TERRE HAUTE —
The progress Indiana State’s men’s basketball team has made over the last two weeks is considerable.
The Sycamores own three wins over teams that were in the RPI top 50 at the time the teams were beaten. ISU has won four out of its last five, with the only setback a close loss to No. 19 San Diego State in Hawaii.
The reward for ISU is that it’s ranked in the high 20s or low 30s in the RPI, depending on which method is used. Its strength of schedule is even better, ranking near 20th in the nation.
While it’s absurdly early to put much stock in RPI rankings on Jan. 2, on their current path, the Sycamores would be in the conversation for an NCAA Tournament at-large bid.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about the Sycamores’ recent success is that they’ve enjoyed it despite the fact that there’s still plenty of room for improvement.
ISU has not always played its best, and yet, has found ways to win. While that’s been an encouraging sign, the Sycamores can ill afford to let anything slip as it heads to Northern Iowa at 8 p.m. tonight for its first MVC road game.
“Oh man, there’s so much room for improvement. I think we’re so far away from our potential. We realize that and that’s why we haven’t been paying too much attention to these last few games,” ISU forward Manny Arop said.
Sometimes teams will ride a collective hot hand to string together a series of wins, but that hasn’t been the case for the Sycamores.
While players like Justin Gant and Devonte Brown have made significant improvements, others, like Dawon Cummings and Khristian Smith, have struggled from the field.
Cummings is 3-for-18 from the field in ISU’s last three games. Smith has averaged three points per game and is 6-for-30 from the field in ISU’s last four games. Both, however, have made their presence felt on the defensive end.
“The nice thing about these guys is they realize they can improve. All of them can get better, coaches included. I don’t think we’ve scratched the surface of how good we can be. The harder we go at it in practice, we’ll get better faster too,” ISU coach Greg Lansing said.
Other regulars have struggled at times too. Jake Odum has admitted after recent games that he could play better. Arop has also forced the issue offensively at times, though both players have been very valuable at other times.
“They’ve talked to me about reading the defenses better. I need to get my feet in the paint and create more. We’re talking about reading and reacting,” Arop said.
Within the Missouri Valley Conference, ISU’s team stats are pedestrian. ISU ranks seventh in scoring (68.4), eighth in scoring defense (66.2) and ninth in scoring margin (+2.2) and shooting (42.1).
Despite being one of the top three RPI teams in the MVC at present, the Sycamores only rate in tje top three in two team statistical categories: rebounding (second at 36.5) and defensive rebounds (second at 26.4).
Northern Iowa, picked to finish third in the MVC, has a veteran team as all five of its starters have significant experience.
With their veteran presence, the Panthers loaded up their nonconference schedule. UNI (7-6, 0-1) went 0-3 at the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas and also lost to Iowa and UNLV. The Panthers defeated George Mason and St. Mary’s.
The Panthers opened MVC play at Wichita State on Sunday and struggled badly in a 66-41 loss. At one point, the Shockers led by 30 as the Panthers struggled mightily to score. UNI had just 18 points at halftime.
Despite the heavy loss, UNI coach Ben Jacobson remained high on his team
“I don’t think you can beat a team like St. Mary’s a week ago and have a game like this, then start to wonder how good you are,” said Jacobson after Sunday’s loss, as reported by the Waterloo-Cedar Falls (Iowa) Courier. “I don’t think that’s an issue right now, at all.”
Lansing feels the same way. Much as ISU does, UNI wants to grind games out. UNI also tries to limit possessions, so each trip down the floor has to be valued by the Sycamores. Turnovers, in particular, have to be kept to a minimum.
Though they are prone to offensive lapses, the Panthers are a tough out, despite the fact ISU has won three of the last four in the series.
“We have to be patient and we have to defend for a longer stretch. They’re not a team like Illinois State where they’re looking for transition. They’ll grind us, so we need discipline on defense,” Arop said.
ISU split the series with UNI last season with each team winning on its home floor.
Sports
ISU showing improvement but room for more heading into Northern Iowa
Sycamores looking for 2-0 start in Missouri Valley
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Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Defense: West Vigo second baseman Lucas Fagg fields a ground ball for an out in the Vikings semi-final sectional baseball game with Edgewood.
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West Vigo advances to sectional championship with walk-off win in ninth
High school baseball sectional games between West Vigo and Edgewood have had a tendency to be unpredictable over the years, but the Vikings and Mustangs outdid themselves in that area Thursday evening — and Thursday night.
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Wichita State shuts out ISU to force elimination-game rematch
Indiana State starting pitcher Greg Kuhlman did his best.
Actually, he did far better than he ever has previously in an ISU uniform, but while Kuhlman’s gutty pitching effort spoke volumes, ISU’s bats remained ominously silent. -
BOYS TRACK REGIONAL: North gets three winners, South two at Evansville
Terre Haute North had three winners, Terre Haute South two, and the Patriots and Braves finished second and third respectively at the Evansville Regional for boys track on Thursday at Evansville Central.
Hurdlers Cam Stewart and Cole Seward and discus thrower Lee Davis were the winners for North, enabling the Patriots to finish with 60 points to 59 for the Braves. -
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South Vermillion pitches team to sectional title, wins for her dad
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RAMBLIN' RECK: Sunday promises to be big day in Indy
Sunday promises to be a super day in Indianapolis.
It’s the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 followed by Indiana vs. Miami in the third game of the National Basketball Association playoffs. -
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“These are my first OTAs. I missed these last year, so I think it’s great. It’s great to get on the field with the defense and trouble-shoot some stuff. Obviously, some of us ran some of this stuff [offense] at Stanford [under new offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton]. But to get out there with the defense and trouble-shoot some stuff is good,” Luck said Wednesday as the team wrapped up its first week of on-field voluntary practice sessions. -
North baseball pulls away from South in sectional opener
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Terre Haute North burst through that crack in the bottom of the second inning Wednesday evening at Terre Haute South, scoring seven two-out runs and going on to a surprisingly easy 12-2 victory over the host Braves. -
Blank, Mundy named McMillan Award winners
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Indiana State baseball now one win from MVC Championship
Indiana State’s Wednesday morning wish list probably read something like this: a dominant complete game effort from starting pitcher Devin Moore, near-immaculate defense to support him, and a steady diet of clutch situational hitting from lineup spots one to nine.
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West Vigo advances to sectional championship with walk-off win in ninth
- Local Interest
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METRO ROUNDUP: Rose-Hulman's Evans honored as Great Lakes' top athlete
Rose-Hulman senior Liz Evans earned her fifth career NCAA Division III Great Lakes Region Field Athlete of the Year honor, according to results released Wednesday by the U.S. Cross Country and Track and Field Coaches Association.
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Terry enjoys strong year with Wildcats, and still enjoying suiting up to play
South Vermillion’s Tim Terry is the longest tenured coach in Wabash Valley high school baseball as his Wildcats are set to begin sectional play Thursday against Owen Valley.
But on the Yankees, a 35-and-over team in the Terre Haute Men’s Senior Baseball League, Terry is “just a youngster” if you ask Larry Roesch, his 68-year-old teammate on the Volkers Group Yankees. -
Softball sectionals up for grabs
All three Vigo County high schools and Northview appear to have a realistic chance of winning sectional championships in softball this week.
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Indiana State baseball series canceled
Heavy rain from Thursday through Saturday has forced Indiana State and Tennessee Martin to cancel their three-game weekend baseball series in northwest Tennessee.
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METRO ROUNDUP: Rose-Hulman baseball to play DePauw on Thursday after Tuesday's rain
The Rose-Hulman baseball team has rescheduled its non-conference game with DePauw to Thursday night.
The start time remains 7 p.m. for the single nine-inning game that was originally scheduled for today. Tuesday’s scheduled Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference game at Anderson was moved to Sunday because of rain.
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METRO ROUNDUP: Rose-Hulman's Evans honored as Great Lakes' top athlete
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West Vigo advances to sectional championship with walk-off win in ninth
High school baseball sectional games between West Vigo and Edgewood have had a tendency to be unpredictable over the years, but the Vikings and Mustangs outdid themselves in that area Thursday evening — and Thursday night.
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- College
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Wichita State shuts out ISU to force elimination-game rematch
Indiana State starting pitcher Greg Kuhlman did his best.
Actually, he did far better than he ever has previously in an ISU uniform, but while Kuhlman’s gutty pitching effort spoke volumes, ISU’s bats remained ominously silent. -
Indiana State baseball now one win from MVC Championship
Indiana State’s Wednesday morning wish list probably read something like this: a dominant complete game effort from starting pitcher Devin Moore, near-immaculate defense to support him, and a steady diet of clutch situational hitting from lineup spots one to nine.
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Terre Haute's Mascari running 10,000 meters for chance to get to Hayward Field
Indiana State freshman and Terre Haute North graduate John Mascari is among the enormous group of Sycamores competing this weekend at the NCAA East Preliminary. The top 48 NCAA track and field competitors in each event on this half of the United States are narrowed down to 12 who will compete at the NCAA meet at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
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Manaea's shoulder causing him latest pain
Indiana State pitcher Sean Manaea has battled through so many aches and pains during the 2013 season that it can be hard to discern the serious pain from the pain he pitches through.
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ISU's Negele answers call in big way in wake of Manaea injury
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Wichita State shuts out ISU to force elimination-game rematch
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RAMBLIN' RECK: Sunday promises to be big day in Indy
Sunday promises to be a super day in Indianapolis.
It’s the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 followed by Indiana vs. Miami in the third game of the National Basketball Association playoffs. - TRACKSIDE: Local drivers, owners looking to have strong night at Tony Hulman Classic
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RAMBLIN' RECK: Sunday promises to be big day in Indy
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Luck having fun with his first OTAs
A year ago, quarterback Andrew Luck was unable to attend the Indianapolis Colts’ organized team activity practices due to school commitments at Stanford.
Luck, though, went on to have a stellar year for the Colts despite the lack of summer work with the team. Still, in a sense, he is a rookie during this year’s OTA workouts.
“These are my first OTAs. I missed these last year, so I think it’s great. It’s great to get on the field with the defense and trouble-shoot some stuff. Obviously, some of us ran some of this stuff [offense] at Stanford [under new offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton]. But to get out there with the defense and trouble-shoot some stuff is good,” Luck said Wednesday as the team wrapped up its first week of on-field voluntary practice sessions. - Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
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Luck having fun with his first OTAs
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Consultation: Rex manager Brian Dorsett talks with his pitcher and players during a time-out Sunday, July 15, at Sycamore Field. (Tribune-Star file/Bob Poynter)
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2012 an up, down season for Rex
The Terre Haute Rex went through plenty of trials and tribulations during the summer of 2012.
The team got off to a sluggish start to settle for third place during the first half of the Prospect League race, but manager Brian Dorsett rallied the troops to a second-half title. - Metro Roundup: Dorsett, Rex players honored in Prospect League postseason awards
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2012 an up, down season for Rex
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Luck having fun with his first OTAs
A year ago, quarterback Andrew Luck was unable to attend the Indianapolis Colts’ organized team activity practices due to school commitments at Stanford.
Luck, though, went on to have a stellar year for the Colts despite the lack of summer work with the team. Still, in a sense, he is a rookie during this year’s OTA workouts.
“These are my first OTAs. I missed these last year, so I think it’s great. It’s great to get on the field with the defense and trouble-shoot some stuff. Obviously, some of us ran some of this stuff [offense] at Stanford [under new offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton]. But to get out there with the defense and trouble-shoot some stuff is good,” Luck said Wednesday as the team wrapped up its first week of on-field voluntary practice sessions. - Colts' coordinators enjoying getting rookies acclimated
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Luck having fun with his first OTAs
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Looking for Indy breakthrough, Kanaan enjoying role as team mentor
Ask any IZOD IndyCar series champion and he’d say he would gladly give up that championship to win one Indianapolis 500.
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