NORMAL - Illinois State's basketball team has been on quite a run lately. That ends tonight, although the Redbirds' winning streak could still be going strong.

The Redbirds (5-2) have been merrily racing up and down the court while winning five straight games, their longest streak in six seasons. ISU figures to do less running when it entertains Miami (Ohio) in a 7:05 nonconference game at Redbird Arena.

"The last couple games have been really athletic and up-tempo," said ISU coach Porter Moser, whose team is averaging 83.3 points the past three games. "Miami is really going to try and grind it out with you."

Miami (3-4) allows 53.0 points per game while holding opponents to 38.0 percent field goal shooting and 28.1 percent from 3-point range.

"I have so much respect for Miami's program, what they do and what they stand for. Defensively they're just phenomenal," said Moser. "They don't give you much room for error on offense. You've got to be on top of your execution. You can't go through your stuff sloppily. They're going to make you earn every shot."

The RedHawks easily could have the same record as ISU.

Miami lost its opener 57-56 to Wright State on a last-second shot and later fell at Kentucky (57-46) and Xavier (68-53). But the game that really got away was a 51-49 setback to Illinois in the Chicago Invitational Challenge at Hoffman Estates when the RedHawks led for 39 minutes.

"That's the one that will stick with you in April (after the season)," said veteran Miami coach Charlie Coles.

ISU hasn't faced such a halfcourt-oriented team since its season opener against Southern Methodist. SMU used a last-second tip-in to edge the Redbirds 57-55.

"Coach said they will run 25 or 30 different sets in the halfcourt," said ISU junior center Levi Dyer. "They're definitely a halfcourt team. He said we have to keep our game plan and we have to run. They'll want to slow it down and play halfcourt."

While the RedHawks aren't much different style-wise from last season, Coles is worried because ISU has undergone a dramatic change since Miami edged the Redbirds 51-49 on Feb. 18 in an ESPN BracketBusters Game at Oxford, Ohio.

The infusion of junior college transfers Boo Richardson, Dom Johnson and Anthony Slack has made Coles wonder if watching last year's Miami-ISU game on tape was any help.

"They're a lot different. They're a lot quicker. They've got a nice team," said Coles. "Last year they were well coached, but they didn't have the necessary ingredients. It looks like they've got it now."

Dyer, coming off a career high-tying 17 points in an 86-61 rout over Texas-Arlington Saturday, could play a vital role in tonight's outcome.

Sophomore Mike Vandello, usually the first front-court reserve for ISU, re-injured his right shoulder early in the first half against Texas-Arlington and played only six minutes. Dyer tied his season high of 16 minutes after playing only 11 minutes combined in the previous two games.

Moser said Vandello's status is questionable today.

Thank you, Florida State

Florida State's 70-66 upset victory over defending national champion Florida Sunday night was an RPI slam dunk for ISU and the Missouri Valley Conference.

Florida State beat ISU 73-59 at Tallahassee on Nov. 13 before the Redbirds embarked on their current winning streak. The Seminoles are 5-2 with losses on the road at No. 2 Pittsburgh and No. 11 Wisconsin.

"You root for teams like that because your opponents' RPI helps your RPI," said Moser.

The RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) is used to determine strength of teams and conferences by the NCAA and is among the factors considered when selecting teams for the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA isn't expected to officially release its RPI until late January, but RealTimeRPI.com on Monday listed ISU at No. 48 and the Valley third behind the Atlantic Coast and Pac-10 conferences.

Valley update

Drake added another notch to the Missouri Valley's resume with an 80-78 victory at Iowa State Sunday. That came on the heels of No. 10-ranked Wichita State's 64-61 victory at No. 21 Syracuse Saturday.

The Valley is 10-10 against members of BCS football leagues. Northern Iowa gets a chance to up that mark when it travels to play Iowa tonight. Overall, Valley teams are 48-17.

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Miami (Ohio) vs. Illinois State

Time: 7:05 p.m.

Site: Redbird Arena, Normal

Radio: WJBC-AM (1230)

Records: Miami 3-4; ISU 5-2

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Miami (Ohio) vs. Illinois State

Time: 7:05 p.m.

Site: Redbird Arena, Normal

Radio: WJBC-AM (1230)

Television: None

Records: Miami 3-4; ISU 5-2

Series history: Miami leads 4-0 (Miami won 51-49 on Feb. 18, 2006)

Coaches: ISU's Porter Moser has a 41-53 record in his four seasons and a 95-87 record in seven seasons as a head coach. Miami coach Charlie Coles has a 178-130 record in his 11th season with the RedHawks and is 270-214 in 17 years as a head coach.

About the RedHawks: Miami, coming off an 18-11 season in which it advanced to the National Invitation Tournament for the second straight year, was picked to finish fourth in the Mid-American Conference's six-team East Division in a preseason media poll. Nathan Peavy was a preseason all-MAC East Division first-team selection. Alex Moosmann, a freshman point guard, moved into the starting lineup three games ago against Illinois and has a team-high 20 assists with only eight turnovers. Tim Pollitz, a junior forward, and Eric Pollitz, a redshirt sophomore forward, are twins.

Next up: ISU meets Evansville at 2:05 p.m. Saturday at Evansville, Ind.

STARTERS

MIAMI (OHIO)

Player…..Pos……Ht……PPG…..RPG

Nathan Peavy…..F…..6-8…..16.4…..7.3

Tim Pollitz…..F…..6-6…..11.1…..5.7

Monty St. Clair…..C…..6-9…..3.9…..3.9

Michael Bramos…..G…..6-5…..10.1…..3.6

Alex Moosmann…..G…..6-0…..3.9…..1.3

ILLINOIS STATE

Player…..Pos……Ht……PPG…..RPG

Greg Dilligard…..F…..6-8…..10.3…..5.9

Anthony Slack…..F…..6-7…..11.0…..7.4

Roberto Fortes…..G…..6-4…..8.1…..3.4

Dom Johnson…..G…..6-0…..13.4…..2.1

Boo Richardson…..G…..5-8…..12.7…..2.3

Compiled by Jim Benson