One might look at the self-imposed week-long break Indiana State's men's basketball team took as a curse as much as a blessing.
After all, the Sycamores had put together two wins in a row for the first time since mid-January after victories over Evansville and Southwest Missouri State, but had no chance to see its momentum pay immediate dividends as ISU chose to sit out the Bracket Buster weekend this season, giving them an unusual seven-day February break.
But Indiana State Coach Royce Waltman chooses to look at the break as the best of both worlds. The Sycamores' hiatus ends at 8 p.m. today when they visit Drake at the Knapp Center in Des Moines.
"Any extra rest you can get at this time is really positive," Waltman said. "I'm not sure how valuable momentum is. If you have it, how do you end up losing? We just want to continue to play well, and I will go this far to say that if you have won a couple of games in a row it does give you more confidence to win one on the road."
ISU (10-16, 5-10, Missouri Valley Conference) did not practice for two days after last Tuesday's 74-72 overtime victory over SMS, and Waltman noted that he had several other players who had been banged up take additional time off. Among those who had been playing through ailments were Amani Daanish, Jerod Adler and Russell Trudeau.
While ISU's players rested up, not all will be available against the Bulldogs tonight. Guard Tyson Schnitker is still nursing a foot injury which has kept his out of the last two ISU games. Waltman said he is "extremely doubtful" for tonight's game.
ISU is still seeking its first road victory as the Sycamores have come up empty in 15 tries so far.
"We'll talk about going on the road and trying to maintain the edge that we had here in the last two games," Waltman said.
ISU has not played Drake since a controversial 74-69 overtime loss at Hulman Center on Dec. 30. A blocking call on Jerod Adler with no time on the clock in regulation forced overtime, where the Bulldogs prevailed.
Waltman said not much has changed about the Bulldogs since then. As ever, Drake relies on its pressure defense and half-court zone to frustrate opponents. The Bulldogs (9-15, 4-11 MVC) are coming off of a 73-57 victory over San Jose State in a Bracket Buster game at Des Moines on Saturday.
"They depend so much on their press. In past years, they've gone from pressing to man-to-man and zone. This year they've almost exclusively gone back to a zone defense," Waltman said.
Drake's season mirrors ISU's in other ways besides their similar records. The Bulldogs have been on the wrong end of several close losses, their last four defeats were by 10 points or less - three of the four being by just one point.
Lonnie Randolph and Klayton Korver have played well of late for the Bulldogs. Randolph is averaging 14.5 points per game since being restored to Drake's starting lineup nine games ago. Korver had a double-double against San Jose State on Saturday.
"Klayton is just tapping the surface," said Drake Coach Tom Davis in a news release. "He gives you everything he has and it is reflected with his attitude. His rebounding and defense has really improved. Who knows how good a player Klayton can be?"
It is the first of two straight road games for the Sycamores. ISU plays at Creighton on Saturday
Injury report - For ISU, F Darron Evans (kneecap), G Logan Whitman (back) are out. G Tyson Schnitker (foot) is doubtful.
After all, the Sycamores had put together two wins in a row for the first time since mid-January after victories over Evansville and Southwest Missouri State, but had no chance to see its momentum pay immediate dividends as ISU chose to sit out the Bracket Buster weekend this season, giving them an unusual seven-day February break.
But Indiana State Coach Royce Waltman chooses to look at the break as the best of both worlds. The Sycamores' hiatus ends at 8 p.m. today when they visit Drake at the Knapp Center in Des Moines.
"Any extra rest you can get at this time is really positive," Waltman said. "I'm not sure how valuable momentum is. If you have it, how do you end up losing? We just want to continue to play well, and I will go this far to say that if you have won a couple of games in a row it does give you more confidence to win one on the road."
ISU (10-16, 5-10, Missouri Valley Conference) did not practice for two days after last Tuesday's 74-72 overtime victory over SMS, and Waltman noted that he had several other players who had been banged up take additional time off. Among those who had been playing through ailments were Amani Daanish, Jerod Adler and Russell Trudeau.
While ISU's players rested up, not all will be available against the Bulldogs tonight. Guard Tyson Schnitker is still nursing a foot injury which has kept his out of the last two ISU games. Waltman said he is "extremely doubtful" for tonight's game.
ISU is still seeking its first road victory as the Sycamores have come up empty in 15 tries so far.
"We'll talk about going on the road and trying to maintain the edge that we had here in the last two games," Waltman said.
ISU has not played Drake since a controversial 74-69 overtime loss at Hulman Center on Dec. 30. A blocking call on Jerod Adler with no time on the clock in regulation forced overtime, where the Bulldogs prevailed.
Waltman said not much has changed about the Bulldogs since then. As ever, Drake relies on its pressure defense and half-court zone to frustrate opponents. The Bulldogs (9-15, 4-11 MVC) are coming off of a 73-57 victory over San Jose State in a Bracket Buster game at Des Moines on Saturday.
"They depend so much on their press. In past years, they've gone from pressing to man-to-man and zone. This year they've almost exclusively gone back to a zone defense," Waltman said.
Drake's season mirrors ISU's in other ways besides their similar records. The Bulldogs have been on the wrong end of several close losses, their last four defeats were by 10 points or less - three of the four being by just one point.
Lonnie Randolph and Klayton Korver have played well of late for the Bulldogs. Randolph is averaging 14.5 points per game since being restored to Drake's starting lineup nine games ago. Korver had a double-double against San Jose State on Saturday.
"Klayton is just tapping the surface," said Drake Coach Tom Davis in a news release. "He gives you everything he has and it is reflected with his attitude. His rebounding and defense has really improved. Who knows how good a player Klayton can be?"
It is the first of two straight road games for the Sycamores. ISU plays at Creighton on Saturday
Injury report - For ISU, F Darron Evans (kneecap), G Logan Whitman (back) are out. G Tyson Schnitker (foot) is doubtful.
