Redbirds to Host Wildcats in Historic Exhibition
On October 18, 2026, the Illinois State Redbirds will open their season against the Northwestern Wildcats in a non‑conference exhibition that marks the first meeting between the two programs in over a decade. The contest is part of a home‑and‑home arrangement that began last season, when the Wildcats traveled to Normal and secured a 100‑65 victory, outshooting the Redbirds 11‑of‑22 from three‑point range.
A Father‑Son Legacy on the Hardwood
For Northwestern head coach Chris Collins, the game will be more than a routine warm‑up; it will be the first time he coaches on a court named after his late father, Doug Collins, a Hall of Fame player and former NBA coach. The dedication adds a poignant narrative to a matchup that already carries the weight of recent roster upheaval.
Both programs have been reshaped by the transfer portal. Northwestern entered the exhibition after losing NBA draft prospect Nick Martinelli and four of their top five scorers from the previous season, while the Redbirds managed to retain two starting players, Johnny Kinziger and Chase Walker, providing a rare continuity for Illinois State.
The contrast in recent performance adds intrigue. Northwestern is coming off its first losing season since 2021‑22, finishing 15‑19, whereas Illinois State is riding the momentum of its best campaign in nearly a decade, a surge that has reignited optimism in Normal.
Fans can expect a clash of styles as the Wildcats attempt to translate their shooting prowess into a new‑look lineup, while the Redbirds will look to leverage the experience of their returning starters in front of a crowd that will surely be buzzing about the Collins legacy.