GETTING INSIDE

   Transfers from schools in high-profile conferences get a lot of publicity when they enter the Missouri Valley Conference. There is often an assumption a player from a big-name school will cruise through the competition in the MVC.

   Sometimes that adjustment isn’t automatic. For every Champ Oguchi (Oregon to Illinois State) who contributes big there is often a Carlton Reed (Iowa to Northern Iowa), who doesn’t. Kyle Wilson (Illinois to Wichita State) and Rolan Roberts (Virginia Tech to Southern Illinois) excelled at their second home. Sead Odzic (Southern Cal to Illinois State) didn’t. Chad Millard (Louisville to Creighton) hasn’t, although he has one more season.

   So what does Indiana State get in Iowa transfer Jake Kelly? The Sycamores can’t wait to find out. He was the best player on a bad team, which may be a warning sign. Kelly’s credentials, however, seem to warn the rest of the MVC he will be a force immediately.

   Kelly, a 6-foot-6 junior, averaged 11.6 points as a sophomore to lead the Hawkeyes. He was an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick and twice named player of the week. He hit Penn State for 22 points and 11 rebounds, burned Ohio State for 19 and 11 and scored 20 points at Michigan State.

   The NCAA cleared him for immediate eligibility on Oct. 1, surely setting off a few celebrations at the Ballyhoo Tavern near the Hulman Center. Kelly’s mother died in a plane crash in 2008. He moved to Indiana State to be close to his father, who lives in Terre Haute.

   His addition gives Indiana State a backcourt that can match up with any in the Valley. Senior Harry Marshall, a former walk-on, is one of the conference’s toughest competitors. Playing with Kelly will keep defenses from ganging up on him. Senior Rashad Reed made 39.5 percent of his threes and averaged 11.0 points. Reserves Aaron Carter and Jordan Printy progressed late in the year. Transfer Dwayne Lathan started 12 games at Louisiana Tech in 2008 and averaged 8.2 points and 3.9 rebounds. He led the Bulldogs with 18 blocked shots.

   Sophomore forward Carl Richard is Indiana State’s leading returning rebounded (6.0).

   The Sycamores lost center Jay Tunnell, their only reliable big man and the driving force behind a late-season surge in 2009. Senior Josh Crawford is 6-11 and could be a contributor if he can stay out of foul trouble and rebound better. Junior Isiah Martin slumped after a promising freshman season. If those two can rebound, defend and score just a little, the Sycamores could be a big mover.

NOTES, QUOTES

• Indiana State went 3-0 in overtime games in 2009 and has won five straight in overtime, all against MVC opponents.

• Forward Carl Richard recorded six double-doubles as a freshman, four against conference teams.

   LAST YEAR: 11-21 overall, 7-11 in the MVC.

   HEAD COACH: Kevin McKenna (career 115-70); second year at Indiana State (26-37).

   QUOTE TO NOTE: “Jake is a proven player at the Division I level. He had some solid games against some very good teams in the Big Ten last season, and that experience is invaluable.”—Indiana State coach Kevin McKenna.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

   SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Indiana State stayed local for most of its recruiting class. Red shirting is a possibility for the freshmen guards.

   The top freshman is Jake Odum, a 6-foot-2 point guard who averaged 22 points and 7.8 rebounds at Terre Haute South. He was named one of the top 15 seniors in Indiana after grabbing a lot of attention during his final season.

   Lucas and Logan Eitel are twins from Marshall, Ill. They are walking on.

   Forward R.J. Mahurin, from Rockville, Ind., played in the North/South Indiana All-Star Classic, as did Odum.

Key Early-season Games:   Indiana State can make a splash on the road early in the season. The Sycamores play at UNLV on Nov. 21 and at Saint Louis on Dec. 5.

   Indiana State went 0-5 on the road in non-conference games last season and 4-10 overall. Winning either of those games could signal the Sycamores are ready for bigger things.

   PROGRAM DIRECTION: Indiana State saved coach Kevin McKenna a lot of grief with a strong finish last season. The Sycamores won seven of their final nine games. Without that strong finish, things look grim this season.

   Expectations will be high, especially now that Jake Kelly is eligible. McKenna deserves time to rebuild the program. A good season in 2010 will help that process immensely.

Probable Starting Lineup:   PG Harry Marshall, SG Jake Kelly, SG Rashad Reed, PF Carl Richard, C Isiah Martin.

   ROSTER REPORT:

   —Forward Koang Doluony (6-7, 190) redshirted last season and practiced with the team.

  —Guards Tyler Cutter and Nick Donaldson and forward Keenan Barlow transferred after last season.