Omaha, Neb. — Indiana State’s 76-70 loss to Wichita State was the best-case scenario for the shorthanded Sycamores in every respect except the final result.
It was the first test for the eight-man Sycamores, and though they didn’t pass in the win column, they didn’t fail at much.
However, as the Sycamores get ready for the back end of their two-game swing trip tonight at Creighton, the question must be asked … how much of what the Sycamores did well is sustainable considering they shot lights-out against the Shockers? What did the Sycamores do well that will translate in a 40-percent shooting performance as well as it did in what was a near-60-percent shooting night (ISU finished at 54 percent after slumping from the field late) against WSU?
“We figured out as the game went along we were more and more comfortable with guarding their stuff in our zone. We were talking better and moving better. Our team togetherness was good, they fought hard and played hard. They had good effort, it was just frustrating to fall short like that, but I like everything about the character and resiliency they’ve shown,” ISU coach Kevin McKenna said.
The numbers game is going to be against ISU (14-10, 6-7) for the remainder of the season, but especially so against Creighton as the Bluejays regularly go 12 deep. Creighton also likes to press, something the Sycamores are likely going to see from most of their foes for the remainder of the season given the paucity of Sycamore bodies available.
Fatigue was definitely a factor in the loss to the Shockers, who pressed for most of the game, with the Sycamores looking the worse for wear in the final 10 minutes of the game.
ISU’s players are just going to have to get used to it. Every remaining team on the schedule is going to try and follow the blueprint WSU used.
“I think coach does a good job of resting guys when they need to be rested and saving guys for the rest of the game,” ISU forward Koang Doluony said. “We just have to stay composed when we’re under the pressure and the coaches can handle the rest.”
Fatigue management has become one of McKenna’s most important jobs.
“We have to pick our spots when we want to run. We slow the game down with running some zone and slow it down with some pressing action. What we talk about is how we want to play, how we want to control the tempo and not let [the opponent] dictate the flow of the game,” McKenna said. “I felt for the most part we did that at Wichita, but it kind of got away from us. Their pressure got to us, we got a little sped up, they got some turnovers. That’s how Creighton plays.”
“We got fatigued, we got a little tired, especially on the rebounding end of it. It’s just something we have to fight through to have our guys come through in the end,” he added.
Creighton has played without swingman P’Allen Stinnett, who was suspended indefinitely by Creighton coach Dana Altman on Jan. 25. Even though Stinnett was a preseason all-MVC first-teamer, his absence hasn’t been felt that much by the Bluejays. Stinnett’s replacement, freshman Josh Jones, has averaged more points since getting regular minutes than Stinnett did before he was suspended.
Creighton is coming off of a 70-52 loss at Missouri State. Having been on Creighton’s staff for nine seasons, McKenna knows Altman will have the Bluejays ready. Though Creighton (12-12, 7-6) is just .500 overall, the Bluejays have lost just once at Qwest Center.
“They didn’t play at Missouri State ... everyone in Omaha is telling me that,” McKenna said. “My expectation is they’ll be fired up and ready to play hard.”
• Doluony goes home — Doluony never got the chance to play at Omaha’s Qwest Center when he was a high school player at Millard West, Doluony’s alma mater, located on Omaha’s suburban west side. Now, not only does Doluony get his chance to play in the biggest arena in his adopted home state but he will get significant minutes and might start as he did at Wichita State on Saturday.
“It feels really good. This is one of the reasons why I wanted to play at a Valley school for coach. A lot of friends and family are coming to see me play, but I have to treat it like any other game. First things first, we need to get the win, but I’m happy to be playing at home,” Doluony said.
Doluony started against the Shockers and played a career-high 21 minutes. He had five points and tied a career high with six rebounds. Creighton’s style of play better matches Doluony’s skill set, so he might play even more on his home floor.
“We played very well as a team at Wichita, we just need to box out and rebound and keep up the intensity and we’ll be all right,” Doluony said.
ISU at Creighton
Tipoff — 8 p.m. at Qwest Center, Omaha, Neb.
Broadcasts — Radio: WSDM (92.7-FM). Live blog: tribstar.com/sports
Last time out — ISU lost to Wichita State 76-70 and Creighton lost to Missouri State 70-52 on Saturday.
Series — Creighton leads 48-23. ISU defeated the Bluejays 70-64 on Jan. 1. ISU has not swept Creighton since 1993.
The players
Indiana State Sycamores (14-10, 6-7) — G Jordan Printy (6-4, So., 6.7); G Rashad Reed (6-1, Sr., 9.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg); F Koang Doluony (6-8, Fr., 3 ppg); F Carl Richard (6-5, So., 7.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg); and C Brant Leitnaker (6-10, Jr., 3.2) are possible starters. G-F Aaron Carter (6-4, Jr., 5.4); C Josh Crawford (6-11, Sr., 4 ppg, 1.2 bpg) and C Isiah Martin (6-8, Jr., 3.4) are key contributors off the bench.
Coach — Kevin McKenna (40-47 at ISU, 3rd year; 129-80 overall, 7th year).
Creighton Bluejays (12-12, 7-6) — G Antoine Young (6-0, So., 5.6); F Justin Carter (6-4, Sr., 9.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg); G Daryl Ashford (6-4, Jr., 8.3); F Casey Harriman (6-5, Jr., 3.4); and F-C Kenny Lawson Jr. (6-9, Jr., 12.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg) are possible starters. G Cavel Witter (6-0, Sr., 7.6); G Josh Jones (6-2, Fr., 3.7); F Kaleb Korver (6-5, Jr., 2.2); F Wayne Runnels (6-6, Jr., 4.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg); and F Ethan Wragge (6-7, Fr., 6.4) are key contributors off the bench.
Coach — Dana Altman (321-172 at Creighton, 16th year; 404-239, 21st year).
Injuries — For ISU, G Jake Kelly (knee) is out for the season. G Harry Marshall (foot) and F Dwayne Lathan (hand, ankle) are out. For Creighton, G P’Allen Stinnett (suspension) is doubtful.
Keys to the game
• Keep an even keel. ISU played extremely well at Wichita State, but it has to meld the confidence gained via that with the reality that the Sycamores are unlikely to shoot well over 50 percent every time out as the they did against the Shockers.
• Don’t let the pace get away. Wichita State pressed ISU into exhaustion on Saturday, a plan nearly every opponent will mimic. Creighton presses anyway, so ISU has to pace the just game just right to have life at the end of it, especially considering that the Bluejays go 12-deep.
Tidbit — ISU coach Kevin McKenna is 2-3 against Creighton coach Dana Altman.
Next games — ISU plays host to Drake and Creighton plays host to Illinois State on Saturday.
— Todd Golden
College
Shorthanded Sycamores face the pressure again
ISU plays at Creighton tonight
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