Thoughts on Colorado State vs. Indiana State

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SycamoreStateofMind

SycamoreStateofMind

The Odum Level
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I enjoy posting these home game summaries and I enjoy hearing what the rest of you thought of the game so feel free to weigh in! It sure was nice to get a win tonight, the Rams came out shooting the ball well from the floor - you kind of knew they were going to cool off and they did. Here is my break down:

Jake Kelly: Did some nice things again tonight, he had trouble with his mid range jumper (don't we all expect him to make every shot? lol) He also missed a couple of free throws, kind of confused as to how that happened. But he made some nice moves to the hoop and rebounded the ball fairly well. I think he is going to have a HUGE game soon.

Harry: I felt like he shot the ball a bunch tonight, not that they were bad shots - just that he shot maybe a little to much. I have not looked at the box score yet though (I will check after this). I really like to see Harry get to the rim, it really opens things up for us outside - he needs to do more of that.

Martin: Best game for him in a long time - he really played nice on the def. side of the ball and he rebounded the ball well. He even had a nice little short jumper! I think he needs to be seeing at the very least 10 to 20 mins a game. Do you all agree with that?

Reed: Boy outside of that first basket and a couple of rebounds he was no where to be found tonight! I kept waiting on him to hit a knock down 3 and it never really came. You know the nice thing about this team which we have not had in the past several years - we have many guys that can beat us. If Reed is not scoring then we can bring it with someone else!

Lathan: I can't say enough about this kid - right now it appears that he is the best player on the floor on both sides of the ball. Not to mention he comes off the bench. Oh, did I mention he can really elevate? I was talking to Nate Green (good buddy of mine from when I was a little dude) and he said that from the practices that he has seen, he is really impressed with this kid! He played a very nice all around game tonight!

Printy: At some point he is going to find some open looks - this team needs to a better job on the drive and kick. As a PG you have to be able to find this kid, that is if you want your asst. numbers to go up. Other than the 3 ball he does not bring to much to the table. I mean he doesn't really hurt us or anything like that, just kind of quiet.

Carter: I thought for the short time he was in the game he did a nice job! He hit a big 3 for us - I have been happy with the way he has played to this point and would not mind to see him play about 15mins a game. He has a role on this team for sure!

Koang: Not sure why he didn't see any more mins. than he did - thought he rebounded the ball fairly well when he was in the game (again I should check the box score before I speak) I guess I just like his size and ability to step out and shoot the 3. Can't forget this kid is just a freshman - going to have some growing pains.

Richard: Has shown the ability to step outside and shoot the 3, made one and had one go in and out. He needs to keep hitting the boards hard for us, that needs to be his main focus. He will get his points, again having guys like Kelly, Marshall and Lathan around him will help him score - he does not HAVE to score this year and that is a good thing for all of us.

Brant: Did ok - he does a good job on Def. but tries to do to much on Off. sometimes. Him having the ball in his hands really scares me most of the time. If he would just be stronger with the ball he would be alright!

JC: Didn't do to much tonight - the big man rotation seems to be on a game by game basis. I guess that is something we are going to have to live with this season.

What did you all think of the 5 guard lineup? We saw PF Jake Kelly and C Koang. I thought they did a good job - it was a nice move for us. They make up for size with quickness and athleticism. The Rams coach tried to go big on us when we did that and make us match up with him. However I thought we did a pretty good job rotating to help when they got the ball inside! I want to see more of the 5 guard line ups. These Sycamores are a pretty fun group to watch!
 

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Ok looked at the box score and I can tell you that Koang did not have a rebound, but maybe he made an effort to rebound the ball... LOL Not sure what I saw that made me comment on that!

And if Lathan does not turn the ball over an outrageous 8 times then he has a great game for only playing 24 minutes. I mean you put a line of 18 and 9 rbs in 24 minutes of action and 3 great dunks, you my friend had a heck of a ball game! Just protect the rock a little bit!

We continue to shoot the ball at a decent rate from the FT line, however are 3pt shoot was atrocious for being at home...

Ok that's all - deer hunting in the morning!
 
Morgan said:
Carter: I thought for the short time he was in the game he did a nice job! He hit a big 3 for us - I have been happy with the way he has played to this point and would not mind to see him play about 15mins a game. He has a role on this team for sure!
Click to expand...

I'm disappointed he's not playing more.

Btw Morgan, thanks for the thoughts on the game...nice post.
 
I did not get to see the game tonight unfortunately but from the Live stats broadcast I watched I was mostly impressed by the resiliency of this sycamore squad...they werent having their best night but found a way to beat a not horrible team...I know Colorado State isnt anything to write home about but,this team has proven that even on a not so great night they can find a way to win....
 

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Morgan, did you show up @ the Bally pre-game? I was seated mid-bar talking to some 30 yr. old "grad student" from NC with a black cowboy hat on! Almost convinced me to return to "grad school" @ 58!!!

I took a walk downtown pre-game & toured the Clabber Girl Museum. Really nice touch of history to accent the University/Downtown area. With their antique sleighs and X-mas decorations, a must see for those of you planning on coming into town! Neat lil' coffee/cookie shop affords an opportunity to reflect on times past while amidst the Hulman/Terre Haute legacy.

Stopped by "Nations Book Store"...Thorston Veblen's "theory of conspicuous consumption" got the best of me after peering in the window display and seeing a book by Judy Calvert on the "History of Otter Creek." Another $30 thrown into the TH economy! The Calvert's were good friends of my parents while living in NTH during the early 60's.

Re: the revitalization of downtown TH...boyz, I've never seen things looking SO GOOD! Take a stroll down Wabash Ave...I'm impressed!

Great seats @ HC, thanx to my long-time friend & Theta Chi Fraternity bros., Frank Miklozek. I guess after decades of ISU Varsity Club activity, those lower section H 117 G seats of his are well deserved.

During the game, the ISU students reflected a nice level of enthusiasm. When coupled with the neighboring Sparkettes (nice outfits that again, have an "ISU" sparkle!) and DK's PEP Band (there's one FINELY-TUNED organization!), they lead & cue the environment of HC. I hope we keep winning, 'cause the players seem to dig it!

As I exited HC, I noticed that FINAL GAME stats were being shown on the outer concourse TV screens. Neat idea for stirring "armchair" post-game discussion!

I also visited the ISU Baseball construction site...things are coming along well with the grandstands and dressing rooms. I just wish we could've coerced Duke Energy to place the utility lines underground. RP reflected that plans are for this to occur in the "next" phase.

I bought session tickets for TUESDAY @ Bowling Green for the Pre-NIT. Let's hope ISU wins their opener v. Coastal Carolina on Monday. Games are @ 4:30 & 7:30.
 
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Morgan as far I'm concerned on the player reviews you hit it pretty good. I didn't realize Lathan had so many TO's but I guess all that sticks in your mind was the great dunks..lol. I didn't mind Harry taking the shots he did last night because they were commig when we was on the verge of going down 8-12pts it seemed like...big shots by the senoir. I would like to see him driving to the lane more often. JK played a solid game and knocked down some big game clinching FT's late despite missing some short range shots we expect him to hit. I would still like to see JK play more point. With his ability to break down a defender he would excel at driving the lane and kicking it out or taking it to the rim.

As far as the crowd goes I honestly was a little dissapointed. I realize it was a Friday night game and alot of folks have family plans or whatever but I was expecting a bigger crowd. Still WAY to many lower level empty seats. Why not allow fans to move down to the lower level at halftime?
 
The crowd could have been bigger, but, they were in to it.

Keep in mind that last night was also the Highschool Boys Basketball Jamboree. If that were not going on, I would venture a guess that we would have had an additional 500 people or so.
 
I was glad to see Kelly take more shots in the 2nd half he looked like he decided to be more aggresive. Although his shots didnt fall as well as we expect its good to see him in the flow of things . I still think we need hl\elp in the middle Isiah did play by far the best he played in quite sometime nice to see the big fella get some PT. Lathan can jump thru the roof and the quickness he has will lead to several more nights like tonight. The addition of Larry as well as trying to go live with the team ( need to fix the lighting there) was nice . I can see such a big difference this year from last in the team but also by the fans and the excitement that the building has . Did anyone else see Lansing make the redshirted freshmen get off the bench and go down to watch the team warm up I loved it
 

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If the person eats a pizza and breadsticks in a certain amount of time ( i think ten minutes ) then they serve free pizza at the Bally after the game
 
The pizza is a decent size and the bread sticks don't help much...I don't see anybody getting it done but I'd like to be proven wrong.
 
Quick thoughts on the game...

The Crowd: Fewer numbers than the last Friday Night game... BUT, there was the Vigo Co. High School Jamboree was taking place... and the game was on TV. Bad combination.... BUT, there seemed to be more enthusiasm and noise in the crowd. My daughter commented on the fact that there is more "energy" in the crowd.

The Video: What a great surprise to see Larry in the video... and that ISU Administration listened to suggestions and "Just made it happen" with the live feed. I'm sure that with a few more attempts, the timing on the whole entrance will get even better. It was the best beginning to a basketball game since the women's team started lining the floor with the Sycamore Squad members.

Martin: More minutes than he has had all year... played just as I would expect him to play if given the chance. He was able to shut down their leading scorer.. his feet are MUCH quicker than Brant's. I was really surprised to see him come out of the timeout with 4 fouls.. (His 4th foul was a "silly foul" by Isiah... he did grab his arm, even if he thinks he didn't...

Crawford and Dulouny: Surprised they didn't play at all in the second half (unless I'm mistaken?)

Printy, Carter and Reed: They weren't very active around the 3-point line.. but this team is built so that it isn't required.. that's a good thing. Their time will come.

Marshall: Played within his game most of the time... took one "out of control" shot that was really ill-advised... Turned the ball over a couple of times just from "lack of focus".

Lathan: Other than the turnovers... man, that kid is fun to watch. He can jump out of the gym, and is always looking to steal the ball.... and get into transition. When we are on a fast break, look out! He showed versatility in his fast break too... the dunk wasn't there one time, and he went to the rack under control and just layed it up... Lathan had fans ON THEIR FEET as he was racing ahead in transition... anticipating the dunk. Great to see.

Free Throw Shooting: Will need to knock down the free throws in the close and late situations... a couple of experienced players missed some key FT's that would have put the game away ALOT earlier.... and left the referees out of it.

The Refs: Man... everyone KNEW they were in the house didn't they? Tried to set the tone on Kelly early... called a palm and a travel... the travel was BOGUS.. and the palming happened on both sides of the floor. If you call it on Jake, call it on everyone.
They also let WAY TOO MUCH banging happen under the basket during rebounds. Martin, Richards and Lathan were HAMMERED over and over... with no fouls called.

Sycamore Sam: Great cheerleader again this year! Love the fact that he can throw the shirts, and get it past the first 3 rows... and LOVED the crowd surfing in the student section.

Students: Student section was active... REALLY into the opening of the game... and most were into the whole game.

Team Energy: This team allows the fans to get into the game with them. They provide the effort and the energy to get the crowd going.... anticipation of a big play, and the expectation of a win. That's a good combination.

Half Time: Beer is now served in bottles in the Varsity Club... nice touch!

Really looking forward to this team gelling as the year goes on. Still don't think we are there yet.. but you can see it coming together.

This is a team that people will come to watch.. if they keep winning at home, there will be people in the seats.
 

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We need to stop shooting so many 3-pointers, and we need to get inside to the big guys, so then we can open up the outside shot.
 
jlandrus23 said:
We need to stop shooting so many 3-pointers, and we need to get inside to the big guys, so then we can open up the outside shot.
Click to expand...

When you are playing a four guard set and only have 3 real post players, you don't go inside to the big guys very much. Now I am not saying that getting the ball inside isn't critical because it is, but this team is more of a team that will just have to out shoot people from behind the 3-point line than one that is going be physical on the low post.
 
I think the 3 and the penetration/kickout should be our bread and butter. I've seen a lot of good teams live off of the 3 ball. Right now, I don't think we are doing a good enough job of passing and moving away from the ball. We need to get more open shots for people like Reed, Printy, and Carter. And then go for that long rebound. And FOLLOW YOUR SHOT.
 
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