Live Blog
Live pregame chat: ISU vs. UT Martin
Chat with Pantagraph sportswriter Jim Benson before the Illinois State men's basketball game.
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Welcome from Redbird Arena where Illinois State will play Tennessee-Martin. The Skyhawks are 6-2 and own the most road victories (5) in the country. ISU looks to be without Devaughn Akoon-Purcell (broken hand) and Bobby Hunter (concussion). Appears Will Ransom will return after one-game suspension. He was warming up in his uniform. Hunter in regular sweats on bench. So what's on everyone's mind? -
Tennessee-Martin will be without Myles Taylor, its 6-8 senior forward who was a preseason all-Ohio Valley Conference first-team pick. Taylor has a knee injury and didn't play in Monday's 81-78 OT win at Illinois-Chicago.
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What do you make of the win at DePaul on Saturday? Do you think it will be a turning point for the team and the program? It seems like for the last 7 or 8 years we couldn't find a way to finish off a game in that situation. It seems to me this team is starting to play with the toughness that Muller had as a player and now as coach. -
It very well could be a turning point, especially winning on road like that and being shorthanded. They easily could have thrown in the towel and didn't. Daishon Knight really was a warrior and almost refused the rest of the guys to lose. That was great to see.
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I am concerned about our offensive capabilities w/o Purcell especially if Wills sees lots of action. I would like to see much more of McIntosh. How do you see it playing out?
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The only thing I worry about McIntosh is if he puts too many pressure on himself to try and fill Devaughn's shoes. Just be yourself like you have the last 1.5 games. Haven't seen starting lineup yet,but I'm assuming Tony Wills starts just to take some pressure off MiKyle. But with Bobby Hunter also out that's almost 24 points that needs to be taken care of. Teddy Hawkins can get some of those points and Paris Lee, too, although he's not looking to score a lot.
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Any idea how much money UT-Martin is making for this game? I would be interested to know how much they have profited from refusing to play home games.
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I'm not exactly sure. If Larry Lyons strolls by I will ask him. I would guess somewhere close to 10K.
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How is team chemistry this year? They seemed to really enjoy each other last year, is that still the case?
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From what I can gather, they all seem to get along pretty decently. It appears the chemistry on the court has been good.
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Any idea what's going on with Ransom? Is it going to be on again off again all year?
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Not really sure what to make of that situation. Will seems like a decent guy, wants to be a teacher and coach, but apparently something isn't right. He is dressed tonight, so we'll see. You would think one more suspension could be the third strike.
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Offenses need guys that can create. McIntosh, Purcell and Knight can do it. Those guys bring the defense to them and allow others to flourish. This next month needs to be McIntosh coming out party. JMO.
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How solid is Dan's staff? is everyone still happy where they are?
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McIntosh definitely has found his comfort zone the last 1.5 games. Lets see if that continues. Akoon-Purcell was really good at that. Guess being injured now is better than in January or February.
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The staff is really solid. Torrey Ward will be a head coach in next three years. Heard he got some overtures from Troy about a year ago. Luke Yaklich has great ties to the Chicago area and really a great guy. Dean Oliver has played in the NBA and is a great benefit to guys like Paris Lee. Don't forget Mitch Gilfillan, too, DOB who was assistant at SIU Edwardsville.
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After watching Wichita State last night, it seems they are not as strong of a team as they have been in the past. Obviously, you still have to respect them, but do you think this ISU team when healthy can compete with Wichita this year?
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I've been telling co-workers the Shockers will lose AT LEAST three Valley games this year. Cleanthony Early was the difference maker with his ability to not only stretch defenses, but makes tough shots at the end. I voted him MVP of league instead of VanVleet last year not because I didn't think VanVleet did a great job, but because I thought Early was the guy who made them a great team.
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A University of Maryland guard/star player broke his hand on Dec. 5 and is playing again on Dec. 26th against another one of their pre-conference cupcakes. Hopefully, Purcell can do it in 3 weeks too.
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Because it's his shooting hand, it might be a little longer but you never know. I say don't rush him back, but get him ready for about Jan. 14 at Indiana State.
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Do you know if we are exploring other conference affiliations?
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I fully agree on Early. He had ice in his veins at crunch time.
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As co-worker Joe Deacon just said, VanVleet is not an NBA player. Early is.
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BTW, robin lopez broke his hand and is out 6-7 weeks (portland trailblazers)
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Good veteran crew of Mike Stuart, Winston Smith and Brad Ferrie.
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mm, the hawk, and reggection are going to make a heck of a trio for 3 years.
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