Indiana State's Graves looks back on exhibition contests
Indiana State men's basketball coach Matthew Graves took time Tuesday to speak on the lessons learned from the exhibition slate. The Sycamores started with a closed-doors meeting at Notre Dame. ISU coach Matthew Graves said the Sycamores and Fighting Irish played 12-minute quarters. "We treated each quarter like it was the end-of-a-game scenario," Graves said. "So if it was close, then you'd ...
Indiana State men's basketball coach Matthew Graves discussed the benefits of the exhibition contests his team played before the Charlotte showdown on Monday. The Sycamores engaged in a closed-door meeting at Notre Dame and faced the Fighting Irish in a 12-minute quarter format. Graves explained how treating each quarter like a game scenario helped them adjust their strategies accordingly.
The matchups against Notre Dame and Butler, followed by hosting crosstown rival Rose-Hulman, provided the team with valuable experience against high-major programs and the long shots defenders often face. Graves highlighted how playing against these teams early in the season allowed the Sycamores to see how to handle larger and more athletic opponents better.
Among the exhibition starters for the upcoming season are Karmani Gregory, E.J. McQuillan, Maguire Mitchell, Jackson Cooper, and Alessio Calamita. Gregory had a strong showing against Butler but saw his minutes diminish against Rose-Hulman, while Cooper had notable performances in both contests. McQuillan, Mitchell, and Calamita also contributed points against Rose-Hulman.
Coach Graves emphasized that the team would rotate players off the bench, with Chance Puryear, Meechie White, and Deuce Paschal filling various roles alongside backup big men Alexa Vlajic and Calamita. The coach praised the Sycamores' ability to adjust to different lineups and strategies, noting that their performance against Rose-Hulman was particularly impressive due to the team's top scorers returning and maintaining continuity.
Despite the Engineers' early lead, the Sycamores managed to pull away with a 81-59 victory, attributing their success to the team's fatigue and the ability to impose their will on the opposition. The coach also acknowledged the team's defensive lapses against shooters and expressed the need to improve in that area for the regular season. ISU will open its regular season with a home game against Charlotte on Monday at 7 p.m.
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