[November 22, 2025] Indiana State Sycamores (3-2) vs. Ball State Cardinals (2-2)

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Jason Svoboda

Jason Svoboda

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Indiana State Sycamores (3-2) vs. Ball State Cardinals (2-2)

Hulman Center - Terre Haute, IN
Saturday, November 22nd, 2025
Tip: 7PM EST​
 

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Was just looking through their box scores and realized they're playing small ball over there in Muncie. Nobody bigger than 6'7" and their "center" is a guy we actually kicked the tires on way back in the day but I think he went to Iowa State first -- the Kadyen Fish fella.

I feel like this is a game where someone like Scott and Enel should probably play together at the 4/5.
 
Jason Svoboda said:
Was just looking through their box scores and realized they're playing small ball over there in Muncie. Nobody bigger than 6'7" and their "center" is a guy we actually kicked the tires on way back in the day but I think he went to Iowa State first -- the Kadyen Fish fella.

I feel like this is a game where someone like Cook and Enel should probably play together at the 4/5.
Click to expand...
Cook? Assuming you mean Scott?
 
Since neither of us play before Saturday, checked Haslametrics. They have us predicted as a 82-72 winner. Was also interested to see we're still 4th in the country in pace. Also, something wild, we're 15th in mid-range FG percentage. I can't think of many we've shot -- taking those can get you shot.

haslametrics.com

Haslametrics: A unique approach to college basketball analysis

The goal of Haslametrics is to provide unique statistical insight and to offer predictive analysis based on teams' prior performances in a given season.
haslametrics.com haslametrics.com
 
Jason Svoboda said:
Since neither of us play before Saturday, checked Haslametrics. They have us predicted as a 82-72 winner. Was also interested to see we're still 4th in the country in pace. Also, something wild, we're 15th in mid-range FG percentage. I can't think of many we've shot -- taking those can get you shot.

haslametrics.com

Haslametrics: A unique approach to college basketball analysis

The goal of Haslametrics is to provide unique statistical insight and to offer predictive analysis based on teams' prior performances in a given season.
haslametrics.com haslametrics.com
Click to expand...
I really have no idea what to make of our anlytics so far this season. Are we quietly becoming a defense-first team? If we can defend like we have (top 130 on adjusted defensive efficiency) and can begin scoring the ball like our system allows, we could be pretty decent.

Although, if this is how we're going to shoot the ball for the rest of the season we better be hoping to keep our opponents under 70 points.
 

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favorite non-con game of the year!

Gotta think Vorst is a no-go and JVB will get more run.

If they are a small ball team I don’t see why we can’t go Enel and Scott as our bigs. They seemed way more active down low at the end of the game anyways. As always Walker should be getting more minutes which would also help with going small.
 

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Offense, for this game, was far more efficient when Sterling Young was on the court. It was similarly effective in St. Bernard's 12.5 minutes.


Player...................Minutes......................+/-............................ppm ON Court..........PPM OFF Court
Harding.................24.5.............................+1................................1.38.....................................1.69
Scott........................31...............................+6...............................1.35......................................2.01
Young.....................34...............................+16................................1.61........................................0.87
Wagner..................28.5.............................+5.................................1.62.....................................1.2
Hall............................31..............................+7....................................1.53....................................1.41
St. Bernard.............12.5............................+6...................................2.03....................................1.26
Vorst........................12................................+4..........................................1.53.............................1.49
Alocen....................15...................................-3...................................1.24...................................1.66
JVB.............................9....................................+2..................................1.41..................................1.53
Walker......................2.....................................0........................................0.00..............................1.58
Bean.........................<1/2..............................+1.......................................4.11..............................1.48
 
bluestreak said:
That is a really surprising stat regarding Young. I was cringing every time he touched the ball las night
Click to expand...

To be very honest with you… If you are cringing when Sterling is touching the ball you’re in for a very long season - maybe longer than most of us. Make no mistake Sterling has had his issues early this season but he and Camp are probably our two best players and Young has the highest ceiling of anyone on this roster.

I’d find a way to stop cringing because you’re going to see a lot of him like or dislike.
 
I was definitely harsh yesterday but rethinking on it a bit we will have to find ways to win ugly games like that when we don’t shoot the ball well. I also looked at some of the other games around the league and outside of Valpo everyone had to win ugly. So won’t break the emergency glass yet but the observations still stand of what we seen. Just hope for improvement.
 

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I don’t know if this belongs here or somewhere else but… with St. Bernard having no desire to take a shot wouldn’t it make sense to run some kind of action for him to get a bucket or two at the rim? I like him and his presence on the court but it seems he can only dunk or take shots close to the rim. I’d like to see them get some lobs called for him or possibly get him to cut every once in a while. I believe they were running a lot of “5 out” and he was dead weight in the corner for several offensive possessions.

I know he cleans up the glass and is probably good for a tip in or two. I just think it’s going to be a 4 on 5 situation in the future if coach doesn’t get him involved in offensive sets.
 
It's the morning before game day vs an in-state rival and I have to wonder...

Now that we're over .500 with no more Dukes on the schedule, can we stay over .500 for the rest of the season?
Should the KenPom186 team handily defeat the KenPom267 team at home?
Or will Ball State's .341 three-point percentage vs our .274 percentage be the difference in the game?
Will Jo play more than nine minutes?
Should Markus play more than nine minutes?
If given enough minutes, will Enel dominate the boards?
Or will Ian Scott be our rebounding leader for the fourth game this season?
Speaking of Enel, can't we work his last name of St. Bernard into that Dog persona of which we think of him?
Would it be wise to bench Vorst, to give his ankle a rest?
Why for the love of all that is holy won't our guys slash to the basket more?
And after three years will we finally see Joey Hart on the floor at Hulman Center on Saturday, eh EvilleSycamore?
 
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