GETTING INSIDE
Indiana State is in some limbo after guard Jake Kelly sprained his MCL in the Sycamores’ 70-52 loss at Southern Illinois on Tuesday, but Kelly’s health aside, Indiana State has self-inflicted problems it must address before it faces Creighton on Friday.
Indiana State had a season-high 21 turnovers against the Salukis, leading to 26 Southern Illinois points. The Sycamores had just seven assists.
Indiana State has a negative assist-to-turnover ratio (119 to 165) for the season, a statistic that is likely unnerving to coach Kevin McKenna, who emphasizes taking care of the ball. Indiana State has gotten away with a negative ratio by getting to the line and making free throws and has also forced nearly as many turnovers as it’s given away.
It’s worked in the non-conference season but won’t likely hold water in conference because the Missouri Valley coaching staffs are more familiar with the Sycamores’ strengths and weaknesses. Indiana State’s next foe, Creighton, will be especially adept at taking advantage of any Sycamore miscues because the Bluejays run the same offensive system.
Kelly’s injury will certainly not help the Sycamores’ turnover cause, but all of Indiana State’s players have to be more careful with the ball if the program is going to experience any success in the MVC this season.
Southern Illinois 70, Indiana State 52: Indiana State’s 21 turnovers led to 26 Southern Illinois points as the Sycamores dropped their Missouri Valley Conference opener.
Dwayne Lathan led Indiana State with 11 points but also had five turnovers. Harry Marshall was the only other ISU player with double-figure points as he scored 10.
Adding insult to injury, Indiana State guard Jake Kelly injured his left knee after a hard, clean foul by Southern Illinois forward Carlton Fay on a breakaway with 14:30 left in the game. According to the Terre Haute (Ind.) Tribune-Star, Kelly suffered a MCL sprain and had no ACL damage. His status for ISU’s next games was unknown.
Indiana State led by six in the first half and led by three when Kelly was injured. Southern Illinois roared back with a 19-2 run that put the game out of the Sycamores’ reach.
NOTES, QUOTES
• Isiah Martin has resurfaced in Indiana State’s rotation. The 6-foot-8 junior, who set a school freshman record for blocked shots with 59 in the 2007-08 season, contributed eight points and 10 rebounds against Toledo on Dec. 19. Martin made his first start four days later against IUPUI and had seven points, four rebounds and two blocks in 19 minutes.
• Indiana State might have the deepest bench in the Missouri Valley Conference. Almost 11 players were averaging 10 or more minutes going into conference play. Nine players had been in the starting lineup.
January At A Glance: The sometimes quirky Missouri Valley Conference schedule has Indiana State playing two games against league favorite Northern Iowa within eight days in the middle of the month. If the Sycamores can win at UNI for the second straight year on Jan. 16, that would make the rematch in Terre Haute on Jan. 24 very interesting.
Quote To Note: “We have a little confidence in our team right now. Our guys are starting to have better confidence in each other and have a better feel for each other.”—Indiana State coach Kevin McKenna, to the Terre Haute Tribune Star.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Season Recap: Indiana State has shown it can win close games and win on the road, which is usually a barometer for success in any league. The Sycamores were upset at home by Ball State on Dec. 9, but they didn’t hang their heads. Instead, Indiana State responded with three consecutive wins, and it went into Valley play with plenty of momentum.
Player Rotation: Usual Starters—F Jake Kelly, C Brant Leitnaker, G Rashad Reed, G Harry Marshall, G Dwayne Lathan. Key Subs—F Carl Richard, C Isiah Martin, G Jordan Printy, G Koang Doluony.
Game Review:
Indiana State 60, Oral Roberts 54
Indiana State 55, Toledo 54
Indiana State 72, IUPUI 59
Southern Illinois 70, Indiana State 52
Game Preview:
vs. Creighton, Friday, Jan. 1
at Drake, Sunday, Jan. 3
at Bradley, Wednesday, Jan. 6
vs. Evansville, Sunday, Jan. 10
Roster Report:
• Sophomore forward Dwayne Lathan, the current holder of the MVC Newcomer of the Week award, had his 10th double-digit scoring effort in 11 career games at Indiana State with 10 points against Southern Illinois.
• Junior center Brant Leitnaker had his second-best scoring effort of the season with eight points against Southern Illinois.
• Senior guard Harry Marshall has come off the bench for two consecutive games after nine games before a suspension that kept him out of Indiana State’s game at Toledo on Dec. 19.
