Sycamores – Growing Toughness

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(St. Louis, MO) – Indiana State is looking for their turn at greatness. The Sycamores have generally missed out on the recent resurgence of the Missouri Valley Conference. Coach Greg Lansing says the key for ISU success is a growing toughness.

The last four seasons have not been kind to the Sycamores. Despite some historic wins over ‘power conference’ foes, they are one of three Valley teams not to reach the 20-win plateau in that time period. Lansing’s squad has gone 54-71 in those four seasons, with a disappointing 32-40 league record.

The well-respected and highly regarded Lansing needs one coaching win to tie the legendary Royce Waltman for second place on the ISU wins list. He was 66-35 before this four-year period. However, only Mssouri State and Drake of teams that have been in the Valley the past four years, have missed the 20-win level and they each have new coaches.

Lansing’s teams have defeated five nationally ranked teams. Most recently, the Sycamores upset No. 15 Butler in December of 2016.

Growing toughness and better defense are the words that roll off Lansing’s tongue when you ask him about the coming season.

 

 

Back Court Strength

The strength of the Sycamores lies in the back court. Second team all-conference guard Jordan Barnes terrified Valley defenses all season. He led the league in three-point baskets and was its third leading scorer (17.2 points per game).

The 5’11 junior was also a member of the Valley’s ‘most improved team‘ and Lansing says Barnes has been a tireless offseason worker. Lansing says Barnes is tired of losing and committed to building his team’s growing toughness.

 

 

Sophomore Tyreke Key hopes to follow Barnes on to that most improved team. After scoring over 3,200 high school points, Key averaged 8.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game on his way to being named to the MVC’s ‘all-freshman team’.

Lansing says Key ‘lives in the gym’ and has added ten pounds of muscle to his 6’2 frame. The biggest improvement Lansing is looking for from Key, is on the defensive end.

 

 

Transfer Cooper Neese (Butler) may not be eligible until December, but Lansing says the 6’4 wing can guard every perimeter position and is an outstanding offensive player.

 

 

The Big Men

Growing toughness in the front court is pivotal for an Indiana State turn-around. Lansing has an assortment of post players to choose from. Seniors Emondre Rickman and Devin Thomas bring experience to the table, and junior Bronson Kessinger showed flashes of potential last year.

Lansing says this is unit that needs to make the most improvement in 2018-19. His front court lacked the ability to defend the opponents ‘bigs’ last season.

In addition to the Sycamore veterans, Lansing likes what he sees from freshman Blake Brinkmeyer. Rickman has made great offseason improvements.

 

 

Lansing’s teams have competed for Valley titles, defeated top 25 teams and typically play tenacious defense. Growing toughness is the key for the Sycamores to change their fortunes and change peoples’ perspective on their team.

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