Illinois State University Basketball fans traveled to the Enterprise Center in St. Louis a few weeks ago in order to support the Red Birds’ Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams.
Now, ISU fans are able to cheer on the Red Bird’s with NIT and WNIT post-season games.
For Illinois State Guard Boden Skunberg, some of the loudest fans in the room are the one’s he knows best.
“We’re from North Dakota, and when we show up, ad some of his other people from North Dakota, he just comes on fire.” Skunber’s uncle Cody Musland said.
“I mean he’ll make four three’s in a row and bring him back in the game and win the game and that’s why it’s so important. I think he just enjoys the support just like every other player does.” Musland said.
And they say that Skunburg knows just how much that support matters.
“One thing that Boden had said to me, he told me that there’s nothing like the feeling of having the crowd, in your fingertips, like he can control the game with what he does,” Skunburg’s girlfriend Brielle Kallberg said.
“If you’ve watched him play, then he proves that to be right.” Kallberg said.
However, it is not just Redbird fans who are packing the arena.
“I think it’s the energy of the tournament,” UNI fan Mike Murray said. “I think there is something for everyone that’s here. We can be fans of different teams, but we’re still sharing a common goal, right? We want our team to win. That’ll bring people together.”
If you were unable to travel for the Missouri Valley Conference, do not worry.
The Redbirds will face the Wildcats during the WNIT Super 16 game this Friday, at 6:30pm at CEFCU Arena.