Orlando, Fla. —
Trying to advance the philosophy that any publicity is good publicity is probably an effort wasted on a losing team less than 10 minutes removed from a disappointing defeat where victory had been oh so close to fruition.
Such was the case as Indiana State’s men’s basketball players filed out of the HP Fieldhouse locker room after the Sycamores lost to Minnesota 76-69 in the semifinals of the Old Spice Classic Friday.
But even in their discouraged state, the Sycamores knew deep down something positive had been done, despite their clear disappointment in not being able to close the deal.
ISU lost the battle at the last against the Golden Gophers on Friday — ISU led as late as the 2:29 mark — but the Sycamores might have made significant strides toward winning the eye test war as far as national perception is concerned.
The evidence was clear during and after ISU’s game. Now that I’m immersed in the real time world of Twitter, I saw the good vibes the Sycamores put were putting forth. Even after the loss, national commentators were kind.
“Minnesota pulled away as Indiana State faded. Still think Sycamores can chase a bid,” said ESPN college basketball analyst Andy Katz on his @ESPNAndyKatz feed.
During the game, Katz tweeted that he thought the Sycamores were “no fluke” and that ISU should be remembered in March.
Similar plaudits came from other national followers. Of course, they don’t have a vote on the NCAA Tournament selection committee, but they don’t hurt when it comes to framing the conversation.
Minnesota coach Tubby Smith doesn’t have a vote either, but he came away from the Gophers’ close call as a believer, too. And he can speak from experience from where the position in which the Sycamores sit.
It’s easily forgotten that Smith is a former Missouri Valley Conference coach, making his bones at Tulsa when the Golden Hurricane were still in the MVC from 1991-95.
He knows how exceedingly rare it is for a team in Indiana State’s position to play on the flagship ESPN network during the regular season. He knows how hard it is for a mid-major to get games against quality competition. He knows how much it means to make a good show on a national stage, even if the final reward didn’t come.
“You can’t place a value on what this means to recruiting, to the fanbase, to alumni, and for the players to have this type of thing to be measured by,” Smith said.
Smith noted that even in a loss confidence can be gained from it, even if the players don’t realize it in the moment.
“You know what? We can compete with those Big Ten schools. We can compete with a Big East school. We can compete with the big boys,” Smith said. “We’re [Minnesota] not rated very high, but we’re going to be a pretty good team in the end and so is Indiana State.”
The Sycamores were convinced of that before the game, and despite the loss, their belief in themselves was not shaken.
“We feel like we have great players and a great coaching staff, and with the fan support that we have, everyone should know that when you play us, you’re going to get a game. We’re here to stay,” ISU forward Carl Richard said.
Smith added his own praise to what the Sycamores got in the Twitter universe and other social media.
“Greg Lansing has done a great job with his guys. His guys play with confidence and he plays a system that uses his players extremely well,” Smith said.
“If there are better teams in the Valley … Indiana State was third and won the Tournament [last year]? If there’s better teams [in the MVC], they will probably deserve multiple teams [in the NCAA Tournament] when all is said and done,” Smith added.
Win or lose, teams and mid-major conferences can’t buy publicity like that.
Todd Golden is sports editor of the Tribune-Star. He can be reached at todd.golden@tribstar.com or at (812) 231-4272. Please follow Golden on Twitter @TribStarTodd.
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Chain-Reaction School Bus Crash Injures About 50
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
Raw: 80-Year-Old Climbs Mount Everest
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
Wash. State Man Arrested Following Ricin Scare
Oklahoma Family Reflects on Lost Son
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
