NORMAL -- One percent might not sound like a lot. Yet it says a whole lot about the commitment of Illinois State's basketball team to defense.

The Redbird coaching staff used to have a goal of holding opponents to 39 percent field goal shooting in a game. The number has been lowered to 38 percent this season.

"If we can reach 38 percent, we can make a deep run not only in the regular season, but in the (Missouri Valley) conference tournament," said ISU junior guard Alex Rubin. "You're not going to hit shots every night."

The Redbirds allowed Southern Illinois Edwardsville to shoot 41.7 percent in a season-opening 82-60 victory last Sunday. ISU will try to attend the 38-percent mark in Saturday's 4:05 p.m. home opener against North Florida (1-1) at Redbird Arena.

Coach Tim Jankovich said the Redbirds "need to" become a dominant defensive team this season as it breaks in several newcomers.

"We absolutely have the ability to do it physically, but part of being a great defender is recognition and awareness," said Jankovich. "Those are normally ingredients of experience. We have to make up for a lot of inexperience, and hopefully our learning curve will move quickly. In the long run ... our success will rest on that more than anything else."

The Redbird line of defense is led by guard Osiris Eldridge and forward Dinma Odiakosa. The two seniors were named to the all-Valley Defensive Team last season when ISU held opponents to 41.4 percent shooting. The Redbirds attained the 39-percent standard 12 times when undersized Champ Oguchi was forced to guard opposing power forwards.

Tony Lewis and Jackie Carmichael, along with Kellen Thornton, bring some needed muscle up front to help Odiakosa this season.

Rubin also hopes he can play a big part in making ISU a better defensive team. He only played the last five minutes of the opener after suffering a concussion four days earlier in an exhibition game.

"I can be one of the top other defenders on the team and make open shots," said Rubin. "We have great offensive players. I can be one of the hard-nosed guys that can get the ball when you need it and hit the open shot if O or Dinma are double teamed."

Jankovich said he is a long way from determining how ISU's rotation is going to play out this season. Rubin and the other players realize competition for playing time will be stiff.

"There's a comfort for any coach in having experienced players back. Certainly Alex is a comfort to me," said Jankovich. "He's played a number of big games and played quality minutes. He's a great competitor and a tough kid."

Rubin believes the Redbirds can be as good defensively as the 2006-07 season. He was a freshman when Boo Richardson, Dom Johnson and Anthony Slack helped hold opponents to 40.5 percent shooting.

"We definitely have the athleticism and smarts to get back to that level," said Rubin.

Thomas first ‘Ambassador': Richard Thomas will return to Redbird Arena Saturday as the first former ISU player to take part in the Redbird Ambassador program instituted this season by the athletic department.

Thomas, a four-year starter from 1990-93, will be available for autographs and photographs 30 minutes before tipoff on the east concourse of Redbird Arena. He will be honored during a media timeout.

Home opener

North Florida at Illinois State

Time: Saturday, 4:05 p.m.

Broadcasts: WJBC-AM (1230), WJEZ-FM (98.9)

Redbird essentials

North Florida vs. Illinois State

Time: 4:05 p.m.

Site: Redbird Arena, Normal

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

Records: North Florida 1-1; ISU 1-0

Series history: First meeting

About the Ospreys: North Florida is a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference and eligible for the NCAA Tournament for the first time after a four-year reclassification process from Division II. Matthew Driscoll is in his first year as head coach after serving as a Baylor assistant for six years. The Ospreys, whose campus is in Jacksonville, return four starters from last season’s 8-22 squad, but of those only Stan Januska has started the first two games. Senior guard Eni Cuka averaged a team-high 13.2 points last season. After losing its opener at Notre Dame, 86-65, the Ospreys won their home opener Wednesday against Savannah State, 57-46.

Next up: Monday at Illinois-Chicago, 7 p.m.

Prediction: Illinois State 74, North Florida 57

Probable starters

(Scoring, rebounding averages)

NORTH FLORIDA

F – David Jeune, 6-6, Fr. (5.5, 3.0); Andy Diaz, 6-7, Fr. (7.0, 5.0); G – Brad Haugabrook, 6-0, Jr. (5.5, 3.0); Jerron Granberry, 6-4, Fr. (14.5, 2.0); Stan Januska, 6-6, Sr. (10.0, 3.5).

ILLINOIS STATE

F – Dinma Odiakosa, 6-8, Sr. (10.0, 8.0); Tony Lewis, 6-7, Jr. (10.0, 11.0); G – Osiris Eldridge, 6-3, Sr. (19.0, 2.0); Lloyd Phillips, 5-10, Sr. (14.0, 3.0); Austin Hill, 6-1, Jr. (9.0, 3.0).