Story by
The Tribune-Star, Terre Haute, Ind.
Indiana State men's basketball not wasting days, Graves says
- Story byThe Tribune-Star, Terre Haute, Ind.
- Indiana State men's basketball not wasting days, Graves says
Fall practices are officially underway for Indiana State's men's basketball team.
ISU coach Matthew Graves and 6-foot-5 sophomore guard from Zionsville, Maguire Mitchell, spoke Tuesday before the team's practice in Hulman Center about how the team is shaping up.
Advertisement
With Martin Kaupanger the lone returnee, Graves said with having that year in the system, Kaupanger really understands what the team is trying to do and how the Sycamores want to play.
When it comes to the team as a whole, Graves said the Sycamores have wasted very few days.
"Having all these new guys, I figured we'd have several days where it was really stagnant, it was just hard to get things done and guys would struggle processing things," Graves said.
"These guys have done a terrific job of embracing being coached, being coached hard and figuring out ways to find success."
Advertisement
Graves has been really impressed with the group as a whole to accept coaching and continue to come back day after day being consistent in showing up to work.
He said the team needs to work on its defensive rebounding. The summer focus he said was a lot offensively and guarding the ball defensively.
"We have to do a better job overall of being able to finish the play and defensive rebound," Graves explained. "I think that will come as we get here into fall and continue to work on it."
Mitchell is a transfer from IU Indianapolis after he averaged 11.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists last season for the Jaguars. He had a season high 25 points against Oakland back on Feb. 25. Mitchell also had a season high eight rebounds earlier in the month against Milwaukee, who will be coming to Terre Haute on Nov. 11 to take on the Sycamores after ISU's trip up there last season.
Advertisement
Graves said Mitchell has one of the team's best feels for the game.
"His basketball savvy and IQ are at an extremely high level and he's able to impact winning in a variety of ways," Graves said.
According to Graves, Mitchell is way more than a catch and shoot 3-point guy. He said Mitchell has an ability to impact the game through not only his shooting, but his cutting and passing as well.
With his time at ISU so far, Mitchell said he came in wanting to get stronger and work on his shot.
"Both of those things have gone really well," Mitchell said. "I've been shooting the ball a lot better and I've also gotten a lot stronger."
Advertisement
He said he just needs to put on a little more weight between now and maybe the start of the season.
"It'll give me some more energy for when we're playing 40-minute games back to back nights, especially January when we're playing conference [play]," Maguire noted.
With a closed doors scrimmage coming up soon at Notre Dame, Mitchell said Graves has just explained that the Sycamores have another two weeks to get ready.
"It's going to be nice just seeing what we've worked on since June against someone else, not just each other," Mitchell explained.
Coming over from IU Indy, he said some changes have been watching film for a half hour before practice and how he needs to be better reading certain things.
Advertisement
"Maybe being more patient out there instead of just trying to run around, do things really fast, do stuff with a purpose," Mitchell said.
He said the team chemistry has been really good and that they all have each other's backs.
"We all want what's best for each other," Mitchell said.
The Sycamores travel to Butler for the first public exhibition game of the season with tipoff at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 18. After that, ISU hosts crosstown institution, Rose-Hulman at 6 p.m. Oct. 24 for the second and final exhibition game.
ISU opens the regular season at home against Charlotte after going there last season. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Nov. 2.
