Earl Austin Jr: Billikids make CBI Tournament: Will face Indiana State in First Round

Billikids make CBI Tournament: Will face Indiana State in First Round
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Earl  Austin on 15/03/2010 16:58:00
 
As you all know, the Sycamores play in the Missouri Valley Conference.They were
defeated by Illinois State 69-65 in the quarterfinals of theMVC Tournament. Head
coach Kevin McKenna (a former star at Creighton and NBA player) is in his third
year at the helm at ISU. He has done a nice job of making the Sycamores a much
more competitive team this year. One game that got my attention this year was a
game that they lost atMissouri State on Jan. 19. They trailed MSU by 24 points
midway through the second half, but they rallied to send the game into overtime
on the road. I watched that game on Fox-Midwest. I was impressed. ISU has a lot
of good perimeter players and they are not afraid to shoot the 3-pointer. Their
top scorer is senior guard Harry Marshall, who averages 13.3 points a game.
Unfortunately, Marshall has been hampered by foot problems this season. He
missed several games with a broken bonein his foot. He came back to the lineup,
but reinjured it in the MVC Tournament in St. Louis. If Marshall is out, the
focus shifts to sophomore Dwayne Lathan and senior guard Rashad Reed. Lathan had
27 points and 10 rebounds in that MVC Tournament game against Illinois State. He
averages 12 points agame. Reed also averages about 10 points a game. ISU also
has a guard named Jordan Printy who can shoot it from downtown. He has 51
3-pointersto his credit. As for the Billikids, I am very pleased that they are
getting anopportunity to play in the postseason. It is very important for
thesefreshmen and sophomores to get the experience of playing
postseasonbasketball, regardless of the tournament. A single-elimination
tournament with heightened intensity and bigger stakes is just what this young
team needs. It is also a good chance to press the re-set button and see if we
can come out more focused and mentally ready for a postseason game. It is also a
good reward for what was a surprising and remarkable season. We weren't expected
to play in the Atlantic 10 Tournament this season, so I'm looking forward to
this. I think the kids would love tohave another shot at postseason play after
our bad performance inAtlantic City last weekend. As for the CBI, do not sleep
on this tournament. If a team does well, it can provide a good springboard to
future success. Richmond has competedin the CBI for the past two seasons. Now,
look at the Spiders. They arein the Big Dance. UTEP played in the CBI finals a
year ago. They are now dancing as an at-large team after winning the CUSA
regular-season title. Old Dominion won the College Insiders.com Tournament (a
fourthtournament) last year. They are now in the NCAA Tournament after winning
the CAA last week. I hope everyone can make it out to the Chaifetz to see your
Billikids in post season action. They have worked their butts off to perform a
small miracle this season and they deserve your support. I know we're all a
little disappointed that we were passed over for the NIT, but don't let that
temper your enthusiasm for these young kids and what they have accomplished this
season. They are destined to do bigger and better things in the future and
Tuesday night could be the start. See you there. Go Bills!