NORMAL - When Tim Jankovich got to work on Monday morning, he quickly ran from his car to Redbird Arena to escape the cold. OK, it was probably a jog. | ISU vs. Northern Iowa game preview | ISU football hires Don Shula's grandson

Whatever, Illinois State's basketball coach did see a sight that warmed him up.

"A number of students were camping out (for tickets)," he said. "That's awesome. They're tougher than I am."

Jankovich and his players believe a hardy - and boisterous - crowd Tuesday could help keep the Redbirds' hopes alive for a Missouri Valley Conference title. ISU (22-6) starts a different kind of finals week when it entertains Valley co-leader Northern Iowa at 7:05 on Senior Night at Redbird Arena.

ISU sits at 11-5 in the Valley, a game behind UNI and Creighton in the league standings. As luck would have it, the Redbirds close the regular season at Creighton on Saturday. Creighton travels to last-place Missouri State Tuesday.

Two victories would give ISU at least a share of the Valley title for the first time since 1998. The Redbirds likely would be the No. 1 seed for next week's league tournament in St. Louis, too.

"Like most teams, home-court advantage is huge," said senior Brandon Holtz. "Every person you have cheering for you is like having another person on the court."

As of 5 p.m. Monday, ISU officials said there were about 2,500 tickets (including those for students) left for the game.

"Seeing the crowds here against Bradley and Creighton really elevates us to another level," said senior Champ Oguchi. "To make a long story short, please come out."

Jankovich said noisy atmospheres at places such as Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium, Kansas' Allen Fieldhouse and New Mexico's "Pit" contribute to those teams' lofty home winning percentages.

"Sometimes I don't think fans realize how much of an impact they can play when they really want to on the outcome of a game," said Jankovich. "It makes (players) faster, gives them more stamina and makes them quicker to the ball.

"We've had that at times. If we could really turn it up (tonight), it would certainly help us."

Tuesday will be the final Redbird Arena appearances for Holtz, Oguchi, Emmanuel Holloway and Brandon Sampay. Jankovich hinted all four seniors could start.

ISU didn't think it would be in this position after losing its only home game this season to Indiana State, 75-73 in overtime, on Feb. 8.

But UNI (18-10), which won 11 straight Valley games after losing its opener, has dropped three of its last four league games.

Suddenly, Creighton and ISU were in the chase again.

"The key for us is to find that 40 minutes of consistent play at both ends that we had for six straight weeks," said UNI coach Ben Jacobson, whose team finishes at home Saturday against Evansville. "I haven't seen a dent in their confidence."

ISU and UNI are coming off BracketBuster losses in New York. The Redbirds fell at Niagara on Friday, while UNI lost to Siena the next day. At least, ISU had an extra day to rest. UNI didn't return home until about 8:30 p.m. Saturday and left again Monday afternoon for the Twin Cities.

It would have been difficult to draw up the winner-take-all scenario that has developed this week.

"I asked the guys, at the beginning of the season if I said you have two games for the whole thing would you sign up for it, and everyone said yes," said Jankovich. "Of course, I did not say who you would be playing."

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Northern Iowa vs. Illinois State

When: 7:05 p.m. today

Where: Redbird Arena, Normal

Records: Northern Iowa 18-10, 12-4 MVC; ISU 22-6, 11-5

Broadcast: WJBC-AM (1230); WJEZ-FM (98.9)