Rose-Hulman forward Spencer Harlan played at Hulman Center several times as a Terre Haute South Brave. He figured those would be his only chances to take to the Hulman Center hardwood.
He is very glad he was wrong about that.
“It means a whole lot. It means so much. I never thought I’d be back here, to be honest, but it’s an awesome experience,” Harlan said.
For the first time since 1932, Division III Rose-Hulman — whose campus is about five miles east down U.S. 40 from Indiana State’s campus — will take on the Division I Sycamores in men’s basketball tonight.
It’s “just” an exhibition game for both teams, but it’s an exhibition with an obvious difference.
“I think we’re really excited. Every time is excited to tee it up the first time they play, but for our guys, playing a Division I opponent — no matter who it is — playing at a beautiful venue like Hulman Center, it’s a nice opportunity for us,” Rose-Hulman men’s basketball coach Jim Shaw said.
“I hope this excites local college basketball fans. I think it will be a great night of Terre Haute and Wabash Valley basketball.”
Shaw and ISU coach Kevin McKenna have had a cordial relationship since McKenna arrived at ISU in 2007. When Hulman Center has other events, ISU has to leave its home digs and practice elsewhere.
When possible, Shaw has thrown the doors open at Rose-Hulman’s Hulbert Arena and the Sycamores have practiced there numerous times in McKenna’s first two seasons.
A potential ISU-Rose Hulman game was talked about early on.
“I have to give Kevin more credit than I get. He initiated it as soon as he came to Indiana State. Kevin took the ball and went with it. I kind of wanted to wait until we had more of a veteran team to bring out here. The timing worked right this year,” Shaw said.
“People have asked me why it didn’t happen before, but they don’t understand it’s not as easy as just doing it. NCAA rules have relaxed the last couple of years and they’ve made it advantageous for Division I schools and Division III schools, particularly exhibitions,” Shaw added.
Though McKenna will be coaching Goliath to Rose-Hulman’s David, he’s been in the Engineers’ shoes before. When McKenna coached at Nebraska-Omaha, he played preseason exhibition games at neighboring Creighton.
“It’s a big deal for Rose-Hulman, and I told our guys, it’d better be a big deal for us. It’s our first time against a new opponent. We know the Rose kids will be smart, it’s a good game for us to play,” McKenna said.
The last time Rose-Hulman played a school that is currently at the Division I level was during the 1971-72 season when the Engineers defeated Wright State 89-70. At the time, Wright State was not what is now considered Division I.
Prior to that, the meeting with ISU in 1932 — won by the Sycamores 37-21 — was Rose-Hulman’s last shot at a Division I team (and it came before Rose-Hulman temporarily dropped basketball from 1932-35). The Engineers last defeated ISU in 1931.
The game itself has storylines beyond the resumption of a long-dormant local rivalry. Several ISU players will make their first Sycamore appearances — including the much-anticipated debut of Iowa transfer Jake Kelly.
“I just want to get better. As a group it gives us a chance to get used to each other. We’ve really only played in open gym. It’ll be nice to have five-on-five and a lineup. I’m just excited to put on the ISU uniform for the first time,” Kelly said.
The suspension of ISU guard Harry Marshall (see related story) and the absence of swingman Aaron Carter due to the H1N1 virus will alter the Sycamores’ look somewhat against the Engineers. McKenna, however, has other goals in mind.
“I think our communication and effort on the glass are glaring needs for improvement right now. We need to help each other out more with our voices. We need to go after it more on the offensive glass. We see on film that guys are standing around when a shot goes up. Good rebounders aren’t going to be good if they stand around and watch. If guys are active, talking and moving, I’ll be pleased,” McKenna said.
The Engineers, who were 9-16 last season, have perimeter threats in guards Blake Knotts (11.5 ppg, 43.9 percent from 3-point range) and Jeff McCartney (9.9 ppg, 36 percent 3-point shooter).
“We’ll find out where we are early in the season. We’ll really find out where we are and we’ll be able to see what we did well and not so well and fix it as we move on into the season,” McCartney said.
Harlan will start at forward tonight as he was a part-time starter for the Engineers last season. Harlan expects to see former Terre Haute South teammate Jake Odum driving his way down the lane tonight.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun to play against all those local guys, some of them I thought I’d never play again. It’s going to be fun to play against Jake [Odum] especially,” Harlan said.
Harlan was asked if he relished a chance to block an Odum shot if his former teammate drove the lane.
“No,” Shaw interjected. “He’s going to take charge.”
“Yeah! I’ll take a charge,” Harlan said.
Tickets are still available for tonight’s 7:05 p.m. game.
RHIT at ISU exhibition
Game at a glance
Tipoff — 7 p.m. at Hulman Center.
Broadcasts — Radio: WISU-FM 89.7 and WMHD-FM 90.7.
Injuries — For ISU, G Aaron Carter (flu) and G Harry Marshall (suspension) are both out.
Series — ISU leads 37-21 in a series that began in 1901. The teams last played in the 1932 season finale, won by ISU 37-21. The Engineers last win over the Sycamores was a 20-18 victory to end the 1931 season. This game will not count in the overall series.
Next games — ISU plays host to Indianapolis on Saturday. RHIT begins its regular season at Millikin on Nov. 15.
— Todd Golden
College
Rebirth of a rivalry: ISU men's basketball takes on Rose today for first time since 1932
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