NORMAL, Ill. (Interstat) — A surging Illinois State looks to rebound from a rare conference setback when it hosts in-state foe Illinois-Chicago in a Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball matchup Saturday at Redbird Arena.

The Redbirds (12-4, 3-1 MVC) saw a five-game winning streak snapped with a 77-71 loss at Valparaiso on Wednesday. Despite the defeat, Illinois State remains among the conference leaders, bolstered by a potent offense averaging 77.6 points per game. Guard Johnny Kinziger has been a consistent catalyst, scoring in double figures in five of his last seven contests, including a 17-point effort in the midweek loss.

They face a Flames squad (6-10, 1-3) coming off one of its best performances of the season, a 70-57 home victory over Southern Illinois. UIC guard Andy Johnson led the way with 14 points and four assists, continuing a stretch of solid play. Over his last eight games, Johnson is averaging 11.6 points and 3.4 assists.

The Flames’ season, however, has been defined by inconsistency, particularly in close games. Five of their ten losses have come by six points or fewer, including narrow defeats to Belmont (87-84) and Murray State (81-77). Their offense can be explosive, as shown in a 102-point outing against Illinois Tech, but has also been held under 60 points twice.

Illinois State has dominated at home, posting an 8-1 record at Redbird Arena this season with an average margin of victory of 24 points in those wins. Their defense, allowing just 65.9 points per game, will be tested by a UIC team that has shown recent offensive sparks.

The Redbirds’ interior presence, led by forward Chase Walker who scored 20 points against Valparaiso, will be a key matchup against a Flames frontcourt seeking more reliability. For UIC, sustaining the defensive intensity that held Southern Illinois to 57 points will be critical against a more balanced Illinois State attack.

This contest is the first of two regular-season meetings between the programs this season, with the rematch scheduled for Feb. 15 in Chicago.