2011 – 12 Illinois State Redbirds men 's basketball team represented Illinois State University during the 2011 – 12 NCAA Division I men 's basketball season . The Redbirds , led by fifth year head coach Tim Jankovich , played their home games at Redbird Arena and are members of the Missouri Valley Conference . They finished the season 21 – 14 , 9 – 9 in MVC play to finish in a five way tie for third place . They lost in the championship game of the Missouri Valley Basketball Tournament to Creighton . They were invited to the 2012 National Invitation Tournament where they defeated Ole Miss in the first round before falling in the second round to Stanford
Missouri Valley Basketball Tournament
2012 Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Tournament
2011–12 Illinois State Redbirds men's basketball team