Illinois State (3-1, 2-1 D1) vs. McNeese (2-2, 1-2 D1) – 3:00 PM ET (ESPN+)
There are a lot of exempt games to choose from today, but the UTR Game of the Day goes to the US Virgin Islands for the opening round of the Paradise Jam that features the Illinois State Redbirds and the McNeese Cowboys. McNeese has been a slight disappointment coming out of the gate – they missed chances at solid wins against South Dakota State (albeit on a neutral floor in name only) and Alabama. Nonetheless, they are a potential favorite to win the Paradise Jam. Former Providence guard Alyn Breed leads the Cowboys with 17.5 points a game through their first four games.
Illinois State’s season got off to a bad start with a 2-point loss at home against UT-Martin, but the Redbirds have rebounded with 3 straight wins, notably a 9-point win at North Dakota State and a double-digit win against preseason MAC favorite Ohio. Dalton Banks led the Redbirds with 23 points in their win against OU.