Spring Break
'Birds open season at Wright State in rematch
Scott Gleeson, Daily Vidette Sports Editor
Issue date: 11/14/08 Section: Sports
|
The win was part of a six-game win streak and at the time, advanced the Redbirds to 19-9 overall, before finishing the season at 25-10.
This season, things are a little different as the Redbirds open the 2008-09 season on the road in a rematch against Wright State.
With eleven nonconference games on the schedule before conference play, ISU's first nonconference contest could be the most difficult of them all.
"Their name doesn't sound like it but that team is going to win 20 games easily this year and I think will make a run in their league," Redbird head coach Tim Jankovich said.
"We will have to play great to win that game. Right out of the gate, it's definitely not going to be easy, but it's time to play."
Jankovich felt fortunate to come away with a win on the Redbirds' home court last year. Playing the Raiders on their home court to tip off the season is an ultimatum Jankovich has feared.
"It hurts my ability to sleep at night because I know how good they are," Jankovich said. "Had we not played them [last season], I probably would not really appreciate how good they are."
Wright State finished the 2007-08 season with a 21-10 record and tied for second in the Horizon league. The Raiders return a bulk of last seasons' team.
"I remember they were a tough team, we kind of struggled with them a little bit, then we finally kind of broke away from them," junior guard Osiris Eldridge said.
Both teams appeared defensive-minded last year, holding their opponents under 40 percent field goal percentage.
"They are a tremendous defensive team," Jankovich said of their opponent. "They do it exactly the opposite of the way we do it. We try to get out and put heat on, pressure, and speed people up. They pack it in man to man about as packed as you'll ever see. It just makes it really difficult to get any driving lanes. They make you shoot the ball and they are great at closing out."
In last season's contest between the two teams, senior guard Emmanuel Holloway played one of his best games of the season with a career-high 16 points in his first starting role.
The most dangerous offensive area is the Raiders' backcourt according to Jankovich.
"They've got everyone back, including all three guards and their No. 4 man [power forward] was sitting out [last matchup]. They are a very experienced team. Their guards are outstanding. Two of their guards are preseason all-league in the Horizon [league]," Jankovich said.
Playing a strong opponent to start the season may not be an easy task, but going in with a positive mindset will be vital for a solid start.
"I think if we go in with a mindset as a dominant team and play our defense-let that make our offense, we will win," Eldridge said.
Be the first to comment on this story