Dan Muller's Redbirds open Missouri Valley Conference play against Creighton on Wednesday. (Photo by Laura Ewan/WJBC)

By Eric Stock 

BLOOMINGTON - Illinois State men's basketball coach Dan Muller is making the media rounds pitching his team to fans in hopes of bringing more of them to Redbird Arena.

The first-year coach is hoping for a big crowd when the Redbirds host No. 12 Creighton in ISU's first home game of the Missouri Valley Conference season.

"We would love an unbelievable crowd. It should be an exciting game. They can really score. We can really score," Muller said. "Two high levels teams playing Wednesday night and Saturday (against Northern Iowa), so what better way to come to bring in the New Year than come watch a couple of games at Redbird Arena."

The Redbirds (9-4) opened MVC play with a 77-75 loss at Indiana State on Sunday.

Creighton, the preseason league favorite, is 12-1 with wins over Wisconsin, Arizona State, Nebraska and California.

PODCAST: Listen to coach Muller's interview with Patti Penn on WJBC.

Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.