TERRE HAUTE — There’s several reasons why Indiana State’s men’s basketball ship strayed off-course in a 67-61 loss to Murray State on Wednesday. But among the questions facing the Sycamores right now is this: When the ship goes adrift, who can steer it back to a safe harbor?
In it’s way, it’s a question ISU is asking itself as much as anyone is asking of them.
ISU had rebounding woes, defensive breakdowns and offensive confusion in the loss to the Racers — ISU’s first 0-3 start since 2001. ISU still had several chances in the final 10 minutes to take the win, but and there was no player on the floor who could calm the Sycamores down. The result was that all-of-the-above doomed the Sycamores when the game was at hand.
“I thought we got out of our element a few times. We have our play calls. When someone goes off on their own and doesn’t execute that, it leaves everyone else wondering, ‘What’s he doing? What should I do?’ That happened a number of times. That’s why it looked like there was some uncertainty there,” McKenna said. “The bottom line, though, is we’re not getting it done defensively, we’re fouling too much and we’re getting worked inside.”
How acute were ISU’s problems? Murray State outrebounded ISU 38-27 and had 13 offensive rebounds — the third time in as many games that an ISU opponent hit a double-figure offensive rebound total. It led to 15 second-chance points.
ISU shot 40.4 percent overall, but just 28 percent in the second half as the offense wasn’t always run correctly. Murray shot 36.8 percent from the field in the second half, but was far more aggressive, going to the line 21 times after the break, making 17. The Racers were 21 of 29 overall at the line.
McKenna was demonstrably frustrated during moments of the game. After losses, ISU’s players have said the right things about pulling together, working hard on deficiencies, but similar problems keep cropping up. McKenna was asked how he would handle it as a player.
“I’d try to put some pressure on your teammates. We’re the quietest team I’ve ever been around. We don’t push each other in the games, we don’t push each other in practice. We don’t encourage each other to get after it, to compete, to fight. I think we’re back on our heels too much, waiting for something to happen, instead of making something happen,” McKenna said.
ISU center Jay Tunnell was a focus of ISU’s offense, and he led the Sycamores with 12 points, but he didn’t get the ball in his hands nearly as much as ISU wanted. This was due alternately to good Murray defense, but also, the inability to consistently feed him the ball.
Tunnell doesn’t think ISU’s players should be seeking a safe harbor … they’ve been playing together long enough to know where everyone should be.
“It’s hard [to find a safe harbor], but it’s almost December. We’ve been practicing since October and a lot of us were here during the summer. You can’t even really say everyone’s new. Yeah, we’re three games into the season, but most of us have been around for months. Our execution just isn’t there right now,” Tunnell said.
ISU led 35-33 at halftime as its 64.7 percent 3-point shooting covered up some deficiencies that would come home to roost in the second half. Five different Sycamores buried shots from beyond the arc.
Among those who hit ISU’s nine first half 3-pointers was walk-on forward Keenan Barlow, who got his first extended minutes of this career. His first career points came on an early 3-pointer and he went on to notch 11 points and five rebounds, his career bests by a long shot as he was one of the few bright spots for ISU.
“I know being a walk-on, it’s tough getting minutes. When I was called upon, I went as hard as I could. Two minutes, 40 minutes, it doesn’t matter,” said Barlow, son of former Notre Dame star Ken Barlow.
When the market correction came on ISU’s first half shooting, it had the same effect as the global financial crisis. ISU went stone cold to start the second half, making just 3 of 17 from the field in the first 12 minutes of the half.
Murray State (3-1) had taken the lead on a traditional three-point play at 15:15, but it took a 7-0 run ending at the 11-minute mark to help the Racers put a gap between themselves and the Sycamores.
It was 58-51 with 4:44 left when ISU got back in it. ISU finally was able to get the ball to Tunnell somewhat consistently and two free throws plus a 3-pointer pulled ISU within two. When Tyler Cutter stole the ball on Murray State’s next possession, it appeared ISU had momentum.
But the Racers didn’t panic. After a timeout, Cutter made an ill-advised pass near the top of the key was stolen by Isacc Miles. ISU fouled on Murray State’s next two possessions and the Racers crept back to a 61-57 lead.
A Carl Richard lay-up cut ISU’s deficit back to 61-59 with 1:19 left, but ISU couldn’t execute on either end to get over the top. Murray State patiently worked its offense to get Miles the ball at the top of the key. Guarded by Rashad Reed, Miles put a step-fake on Reed, got the space for an open 19-footer and buried it to give the Racers a multi-possession cushion.
Reed compounded ISU’s lot by taking a quick 3-pointer on the other end, Murray State rebounded the miss, and from there, the Racers’ free throw shooters didn’t miss.
ISU has no respite to try and right its ship. The Sycamores travel to DePaul on Saturday, the first of five games in nine days at three sites. Third-ranked Louisville is among the teams ISU will face in that stretch.
“We have to forget about what happened tonight. DePaul doesn’t care what happened to us. If we go up there and we’re not ready to play them … it could be ugly,” Tunnell said.
College
Related Photos
-
Jim Avelis
Discussion
3 the hard way: ISU men fall to 0-3 for first time since 2001
- College
-
-
Indiana State connects on all 12 of its 3-point shots vs. SIU and sets three NCAA records in process
When you’re a shooter and you’re in a slump, the boilerplate cure is to summon amnesia, forget about your struggles and keep on shooting.
-
ISU's Webb wins heptathlon
Indiana State’s Robert Webb captured the heptathlon Saturday at the Grand Valley State Big Meet as he totaled the second most points in ISU history while dominating the event. Webb scored 5,140 points, which is second only to former Sycamore Anthony Bertoli’s 5,189 points in 2008.
Webb, a senior, established three more personal best efforts enroute to the overall victory as he ran 8.45 in the 60 meter hurdles and 2 minutes, 50.73 seconds in the 1,000 meters while also clearing 13-1 1/2 in the pole vault. Webb entered the second day of the event in the lead with 2,893 points after winning three of the four Friday events and setting personal bests in the long jump and shot put. -
Perfect game: ISU shoots NCAA record 12-for-12 from 3-point range in win over SIU
Indiana State set an NCAA record for 3-point percentage and consecutive 3-pointers made Saturday afternoon in Hulman Center, connecting on all 12 attempts during a 78-68 win over Southern Illinois.
-
‘Frustrated’ Sycamores regroup to face Southern Illinois
Indiana State’s men’s basketball struggles have hit one Sycamore senior hard.
-
Thomas nets double-double as ISU women end losing streak
The halftime speech is one of the most time-worn clichés in sports, but once in a while, it’s meaningful. It certainly was for the Indiana State women’s basketball team on Friday against Bradley.
-
Sycamore women looking to snap six-game losing streak
The Indiana State women’s basketball team is in dire need of a victory in Hulman Center this weekend.
Bradley visits Terre Haute tonight looking to sweep the season series from the Sycamores, who are in jeopardy of the program’s first seven-game losing streak since the 1995-96 season.
“I think it should [add to motivation]. There’s no doubt that group in the locker room in there is very disappointed,” Coach Teri Moren said. “As I keep saying, we’re in a rough patch right now, and there’s no group of kids that wants to get right back on track more than they do.” -
Leonard dominates in first half, but IU, Zeller earn the victory
The first half belonged to Illinois’ Meyers Leonard.
The win belonged to Indiana and Cody Zeller.
The 23rd-ranked Hoosiers (19-6, 7-6 Big Ten) took advantage of a glaring free-throw discrepancy to defeat the Illini 84-71 on Thursday. -
Rose women roll; Dickerson becomes all-time assists leader
Rose-Hulman senior Alisa Dickerson became the college’s career leader in assists as the Engineers cruised past Defiance 60-33 in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference women’s basketball Saturday afternoon in Hulbert Arena.
-
MVC’s worst a tantalizing option for ISU
Even though the Indiana State men’s basketball team has played better of late, having won three of its last four games, there’s only one team with a worse record in the Missouri Valley Conference standings than the Sycamores.
-
Sycamores can’t stop Stutz, Shockers
All or nothing. It was that kind of game for Wichita State center Garrett Stutz. Unfortunately for Indiana State’s men’s basketball team, the “all” came in the second half.
-
McWhorter’s fortunes rise with ISU’s
More so than any other Sycamore, Steve McWhorter might embody the decline and the recent rise of the Indiana State men’s basketball team.
-
Johnson dominates again for ISU track
Felisha Johnson continued to dominate women’s weight throw while two Indiana State hurdlers moved into today’s finals after solid performances in the preliminaries Friday at the Meyo Invitational at Notre Dame.
-
Indiana State women lose at Illinois State
Playing short-handed again, Indiana State’s women suffered their sixth straight Missouri Valley Conference basketball loss Friday night, falling 78-67 to host Illinois State.
-
Indiana, Purdue meet with both looking to regain momentum
Indiana University’s stint in the Top 25 may be coming to an end. Purdue is just looking for a winning streak.
-
ISU women looking to end five-game losing streak at Illinois State
Within a few points in the final minutes, Indiana State had chances to win women’s basketball games at Missouri State and Wichita State last weekend.
But the Sycamores lost for the fourth and fifth straight games, also losing freshman Jessica Valley for the season at Wichita State. The promising backcourt player tore the ACL in her right knee and began strengthening exercises this week in order to make plans for surgery. -
ISU Senior Day game to be televised on ESPN
The Missouri Valley Conference announced Thursday that Indiana State’s regular season finale against No. 12-ranked Creighton on Feb. 25 in Hulman Center has been chosen as the MVC’s “wild card” game that will be telecast on either ESPN or ESPN2.
-
Hoosiers load up on in-state players
With a 1-11 record in his first season as IU football coach, Kevin Wilson knew there were a lot of holes to fill in terms of personnel.
- Wabash Valley verbal commitments
-
It’s on: Sycamores, Bulldogs to play at Hinkle on Feb. 18
How badly did Indiana State want to get Butler as its BracketBusters opponent?
-
METRO ROUNDUP: Four from Rose receive weekly honors
Four Rose-Hulman athletes earned Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference weekly honors, the HCAC announced Monday.
-
Hoosiers reclaim needed offensive momentum
Indiana hadn’t allowed an opponent to shoot better than 40 percent in three straight games heading into Sunday’s home game against Iowa.
-
Sycamores will have to match Aces’ toughness
Indiana State men’s basketball coach Greg Lansing has an enduring respect for the toughness Evansville coach Marty Simmons coaxes out of his Purple Aces.
-
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Rose, The Woods post weekend victories
Rose-Hulman relied on a balanced scoring attack and a strong defensive effort to earn a 55-44 women’s basketball victory Saturday over Mount St. Joseph.
-
ISU's Stacia Weatherford sets school record in 60-meter hurdles
Indiana State junior Stacia Weatherford set the school record in the women’s 60-meter hurdles, while sophomore Greggmar Swift dominated the action in the men’s 60 hurdles during competition Saturday at the Indiana Relays.
-
Rose takes first in Engineer Track and Field Invitational
Rose-Hulman relied on nine event victories, 13 top-two finishes and three school records for a strong performance at the ninth annual Engineer Track and Field Invitational on Saturday.
The men’s squad captured first place honors in a meet that featured two of the nation's top 20 NCAA Division III squads and 12 institutions from seven states. The day’s competition also included 10 meet records. -
Mattox’s 31 not enough for ISU women
Indiana State pulled within 63-57 with a 6-0 run with 8 minutes, 50 seconds remaining Friday night at JQH Arena, but the Sycamores lost 84-70 to host Missouri State in a Missouri Valley Conference women's basketball game.
-
Mattox, Sycamores staying positive on road trip to Missouri State, Wichita State
Indiana State seniors Brittany Schoen and Deja Mattox are within striking distance of passing 1,000 points in their women’s basketball careers, and they would join classmate Shannon Thomas in that club. Schoen needs just 16 points, while Mattox is 89 points away.
But Mattox has been on a roll of late, scoring a team-high 15.1 points through ISU’s 4-3 start to Missouri Valley Conference play. -
IU triumphs
When Indiana’s Will Sheehey left the floor after receiving his second technical foul, the Hoosier fans cheered.
-
ISU women nipped at buzzer
Creighton sophomore Carli Tritz — blanketed by Indiana State senior Brittany Schoen — had just two points at halftime Friday in Hulman Center.
-
ISU needs to find chip on its shoulder
When one looks back at the totality of Indiana State’s 2010-11 men’s basketball season, there’s a recurrent theme that tied together the high points in a 20-14 campaign. A recurrent theme that might give ISU a lifeline in what has been a disappointing 2012 season.
- More College Headlines
-
Recording Superstar Whitney Houston Dead at 48
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Maine GOP Chairman Says Romney Wins Caucuses
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
Fans 'Speechless' Over Houston's Death
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Androgynous Model Walks Runway As Man and Woman
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Snow Strands Italian Towns
Latest Jason Wu Collection Shows Chinese Roots
ShowBiz Minute: Madonna, Beresford-Redman, Pawsc
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Rough Seas Stop Oil Removal
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Stars Show Support at AMFAR Charity Gala
The Pits: Israelis Spit Olives for Glory
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Romney Tops Santorum in CPAC Straw Poll
First glimpse of Blue Ivy Carter
Absolute Lin-sanity
Hate to be Rude: Bubba Watson
Peek inside Barbie's closet
Test on Comforter in Powell Unit Shows Blood
Angry Dad Shoots Teens Laptop
Hero Driver Saves Kids From Burning Bus
Funeral to be held for Powell boys
Sandusky on having to stay inside and people turning on him
Woolly Mammoth Caught on Camera?
Did JLo 'Assault' Marc Anthony on Camera?
Christie Brinkley's Runway Slip
Toddler forced to run half-naked in snow
Halle Wants to Leave the Country
Northern Lights shine above earth
Plane makes perfect belly landing
