From the Press Box
Injury bug gives walk-ons playing opportunity
OMAHA, Neb. - If you had asked Indiana State basketball fans before the season if they thought a Clay County native would be starting in the Sycamores' backcourt by the end of the regular season, the answer would have been a resounding yes.
But who knew it would be Clay City's Elliott Booe, not Brazil native and Northview High School's highly touted Logan Whitman?
That dichotomy illustrates the Sycamores season of injury woe. Booe, a walk-on, was expected to contribute in a bit role this season, and until the injury bug became acute for ISU earlier this month, that's exactly what Booe did.
And that goes double for Marc Urban, the team manager who has made his way into four games this season.
Sometimes you're chosen to fulfill a bigger role on a team, sometimes circumstances choose you. And with Tyson Schnitker, Gabriel Moore, Zach McGrath and Whitman all likely to be out of action at least for Monday's game against Southern Illinois, the time for ISU's walk-on guards to contribute has come - like it or not - because there is no one else.
ISU Coach Royce Waltman referred to ISU's M*A*S*H unit as being held together by "spit and bailing wire". That doesn't seem likely to change soon.
"It's a slim chance that either [Schnitker or Moore] will play Monday, but we hope to get them healthy for the tournament," Waltman said. "If that doesn't happen, you just need to suck it up and play and do what you can. That's just about all you can do."
Both players are happy to get their shot, but it doesn't make them feel any better about their teammates.
"The opportunity that presented itself is unfortunate, obviously," Urban said. "It's been really tough. You feel so bad for someone like Tyson, who worked so hard in the off-season. Or Gabe, who has really come along as a freshman."
Booe, a sophomore, earned his first career start on Saturday against Creighton, guarding Bluejays senior guard Tyler McKinney, who scored 12. Booe was 0-for-4 from the field.
"He played 34 minutes and turned the ball over three times, that's pretty darn good," said Waltman, who noted that Eric Gray had a rough outing at Drake, prompting Booe's start.
"It's in a loss and I know we have other things to think about now, but it's exciting to get the chance," said Booe, who was told he'd start before the game. "I'm thankful for the confidence they've shown in me this season. I wasn't a very good player at the beginning of the season, but they've stuck with me and gave me more opportunities.
"I'm more calm and I've been taking care of the ball better. I look at my role as to get in, get a few minutes, and give our other two point guards a break," Booe added.
Booe acknowledged that there is a certain kinship among the walk-ons, though its clear in practice and in games that they are not looked down upon by the other Sycamores.
"We try to encourage each other, we try to tell each other when we're doing a good job. But that's true for everyone else on the team too," Booe said.
Team managers rarely get a chance to suit up, much less play. Urban played eight minutes against the Bluejays, including meaningful minutes in the first half.
"I've had an opportunity I never thought I'd have and it's been great," said Urban, who played high school basketball at Lake Central High School in St. John, graduating in 2001. "Between being the manager and playing I have to try to keep two different mindsets. I have to balance taking both roles seriously."
Knowing that they're likely to fulfill a much bigger role than usual doesn't change the preparation much for either Booe or Urban. Like a pinch hitter in baseball or a backup quarterback in football, they have to be prepared to play when the chance comes.
"I think most of the nervousness is gone after this first start for me, but that's about the only change," Booe said. "I try to not approach any game differently, you have to approach every game as if you're going to play."
Booe and Urban can take inspiration for another ISU walk-on. Brandon Ray, made his case for playing time in mid-January with fine games against Creighton and Wichita State. He has been playing more or less regularly since, primarily as a forward.
"The bench players have to suck it up and say to themselves, 'OK its my time to do what I need to do to get us a W,'" ISU forward Amani Daanish said.
Booe and Urban are getting the opportunity of a lifetime with ISU's injury misfortune. If they can somehow keep ISU afloat against SIU, and potentially in the MVC Tournament next weekend, it would put a feel-good spin on an ISU season that's been painful - literally and figuratively.
Injury bug gives walk-ons playing opportunity
OMAHA, Neb. - If you had asked Indiana State basketball fans before the season if they thought a Clay County native would be starting in the Sycamores' backcourt by the end of the regular season, the answer would have been a resounding yes.
But who knew it would be Clay City's Elliott Booe, not Brazil native and Northview High School's highly touted Logan Whitman?
That dichotomy illustrates the Sycamores season of injury woe. Booe, a walk-on, was expected to contribute in a bit role this season, and until the injury bug became acute for ISU earlier this month, that's exactly what Booe did.
And that goes double for Marc Urban, the team manager who has made his way into four games this season.
Sometimes you're chosen to fulfill a bigger role on a team, sometimes circumstances choose you. And with Tyson Schnitker, Gabriel Moore, Zach McGrath and Whitman all likely to be out of action at least for Monday's game against Southern Illinois, the time for ISU's walk-on guards to contribute has come - like it or not - because there is no one else.
ISU Coach Royce Waltman referred to ISU's M*A*S*H unit as being held together by "spit and bailing wire". That doesn't seem likely to change soon.
"It's a slim chance that either [Schnitker or Moore] will play Monday, but we hope to get them healthy for the tournament," Waltman said. "If that doesn't happen, you just need to suck it up and play and do what you can. That's just about all you can do."
Both players are happy to get their shot, but it doesn't make them feel any better about their teammates.
"The opportunity that presented itself is unfortunate, obviously," Urban said. "It's been really tough. You feel so bad for someone like Tyson, who worked so hard in the off-season. Or Gabe, who has really come along as a freshman."
Booe, a sophomore, earned his first career start on Saturday against Creighton, guarding Bluejays senior guard Tyler McKinney, who scored 12. Booe was 0-for-4 from the field.
"He played 34 minutes and turned the ball over three times, that's pretty darn good," said Waltman, who noted that Eric Gray had a rough outing at Drake, prompting Booe's start.
"It's in a loss and I know we have other things to think about now, but it's exciting to get the chance," said Booe, who was told he'd start before the game. "I'm thankful for the confidence they've shown in me this season. I wasn't a very good player at the beginning of the season, but they've stuck with me and gave me more opportunities.
"I'm more calm and I've been taking care of the ball better. I look at my role as to get in, get a few minutes, and give our other two point guards a break," Booe added.
Booe acknowledged that there is a certain kinship among the walk-ons, though its clear in practice and in games that they are not looked down upon by the other Sycamores.
"We try to encourage each other, we try to tell each other when we're doing a good job. But that's true for everyone else on the team too," Booe said.
Team managers rarely get a chance to suit up, much less play. Urban played eight minutes against the Bluejays, including meaningful minutes in the first half.
"I've had an opportunity I never thought I'd have and it's been great," said Urban, who played high school basketball at Lake Central High School in St. John, graduating in 2001. "Between being the manager and playing I have to try to keep two different mindsets. I have to balance taking both roles seriously."
Knowing that they're likely to fulfill a much bigger role than usual doesn't change the preparation much for either Booe or Urban. Like a pinch hitter in baseball or a backup quarterback in football, they have to be prepared to play when the chance comes.
"I think most of the nervousness is gone after this first start for me, but that's about the only change," Booe said. "I try to not approach any game differently, you have to approach every game as if you're going to play."
Booe and Urban can take inspiration for another ISU walk-on. Brandon Ray, made his case for playing time in mid-January with fine games against Creighton and Wichita State. He has been playing more or less regularly since, primarily as a forward.
"The bench players have to suck it up and say to themselves, 'OK its my time to do what I need to do to get us a W,'" ISU forward Amani Daanish said.
Booe and Urban are getting the opportunity of a lifetime with ISU's injury misfortune. If they can somehow keep ISU afloat against SIU, and potentially in the MVC Tournament next weekend, it would put a feel-good spin on an ISU season that's been painful - literally and figuratively.
