NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State Basketball Coaches Show, presented by The O'Brien Auto Team, featuring Illinois State head men's basketball coach Ryan Pedon and women's basketball head coach Kristen Gillespie will air tonight live from Rob Dob's Restaurant and Bar in Bloomington.  

Fans unable to attend the show can listen on WJBC 1230 AM, the Varsity Network, and on GoRedbirds.com., as Pedon and Gillespie recap last week's action and look ahead in MVC play this week.  

Head women's basketball coach Kristen Gillespie's segment of the show, hosted by Greg Halbleib, starts at 6 p.m. Gillespie will be joined by senior guard Caroline Waite, who surpassed 1,000 career points in the Redbird win over Evansville on Saturday. She led Illinois State with a game-high 14 points in the victory, knocking down 4+ threes for the second time this season.  

The Redbirds (8-6, 2-1 MVC) are unbeaten in the new year, after home wins over Indiana State, 96-69, and the Purple Aces, 79-55, last week at CEFCU Arena. Sophomore Nevaeh Thomas led Illinois State with double doubles in both performances, averaging 18.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game last week. That includes a career-high 25 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Indiana State, her second 20-point & 10-rebound double-double this season and the first by an MVC player in league play this year.  

Head men's basketball coach Ryan Pedon's portion of the show follows at 6:45 p.m., hosted by John Fitzgerald and Mike Matthews. Pedon will be joined this week by freshman Cade Norris. He has appeared in nine games as a rookie this season for Illinois State, including season-highs of 5 points and 24 minutes against Southern Illinois on Sunday. As a senior at Hillard Bradley high school, the Ohio native averaged 17.4 points per game en route to being named First Team Division I All-State.  

The Redbird men (10-5, 2-2 MVC) are also unbeaten in 2025, after wins over Murray State, 74-68 on the road, and Southern Illinois, 85-54 inside CEFCU Arena Sunday, last week. The Redbirds never trailed in either contest, including the dominating win over the Salukis where Illinois State shot over 60 percent from the field. Sophomore Johnny Kinziger averaged 17.0 points per game in the two wins for Illinois State. Meanwhile, Jordan Davis notched his first-career double-double with 13 points and 10 boards against the Salukis.  

Fans are invited to watch Monday's show live at Rob Dob's. However, for those unable to attend the show in person, it will be broadcast live on WJBC 1230 AM, the Varsity Network, and on the Illinois State Athletics Facebook page. 

Occurring weekly (with a few exceptions because of game and travel schedules), the 2025 basketball coaches show schedule and location will be as follows: 

Jan. 13 – Avanti's (407 S Main Street, Normal)   

Jan. 20 – Rob Dob's 

Jan. 27 – Avanti's 

Feb. 3 – Rob Dob's  

Feb. 10 – Avanti's   

Feb. 17 – Rob Dob's 

Mar. 3 – Avanti's 

Mar. 10 – Rob Dob's 

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