Men’s Basketball wins regular season opener
The University of Indianapolis men’s basketball team defeated the Franklin College Grizzlies 79-64 at Nicoson Hall on Nov. 10.
The win was the Greyhounds’ seventh consecutive home opener that had resulted in a victory.
Senior forward James Hollowell led the Greyhounds with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Junior forward Leland Brown and Junior guard Reece Cheatham each had 15 points.
The Greyhounds shot 49 percent compared to the Grizzlies 36 percent. UIndy also took adavantage of the Grizzlies on the glass with 43 rebounds compared to Franklins’ 26, which led to 23 second-chance points.
The Grizzlies were able to keep pace with the Greyhounds with their free throw shooting, hitting 21-of-25 attempts from the foul line. Grizzlie junior guard led Franklin with 33 points and also added 13-of-15 free throws.
For most of the game until the the final minutes, the Grizzlies were able to keep the game close with the Greyhounds. The Greyhounds held a 40-32 lead at the half, and outscored the Grizzlies in the second half 39-32 to hold on for the win.
The Greyhounds played inner-city rival Butler University on Nov. 3 at Hinkle Fieldhouse, losing the exhibition game 63-47.
Cheatham lead the team with 12 points, four rebounds and three steals, while junior guard Tyrae Robinson had ten points, four assists and two rebounds.
Following a close first half, the Bulldogs outscored the Greyhounds with senior guard Rotnei Clarke scoring 18 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Junior forward Khyle Marshall scored 14 points and had nine rebounds, while freshman guard Kellen Dunham finished with ten points.
Head Men’s Basketball Coach Stan Gouard said that the Greyhounds’ goal on defesnse coming into the the game was to slow down Clarke and force him to defer the ball to other players.
“We put alot of pressure on the ball. Unfortunately for us he [Clarke] didn’t turn the ball over, but I think we wore him down a little bit,” Gouard said. “Those are some of the things we try to do as a team with our defense ”
Butler Head Men’s Basketball Coach Brad Stevens talked about his team’s upcoming schedule and how playing UIndy was key for its preparation.
“We scheduled Indianapolis because we went to the A-10,” Stevens said. “Stan [Gouard] has always been aggressive with his coaching at Indianapolis–getting up and down the floor. We scheduled this game for Marquette, UMass, VCU– teams that will extend the floor.”
Gouard said that this year’s team will include many new faces, and that the team will need some time to get where it wants to be.
“Our team is pretty varied,” Gouard said. “This year, we have four freshman, three sophomores, six juniors and our one senior. So right now, as a team, we are working to get everyone on the same page. We have eight new players, which makes the team and training interesting. And I have told the guys that we are still in preparing mode and will not peak until December or January.”
Cheatham said that one of the biggest challenges for the team is getting the chemistry right.
“We have new guys, as well as returners and redshirts that had to sit out last season due to injuries, so when we are practicing our focus is on getting used to each other and learning what we need to,” Cheatham said.
Nonetheless, Gouard and Cheatham have high expectations for the team. According to Cheatham, the real tests for this season should be three particular opponents, the University of Southern Indiana, Kentucky Wesleyan College and Bellarmine University.
“Those three [teams] are also our toughest opponents,” Cheatham said. “Even though really anyone can become the toughest, those three are usually the three we have to focus on and work our hardest to beat.”
The Greyhounds will return to action on Nov. 17 at Nicoson Hall, and will play the Timberwolves of Northwood University. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
