TERRE HAUTE —
Indiana State men’s basketball coach Greg Lansing is big on quotations. There are several posted on the wall of ISU practice floor at ISU Arena and Lansing often turns to quotes when needed to ease his own mind. Lansing has within easy reach on his desk in his office.
On Saturday, Lansing went to his quotes as a guide as he seeks to help the Sycamores wash away the bad taste from Friday’s 73-67 loss to Southern Illinois. And also to prepare for the daunting task of a visit from Missouri Valley Conference co-leader Wichita State, to be televised on ESPNU at 8 p.m. tonight.
“My quote for today was, ‘Never shall I fail my comrades. I will shoulder more than my share of the task, no matter what it may be,’” said Lansing, paraphrasing a portion of the U.S. Army Ranger Creed. “You do what you’re asked to do and then do some more.”
The bus ride back to Terre Haute from Carbondale on Friday night was a contemplative one for the Sycamores’ players too. Just a third of the way into the conference season, ISU is only two losses away from matching its season total from 2011.
No longer can ISU’s struggles be blamed on a one-game aberration or a mini-slump. The players were left with their thoughts on how to live up to the expectations placed on them for this season.
ISU (11-6, 2-4) was picked third, but is currently mired in eighth place in the MVC.
“We weren’t happy with our performance at Southern Illinois. Everyone has to look in the mirror and find out what they can do to help the team. I’m kind of glad we play again tomorrow night. We don’t have a good feeling about last night and we’re ready to bounce back,” ISU senior shooting guard Jordan Printy said.
Falling back on quotations and soul-searching wasn’t what ISU had in mind going into its first televised home game on an ESPN network since 2002. The Sycamores were hoping that Hulman Center’s return to a national stage would have them firmly in the early league championship hunt, but instead, ISU has played its way into the bottom half of the MVC.
What’s most frustrating for ISU is that it knows what’s ailing it — poor defense, inconsistent production offensively — and it believes it has the talent on hand to fix the problems. But its been akin to a scavenger hunt trying to mesh ISU’s belief in its abilities and put it into action.
“It’s frustrating. We’ve been inconsistent. As a team, we know what we have in that locker room. We believe in each other and we’re just going to continue to work on it and keep fighting,” Printy said.
Though the loss at Southern Illinois cut deep, ISU recognizes the opportunity and the impression it will be able to make for a national television audience tonight. ISU is promoting the game as a White Out and is encouraging fans to wear white to the game as a show of support for the national cameras.
“At the last [home] game, I thought the fan support was great. That little boost of energy might have won us that Evansville game. I hope they get the Hulman Center rocking. When Hulman Center is rocking, and we feel the energy, it’s tough to play in here,” said ISU forward Carl Richard prior to Friday’s game at SIU.
Whether Hulman Center is “rocking” or not is unlikely to faze the road warrior Shockers. While the Shockers (14-3, 5-1) are a handful no matter where a game is played, WSU has dominated road games in the MVC like few teams in recent league history. WSU has won 11 of its last 12 MVC road games; the only loss was a 69-64 defeat at league champion Missouri State in the 2011 season finale.
WSU man-handled ISU 70-54 at Hulman Center last year — one of just three losses ISU suffered at home in 2011 and by far its worst margin of defeat of the three.
“First and foremost, they have a bunch of really good players and they have six seniors. They’re unselfish, they’re deep and they’re very well-coached. They’re one of the top teams in the country, there’s no doubt in my mind. It’s going to take everyone’s best effort to handle them,” said Lansing, when asked about the Shockers’ road prowess.
ISU’s quest to get back on track was dealt a blow when Richard sat out Saturday’s practice with back spasms. Richard is questionable for tonight’s game.
“It’s the same situation he had last year with back spasms. He’s getting treated all day [Saturday] and [today]. If he can’t go, other guys will have to step up,” Lansing said.
WSU starting point guard Joe Ragland did not play in the Shockers’ 78-41 victory over Bradley on Friday with a sprained right toe. However, Ragland — WSU’s leading scorer at 12.5 points — is expected to be back in action tonight.
Indiana State University
Sycamores searching for answers
Challenge increases as WSU visits tonight
- Indiana State University
-
-
Sycamores KO’d
Indiana State’s baseball team picked a very bad time to have its worst stretch of the 2012 season.
-
ISU KO’d by Evansville
Indiana State’s baseball team picked a very bad time to have its worst stretch of the 2012 season.
-
Graduate college in four years? ISU ‘guarantees’ it
Indiana State University has announced a four-year graduation guarantee for students enrolling this fall and beyond.
-
Blanked by Blach: ISU drops MVC tournament opener
Things went wrong for Indiana State’s baseball team in its Missouri Valley Conference Tournament opener against Creighton, but one statistic glowed white-hot.
-
MVP of the MVC: Lucas first Sycamore to earn Player of Year honors
Indiana State’s baseball team got the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season hardware last week and it’s hoping to grab more gold this week in its quest to win the Missouri Valley Conference baseball tournament.
-
Sycamores try to catch Missouri Valley Conference tourney vibe
A Missouri Valley Conference championship season has bloomed for the Indiana State baseball team in 2012. The Sycamores have been dominant through most of the season.
-
FROM THE PRESS BOX: Subtle switch has fostered MVC baseball parity
When Indiana State was crowned as the regular season baseball champion of the Missouri Valley Conference last Thursday, it marked the fifth different regular season champion the league has had since 2005.
-
ISU surrenders series to MSU
Indiana State’s baseball team won the war this weekend against Missouri State — the Sycamores are the Missouri Valley Conference champions.
-
ISU game plan isn’t executed: Sycamores fall 7-5 to Bears
The cement for Indiana State’s regular season Missouri Valley Conference championship has hardened.
-
Manaea to start MVC tourney opener for ISU
Indiana State coach Rick Heller has participated in 13 Missouri Valley Conference tournaments at ISU and at Northern Iowa, his previous stop.
-
FROM THE PRESS BOX: ISU has done enough to be in NCAAs
When you get older, you’re supposed to get wiser. I don’t know if I qualify, but I’m trying.
-
ISU baseball in familiar territory with MVC title on line
First place is there is for the taking for Indiana State's baseball team this weekend … so is redemption.
-
One out away from win, ISU falls to Boilermakers
So close, yet so close?
-
Maynard to serve as interim president of ISU Foundation
The Indiana State University Foundation Board of Directors today announced the appointment of Jack Maynard to serve as the foundation's interim president. Maynard will remain provost and vice president of academic affairs for the university during his interim role with the foundation.
-
Indiana State’s Rupe gets test today at No. 13 Purdue
Indiana State’s late-scheduled baseball game at No. 13 Purdue today has many benefits, not the least of which is that ISU’s NCAA Tournament chances increase merely by playing the game as the Sycamores’ strength of schedule gets a shot in the arm.
-
Sycamores get brooms out: ISU needs 1 more win to claim MVC
Indiana State’s baseball team had won every Missouri Valley Conference series it had played this season, but one nagging thought was on the Sycamores’ minds as they suited up Sunday to play Southern Illinois.
-
ISU rallies for 2nd straight MVC title
A strong Sunday performance lifted Indiana State’s men to a second straight Missouri Valley Conference track championship Sunday at Wichita State.
-
Win over SIU puts Sycamores in first place
As Indiana State’s baseball team tried to climb to the top of the Missouri Valley Conference mountain on Saturday against Southern Illinois, it stood to reason that the air would get more rarefied as they neared the summit.
-
ISU gives Bacus run support, win
Starting pitchers tread on shaky ground when the topic of run support comes up. To broach the topic if they’re not getting it can be a dicey proposition in the clubhouse.
-
ISU adds showdown with Purdue
Butler’s overbooked baseball schedule is doing wonders for Indiana State’s baseball slate … and possibly … for ISU’s at-large chances for the NCAA baseball tournament.
-
Metro roundup: ISU’s Lucas honored by Missouri Valley again
For the fifth time in the last nine weeks, Indiana State junior catcher Jeremy Lucas has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week.
-
Bad day at the office: Factors within & beyond Sycamores’ control conspire in loss
Indiana State’s baseball team hasn’t chalked up many bad days during a 36-12 campaign, but Sunday’s 8-2 loss to Wichita State in the series finale between the two teams would be an exception.
-
Three Sycamores get wins at IU
Three Sycamores posted wins in the Billy Hayes Invitational hosted by Indiana University Friday in the Robert C. Haugh Track & Field Complex.
-
Rapid response lifts Sycamores over Shockers
At some point last week, the Indiana State right fielder previously known as Robby Ort decided to shorten his chosen name and identify himself as Rob Ort.
-
Pickoff move a weapon for Manaea
If all Indiana State starting pitcher Sean Manaea did right for the Sycamores was to retire batters at the plate, no one would have any complaints.
-
Sycamores top Shockers in 10 innings in MVC series opener
If free baseball is what you want, Indiana State has what you need. For the sixth time in the span of a month, ISU’s series opener went extra innings.
-
ISU hurdler earns MVC track athlete of week honor
Indiana State sophomore Greggmar Swift has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Track Athlete of the Week, according to an announcement from the league office Tuesday.
-
Greg Goode to return to Indiana State as governmental relations director
Greg Goode is returning to Indiana State University as its executive director for governmental relations, ISU President Dan Bradley announced today.
-
ISU goes to well too many times
Perhaps the most unnecessary pursuit for a Wabash Valley sports fan during the now-completed weekend was watching the first few innings of nonconference college baseball between Indiana State and visiting Nebraska-Omaha.
-
What do you want to be?
For more than 43 years more than 14,000 high school students have been able to explore what their future job could be like, experience college campus life and earn university credit during one-week seminars in the Summer Honors Program at Indiana State University.
- More Indiana State University Headlines
-
Sycamores KO’d
Raw Video: Toddler Trapped in Washing Machine
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
Hurricane Forecast: 15 Named Storms Expected
Man Tells Police He Killed Missing Boy in 1979
NJ Official: NYPD Muslim Surveillance Legal
Vegas Grocer Deported to Face War Crimes Charges
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Search Intensifies for Missing Louisiana Woman
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Bloomberg: Man Implicates Self in Etan Patz Case
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Obama Highlights Economic Recovery Plan in Iowa
Sudden Storm Topples Wisconsin Trees
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
14-year-old Texan Wins National Geographic Bee
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Astrologers Predict Outcome of Presidential Race
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Heidi Klum Goes Sheer
Shark Attacks Australian Fishing Boat
Snoop Dog throws 1st pitch at White Sox game
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Alison Brie Likes To Jog Naked
Kayaker Survives Trip Over Washington Waterfall
Alton's Best Burger Ever
Ellie Kemper's Stripper Surprise on 'Ellen'
Maddie the Balancing Dog On Cross-Country Trip
Crawford's Sexy Leather Look
Boys eyes 'removed with spoon'
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
"Twilight" Stars Caught Kissing
Etan Patz Case: Suspect Arrested
Britney's Hot Pink Mini-Dress
Wrongfully accused rapist exonerated after 5 years in jail
Actress to Play Casey Anthony
Prince William on The Queen: 'Woman in Man's World'
Fight erupts in Ukrainian parliament over language bill.
