Rucker Injured-Former Bulldog Brock Leads UIS

A former Moberly Spartan and Greyhound won’t be in the lineup when Illinois-Springfield visits Truman Thursday night. Will Rucker signed with the Prairie Stars after graduating from the MACC Greyhound program, but hasn’t been able to suit up after sustaining a preseason injury. UIS coach Matt Brock says they could use him….

Brock is hoping Rucker will receive a medical redshirt. The Prairie Stars coach won’t need directions to Pershing Arena. Brock is a graduate of Truman and played on the Bulldogs’ 2006 NCAA Tournament team. This is his first year at Illinois-Springfield, after a top 10 NAIA season at Missouri Baptist last year. Brock gives his scouting report on the Bulldogs…..

Brock’s assistant, Pat Sodemann, was a Truman assistant last year. The Prairie Stars rank 5th in the country in made three-pointers per game (12.5). Coach Jeff Horner says his guys have done a good job defending the arc….

Horner’s Bulldogs are 4-1 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference and 8-5 overall. Illinois-Springfield is 9-4 overall and 2-3 in the GLVC.

In the women’s game, Theo Dean will lead Truman for the first game without the “interim” tag beside his name, having been awarded the head coaching position this week. His Bulldogs will try to make it five wins in a row and six straight victories to start conference play. The UIS women are 6-7 and 1-4 in the GLVC. You can hear the Bulldogs’ doubleheader with the Prairie Stars Thursday night on KRES and centralmoinfo.com starting with the Truman Tipoff at 5:15.