Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jim Moldenhauer Anthony Slack and the 'Birds look to improve on last year's 15-16 finish.

The scrimmages and exhibitions are over. After seven months on campus, ISU men's basketball coach Tim Jankovich will finally have a chance to coach the Redbirds in a game that counts.

ISU hosts Missouri-St. Louis on Sunday in the 'Birds' regular season opener. In their only exhibition game, ISU defeated Quincy 82-61.

"We all want to accomplish the same goal. We want to win the Missouri Valley," senior forward Anthony Slack said. "As of now, we're just working hard, coming together as a team and hopefully it all plays out."

ISU was predicted to finish fifth in the MVC Preseason Poll, which is conducted by league coaches, media and sports information directors. It is the first time since the 2002-03 season the Redbirds were picked in the top half of the conference.

Jankovich said he hadn't yet finalized his starting lineup for the opener, but planned on rewarding the players who have shown the best defense.

Just how ready the 'Birds are for the season to get underway is a topic of debate.

"They all understand what they should do and all understand what they shouldn't do," Quincy Head Coach Marty Bell said after Wednesday's game. "I think for this time of year, that's a pretty good spot to be."

But Jankovich said he still has a lot of work to do.

"We are not a good offensive team yet nor do I expect them to be because they've learned an offense for three weeks and it's too early for that...I feel like over time, we've got some different ingredients and we've got some different weapons."

Missouri-St. Louis is a Divison-II team and is a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Last year, they finished 9-18.

The Redbirds, meanwhile, are coming off a 15-16 season.

Tip-off on Sunday is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

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