Sophomore forward Malik Pope will play for Illinois St. and at 6-10 he is going to create some matchup problems. San Diego State will have a freshman point guard and he has his hands full.

He will be matched up with junior guard Paris Lee of the Redbirds. Lee finished last season with 82 steals, which ranked him No. 9 nationally and No. 1 in the MVC. The 82 steals established a new single-season school record and led him to being placed on the MVC All-Defensive Team.

In an exhibition game to Southern Indiana, Lee has just 2-for-11 from the field. Now he takes a big step up. ISU plays an up-tempo game that is much faster than SD State is comfortable with.