ISU and Valparaiso both struggled to 7-6 records during the nonconference season. The Redbirds, picked second in the preseason MVC poll, expected much more with four starters returning but were not competitive in several games, including a 77-56 loss to Central Florida in their last game on Dec. 21.
After taking five days off for the Christmas break, ISU hopes those tough nonconference lessons pay off when it takes on Valparaiso at 7 p.m. at the Athletics-Recreation Center.
“This break has been really good,” said ISU senior Phil Fayne. “These two-a-days (practices starting Thursday) that we've been having have been real good.