Indiana State 2010 CBI Tournament Preview

Indiana State Sycamores - Missouri Valley Conference (17-14, 9-9)

Big Wins: 12/23 IUPUI (72-59), 2/3 Illinois State (72-65), 2/27 Missouri State (75-72)

Bad Losses: 11/16 at LSU (45-56), 12/9 Ball State (63-68), 12/29 at Southern Illinois (52-70)

Coach: Kevin McKenna

Probable Indiana State Starters:

• Harry Marshall, Senior, Guard, 13.7 ppg, 3.4 apg

• Rashad Reed, Senior, Guard, 9.9 ppg, 2.3 apg

• Jordan Printy, Sophomore, Guard, 6.2 ppg, 1.8 apg

• Carl Richard, Sophomore, Guard, 8.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg

• Josh Crawford, Senior, Center, 3.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg

Key Indiana State Roleplayers:

• Aaron Carter, Junior, Guard, 7.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg

• Koang Doluony, Freshman, Forward, 3.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg

• Dwayne Lathan, Sophomore, Guard, 12.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg

• Brant Leitnaker, Junior, Center, 2.9 ppg, 1.8 rpg

• Isiah Martin, Junior, Forward, 3.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg

Why The Sycamores Can Surprise:
Harry Marshall and Dwayne Lathan have practically willed Indiana State into the postseason. Marshall is the senior leader and top scorer. He is also the point guard who can set up the rest of the team. Marshall is not the best shooter around, but he certainly is capable of hitting some three-pointers. Lathan is less of an outside threat, but the 6-3 sophomore is a high flyer who will finish above the rim with ease. He will use that athleticism to hit the glass very effectively.

However, Marshall and Lathan have both struggled with injuries this season. The Sycamores even lost fellow guard Jake Kelly for the year after a dozen games. That has left room for some unexpected players to step up. Rashad Reed is an experienced player who is a consistent scorer and a decent passer. Fellow starter Carl Richard will spend some time at the four spot despite being just 6-5, but he is a good enough defender and rebounder to pull it off. Aaron Carter and Jordan Printy have benefited most from the occasional absence of Marshall and Lathan. Carter has proven to be a dynamic scorer who can attack the basket and Printy is always a big scoring threat with his outside shooting ability.

Why The Sycamores Can Disappoint:
The top six minute earners on this team are guards, or wings at best. That has forced the team to usually play small and take their chances on the glass. Josh Crawford is the best scoring threat amongst the small group of forwards and centers. Yet, the 6-11 senior averages just 3.9 points per game.Isiah Martin is another big guy who can block some shots and eat up some fouls. The most intriguing option is Koang Doluony. The 6-7 redshirt freshman lacks the bulk to play the five spot, but he can certainly play the four on this team. He has the athleticism to help out on the glass and has done a tremendous job when forced into action due to injuries.

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Who To Watch for Indiana State:
Coach Kevin McKenna will usually start Brant Leitnaker in the middle with the four guards around him. While Leitnaker is a starter, he barely plays any more minutes than Crawford, Doluony or Martin. Leitnaker has been the starter due to his 6-10, 235 pound frame, but Crawford has earned some starts late in the year. Leitnaker is the biggest and toughest interior player Indiana State has on the roster and it is important that he, and his fellow big men, at least play solid defense under the basket and stop opposing big men from dominating in the paint.

Indiana State By the Numbers:

Scoring Offense: 66.4 (233rd in nation, 8th in conference)

Scoring Defense: 66.5 (130, 5)

Field-Goal Percentage: 42.4 (219, 10)

Field-Goal Defense: 41.5 (93, 3)

Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 4.6 (302, 10)

Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: na

Free-Throw Percentage: 77.3 (2, 1)

Rebound Margin: -2.5 (265, 9)

Assists Per Game: 14.1 (92, 2)

Turnovers Per Game: 12.4 (69, 6)