TERRE HAUTE — The Indiana State men’s basketball team doesn’t have a NCAA bracket it can bust into or get busted this weekend as it travels to Wisconsin-Green Bay for its BracketBusters obligation tonight, but it does have one important factor it doesn’t want to “bust.”
Momentum.
And really, that’s the only thing the Sycamores — winners of two in a row with an eight-man rotation — need to protect in an otherwise meaningless game as the BracketBusters weekend inconveniently falls right in the middle of ISU’s effort to finish in the top half of the Missouri Valley Conference.
“We have to approach it with the same kind of intensity. We’ve been playing great with eight players, but we have to think if we can beat them, it’s just going to make us stronger and give us more will and fight for that Illinois State game on Wednesday,” ISU center Isiah Martin said. “We can’t look at it as, ‘this isn’t a conference game, so we don’t need it.’ No, we need every game. This is our first winning season since 2001, we want to make it the best we can.”
Few of the MVC teams are seeing the benefits of the BracketBusters series as far as making a case for the NCAA Tournament is concerned. Only three MVC teams are playing in televised games and since the Valley is the highest-rated participating conference as far as conference RPI is concerned, more often than not, its members stand to have its NCAA chances damaged by a loss more so than boosted by a victory.
Northern Iowa stands to lose more than gain Friday night in its matchup with Old Dominion as a win would merely cement its status as an at-large candidate, while a loss could be damaging. Wichita State, the only other MVC team with a shred of hope of getting a NCAA at-large bid, would certainly see its hopes dashed with a loss at Utah State late tonight, while a win wouldn’t help the Shockers much, if at all.
The rest of the league is stuck playing games with little or no significance.
“I think initially it was geared towards the upper echelon teams getting a marquee win and a marquee RPI bump late in the season,” McKenna said. “Now? You look at it and you’re like, ‘Well, we’re playing another team we could probably schedule home-and-home whenever we want.’ From our standpoint, we don’t like to schedule games against Green Bay, which is kind of difficult to get to, and I’m sure they’re thinking the same thing.”
Green Bay has won three of its last four games, including a 74-57 victory over Cleveland State at home on Tuesday. Green Bay is in third place in the Horizon League, trailing second-place Wright State by a game.
The Phoenix defeated 14th-ranked Wisconsin 88-84 at its home arena — the Resch Center — on Dec. 9. The only common opponent ISU (16-11) and Green Bay (18-10) share is Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Green Bay split its season series with the Panthers, each team winning on its home floor. ISU defeated Milwaukee 76-63 on Nov. 17 at Baton Rouge, La. in the Preseason NIT.
Guard Rahmon Fletcher is Green Bay’s leading scorer at 16.1 points per game. It could be a shootout as the Phoenix are adept at shooting 3-pointers, they have made 39 percent of their 3’s and are 24th in the nation from beyond the arc.
“Our guys know this is a good team we’re facing. They beat Wisconsin earlier in the year, so that should get their attention. The Horizon League is a good league which has a lot of similar type players to what we have. It’s a good opponent for us and we have to have the same level of focus for these guys that we would for a conference opponent. You just want to go out and win all of the rest of the games and this is one of the games.”
Tipoff — 8 p.m. at Resch Center, Green Bay, Wis.
Broadcasts — Radio: WSDM (92.7-FM). Live blog: blogs.tribstar.com/downinthevalley
Last time out — ISU defeated Bradley 75-69 in overtime and Wisconsin-Green Bay defeated Cleveland State 74-57 on Tuesday.
Series — Green Bay leads 1-0. The only previous meeting was in 1994, when Green Bay won 74-53 in Green Bay.
The players
Wisconsin-Green Bay Phoenix (18-10) — G Bryquis Perrine (6-3, Jr., 13.3); G Troy Cotton (6-1, Sr., 11.8); G Rahmon Fletcher (5-10, Jr., 16.1); F Randy Berry (6-9, Sr., 8.5 ppg, 8 rpg) and F Matt Smith (6-7, Fr., 3.6) are possible starters.G Rian Pearson (6-3, Fr., 5.1); G Seth Evans (6-0, Fr., 5.1); F Cordero Barkley (6-5, Sr, 4.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg); F Pat Nelson (6-9, Sr., 2.4) are key contributors off the bench.
Coach — Tod Kowalcyk (132-109, 8th year)
Indiana State Sycamores (16-11) — G Jordan Printy (6-4, So., 7 ppg); G-F Aaron Carter (6-4, Jr., 6.2); G Rashad Reed (6-1, Sr., 10.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg); F Carl Richard (6-5, So., 8.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and C Josh Crawford (6-11, Sr., 3.8 ppg, 1.1 bpg) are possible starters. F Koang Doluony (6-8, Fr., 3.5 ppg); C Brant Leitnaker (6-10, Jr., 3.1) and C Isiah Martin (6-8, Jr., 3.4 ppg, 1 bpg) are key contributors off the bench.
Coach — Kevin McKenna (42-48 at ISU, 3rd year; 131-81 overall, 7th 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.
Keys to the game
n Stay focused. There’s not a whole lot riding on the game, but ISU must maintain its crispness as it goes into a crucial stretch of MVC games next week.
n Defend man-to-man. ISU won’t likely be able to play much 2-3 zone against the 24th best 3-point shooting team in the nation, so it will need to be disciplined man defense or mix in different zone looks.
Tidbit — ISU has not played a game in the state of Wisconsin since Dec. 9, 1997 when ISU defeated Wisconsin-Milwaukee 74-62.
Next games — ISU plays at Illinois State on Wednesday and Green Bay plays at Illinois-Chicago on Thursday.
— Todd Golden
College
Can Sycamores continue to fly?
Maintaining recent momentum key in today’s BracketBusters game at Green Bay
- 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
-
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Fans 'Speechless' Over Houston's Death
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
Recording Superstar Whitney Houston Dead at 48
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Maine GOP Chairman Says Romney Wins Caucuses
Snow Strands Italian Towns
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
Latest Jason Wu Collection Shows Chinese Roots
ShowBiz Minute: Madonna, Beresford-Redman, Pawsc
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Raw Video: Rough Seas Stop Oil Removal
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
The Pits: Israelis Spit Olives for Glory
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Exclusive Video - Whitney's Bodybag
Girl rescued after avalanche buries village in Kosovo
Whitney's Final Days - EXCLUSIVE
Raw Video: Aurora Borealis As Seen From Space
First glimpse of Blue Ivy Carter
Lusetich: AT&T Rd. 3 recap
Peek inside Barbie's closet
Romney Tops Santorum in CPAC Straw Poll
Madonna's Daughter Shaves Head
Angry Dad Shoots Teens Laptop
Absolute Lin-sanity
Test on Comforter in Powell Unit Shows Blood
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
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Woolly Mammoth Caught on Camera?
Did JLo 'Assault' Marc Anthony on Camera?
Christie Brinkley's Runway Slip
