NORMAL - Coach Tim Jankovich figures Illinois State's basketball team might be one of the last teams in the country to play a home game this season.

The Redbirds haven't exactly been road kill.

ISU improved to 4-0 for the first time in 12 years with Sunday night's 84-70 victory over host Southern Methodist in Dallas. That secured the SMU Tip-Off Classic title for ISU, its first tourney title since 1998, and provides plenty of momentum with six of the next seven games at Redbird Arena, starting with Friday's 6 p.m. game against Nicholls State.

In Jankovich's second season, the Redbirds are developing thick skin on the road. ISU has won 13 of its last 18 games away from Redbird Arena. On opponents' home courts, the Redbirds are 9-4 in that same stretch.

"We're playing together and, as Coach says, we're playing for each other," said ISU junior forward Dinma Odiakosa. "That's what makes it fun."

ISU might be hard pressed to shoot as well at home as it has done on the road thus far this season.

The Redbirds have connected on 46 of 105 attempts from outside the arc for a healthy .438 percentage. The new 3-point line, which was moved out a foot this season to 20 feet, 9 inches, obviously hasn't affected ISU.

Although senior Champ Oguchi exploded for 28 points against SMU, the Redbirds' balance was on display again. The five starters scored in double figures for the third game this season. The only game it didn't happen was against Alabama State when Emmanuel Holloway scored eight points.

"That's a dream team for me when everybody is a threat and a weapon," said Jankovich. "You don't know who might go off. At the same time, they probably have a weak defender on their team and your guy is able to exploit it."

ISU nearly let double-digit, second-half leads slip away in the opener at Wright State and against Alabama State to start the SMU Tip-Off Classic. On Sunday, SMU chopped a 17-point deficit to seven on a couple occasions, but the Redbirds might have learned their lesson in those earlier games.

"I felt against Alabama State they were on the offensive, but even when they (SMU) cut down the lead I felt we were the aggressor and had the game under control," said Oguchi, who was named the tournament's most valuable player.

Jankovich's main worry about the game was ISU's second-half defense. SMU guards Paul McCoy and Derek Williams were able to get inside the lane and attack the basket or kick it out to open 3-point shooters on the perimeter.

"Maybe it was because we were playing our third game in three days and were a little tired," said Jankovich. "Maybe I have to play more guys."

Redshirt likely for Modupe

One guy who probably won't play is Ty Modupe. The freshman forward hasn't played this season and likely will be redshirted to preserve four years of eligibility, although ISU doesn't have to officially announce it. Modupe still will be able to travel on the road and dress for all games.

Two ISU players are still on the mend from surgeries.

Junior forward Bobby Hill (knee) would like to get back into action during this weekend's World Vision Invitational, but that has not been decided. Sophomore guard Alex Rubin (foot) is now in a walking boot, although he is still on crutches, and probably is out until at least late December.

Oguchi gets Valley award

After averaging 18.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in the SMU tourney, Oguchi was named Missouri Valley Conference's Newcomer of the Week.

Oguchi shot 53.6 percent from the field and 55.6 percent from 3-point range in victories over Alabama State, Houston Baptist and SMU.

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World Vision Invitational

AT REDBIRD ARENA

FRIDAY

6 p.m. - Illinois State vs. Nicholls State

8:30 p.m. - UC Santa Barbara vs. Winston-Salem State

SATURDAY

6 p.m. - Illinois State vs. Winston-Salem State

8:30 p.m. - UC Santa Barbara vs. Nicholls State

SUNDAY

1 p.m. - Nicholls State vs. Winston-Salem State

3:30 p.m. - Illinois State vs. UC Santa Barbara