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October 30, 2008

ISU's Cutter trying to make most of his time

By Todd Golden

TERRE HAUTE — Fate has picked up Indiana State point guard Tyler Cutter and thrown him into the deep end of the pool. So far, the true freshman has kept his head above water.

With Harry Marshall ineligible until December and Rashad Reed not practicing because of leg soreness (he is expected to be ready for the regular season), Cutter is the only ISU point guard that’s putting valuable practice time in the bank that can be cashed once the regular season starts on Nov. 18.

Though Marshall can practice, the 6-foot-1 Murfreesboro, Tenn., native has been thrust into a position where he has an important role getting the new-look Sycamores to gel during the crucial preseason practice period.

It’s not an easy task given that the Sycamores have 10 players in practice who didn’t play a minute last season. But Cutter is taking it in stride, knowing that whatever preseason leadership he can display affords him a chance to get him regular season minutes.

“There’s a lot of pressure. Any freshman hopes they get a chance, but I try to keep in the back of my mind, that I’m trying to fight for time for when [Marshall and Reed] get back. They’re great players and I don’t want to get comfortable in my spot. Theses coaches know what they’re talking about. I feel comfortable running the team,” Cutter said.

During practice, ISU takes on the look of a team that is in the second year of a coaches’ system. The Sycamores are much more cognizant of where they need to be on the floor on the offensive end — no doubt a by-product of veteran players knowing the ropes and new players not knowing anything different. It’s a sign of Cutter’s development that he’s the player who is asked to set everything up, and the ISU offense has run smoothly with him in charge.

“Coach has really stressed in practice the importance of being where you’re supposed to be on the floor. It’s definitely something that’s an emphasis in our offense and I think everyone’s done a good job of knowing where everyone else’s spot is supposed to be,” Cutter said.

So far the 6-foot-1 Cutter has been asked to stay within himself to keep the ISU offense in sync. Cutter is quick and can get to the basket, but he is less a penetrator than Marshall will be when he’s in the game. Cutter is more of a classic point guard who will be asked to keep other teammates involved.

“Tyler is a pretty heady point guard who’s picking up our system on the fly and is doing a pretty good job. He doesn’t know it inside and out, but he’s making progress everyday and that’s all we can ask,” ISU coach Kevin McKenna said. “I compare it to what Kyle Orton did a few years ago for the Chicago Bears — just manage the game. Get guys involved, get guys into the right spots, take open shots when you get them, don’t try to do too much.”

Cutter, who like many of his new teammates, likes to keep things loose with harmless trash-talking and one-upsmanship during practice, has been accepted as part of the fold. In fact, ISU’s roster as a whole seems more unified and does a better job of constructive talking on and off the floor.

“He’s been asked to do a lot, but he’s doing a good job. It’s a big jump from high school to college, but he’s worked hard and he’s learning as he goes,” said ISU shooting guard Jordan Printy, who has handled the point a bit himself.

n Sycamores scrimmage — ISU held a public scrimmage on Thursday at Hulman Center. It was the first time the Sycamores have done any full-court since practice began on Oct. 17 and, at times, it showed.

The Sycamores are unquestionably more athletic and can get up-and-down the floor. However, ball-handling and shooting were not up to par. Given that it was the first time on the floor for 10 Sycamores, McKenna wasn’t surprised.

“There were some bright spots and some good basketball plays being made, but also some careless ones,” McKenna said. “Sometimes it’s just a matter of being patient, making the simple pass, that kind of thing. This was the first time we went up-and-down, it seems like the less oxygen that gets to the brain, the less execution we get.”

ISU was split into white and blue teams and there were seven three-minute scrimmages. Redshirt freshman Printy (White team) and Louisiana Tech transfer Dwayne Lathan (Blue) each had 12 points. The athletic Lathan is not eligible to play this year.

“We’ve simulated a lot of what we plan to do in games at practice, but I think we’ve been working to get to this,” said Cutter, referring to five-on-five, full-court action. “I think coach probably did it that way intentionally so he could show us what we need to work on. But we talk good, we get along, we have good chemistry, it’s just sloppy, simple errors that should be easy to fix.”

ISU will play its first exhibition game against Albion College on Nov. 8.



ISU scrimmage

ISU split its squad into Blue and White teams and they played seven three-minute scrimmages. The White team won three, the Blue won two and there were two ties. Here are the cumulative point totals:

White — Jordan Printy 12, Isiah Martin 6, Aaron Carter 5, Jay Tunnell 4, Josh Crawford 4, Tyler Cutter 2, Carl Richard 2.

Blue — Dwayne Lathan 12, Brant Leitnaker 7, Harry Marshall 6, Koang Doluony 4, Keenan Barlow 0, Nick Donaldson 0.

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