Sycamore624
The Wade Level
SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Freshman forward Isiah Martin will get a chance to contribute. He can score inside and outside. Guard Lamar Lee didn't play as a high school senior after a transfer. He was Kevin McKenna's first signee and once orally committed to Evansville. He may get a chance to reduce the burden on Moore at point guard.
KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: The Sycamores face difficult road games at Butler and Purdue. Winning those would send a major signal. Let's look at a road trip to Tulane as more reasonable measure. Tulane is picked in the middle of Conference USA. That is the kind of game Indiana State needs to win, if it is going to push ahead in the MVC.
PROGRAM DIRECTION: McKenna faces an uphill battle rebuilding the Sycamores. Indiana State ranks behind the Valley powers in fan base and athletic deparment support. Terre Haute is one of the Valley's smallest markets. When programs with more resources are doing the right thing, it will be tough for the Sycamores to compete.
It's hasn't been that long, however, since Indiana State hung around the top of the Valley. The Sycamores went to the NCAA Tournament in 2000 and 2001. That performance has been the aberration for the Sycamores since Larry Bird departed.
McKenna knows the Valley and knows how to win the Creighton way. Can he do it without Dana Altman and an assist from a sold-out NBA-quality arena?
PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Gabe Moore, SG Marico Stinson, SG Cole Holmstrom, PF Adam Arnold and C Jay Tunnell.
ROSTER REPORT:
Moore ranks No. 6 on the school's career steals list with 138. He is 11th in assists with 303.
Walk-on guard Harry Marshall turned into a useful player for the Sycamores. He played in all 31 games and started eight.
Firing Waltman cost Indiana State at least one recruit. Clayton Vette, a 6-foot-9 forward named Iowa's Mr. Basketball, asked for a release from his commitment to Indiana State and switched to Iowa State. You can't blame Sycamore fans for jealously watching Iowa State box scores this season.
KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: The Sycamores face difficult road games at Butler and Purdue. Winning those would send a major signal. Let's look at a road trip to Tulane as more reasonable measure. Tulane is picked in the middle of Conference USA. That is the kind of game Indiana State needs to win, if it is going to push ahead in the MVC.
PROGRAM DIRECTION: McKenna faces an uphill battle rebuilding the Sycamores. Indiana State ranks behind the Valley powers in fan base and athletic deparment support. Terre Haute is one of the Valley's smallest markets. When programs with more resources are doing the right thing, it will be tough for the Sycamores to compete.
It's hasn't been that long, however, since Indiana State hung around the top of the Valley. The Sycamores went to the NCAA Tournament in 2000 and 2001. That performance has been the aberration for the Sycamores since Larry Bird departed.
McKenna knows the Valley and knows how to win the Creighton way. Can he do it without Dana Altman and an assist from a sold-out NBA-quality arena?
PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Gabe Moore, SG Marico Stinson, SG Cole Holmstrom, PF Adam Arnold and C Jay Tunnell.
ROSTER REPORT:
Moore ranks No. 6 on the school's career steals list with 138. He is 11th in assists with 303.
Walk-on guard Harry Marshall turned into a useful player for the Sycamores. He played in all 31 games and started eight.
Firing Waltman cost Indiana State at least one recruit. Clayton Vette, a 6-foot-9 forward named Iowa's Mr. Basketball, asked for a release from his commitment to Indiana State and switched to Iowa State. You can't blame Sycamore fans for jealously watching Iowa State box scores this season.