The Illinois State men's basketball team is set to compete against Santa Clara and Tulsa during the 2026 Acrisure Series, taking place in Greater Palm Springs. The Redbirds will play Santa Clara on November 23 at 6 p.m. (CT) and Tulsa the following day at 3:30 p.m. (CT). Santa Clara boasts a strong 26-9 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance, while Tulsa finished 30-8, reaching the NIT Championship game. The series showcases 26 games from November 21 to 26, further enhancing its reputation as a premier Thanksgiving college basketball event. Illinois State looks to build on a successful past season, returning key players and several promising newcomers.

By the Numbers
  • Santa Clara's 2025-26 record: 26 wins, 9 losses
  • Tulsa's 2025-26 record: 30 wins, 8 losses
  • Illinois State鈥檚 2025-26 record: 23 wins, 13 losses
State of Play
  • Illinois State returns two players with over 1,000 career points
  • The team received significant contributions from returning leading scorers, including Chase Walker (13.7 ppg) and Johnny Kinziger (11.5 ppg)
What's Next

The Redbirds will continue to prepare for the Acrisure Series, aiming to leverage their returning talent and incoming recruits. Fans can expect exciting matchups as the season progresses.

Bottom Line

The 2026 Acrisure Series presents a significant opportunity for Illinois State to showcase their talent against strong competition, with the potential for establishing their presence in the national collegiate basketball landscape.