3 things to know about Illinois State ahead of Thursday’s NIT semifinal against Auburn

Illinois State and Auburn were in two different places on Selection Sunday. Coach Steven Pearl and Auburn were gutted when the NCAA tournament selection committee left them out of the field . “When I told the guys of our intention to play in the NIT, just being totally transparent, it was difficult because all year our sights had been set on making the (NCAA) tournament and trying to make a run,” Pearl said.

At Illinois State, coach Ryan Pedon sent his team home for nearly a week after an early exit in the Missouri Valley Conference quarterfinals. With the MVC tournament taking place a week before Selection Sunday, it was a rare opportunity for the players to clear their heads. The Redbirds didn’t know if the NIT would include them, but Pedon called everyone back to campus for practice in the days leading up to Selection Sunday.

“Once we got that call that we were going to make it, we were all excited. We knew we had a chance to prove ourselves,” guard Johnny Kinziger said. Despite the opposing emotions heading into the NIT, both teams have rattled off three consecutive wins to set up an NIT semifinal matchup Thursday.

Auburn (20-16) versus Illinois State (23-12) will tip off at 8:30 p. m. from Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.