Dalton Banks' adjusted mindset pays off for Illinois State men's basketball
NORMAL — Dalton Banks isn't learning a new role with the Illinois State basketball team, he's fully embracing his old one.
""When mentally I'm there and prepared and I impose myself on the other team, I think I can be a really good player," said Banks. "Just that mental training I've gone through so no matter how things are going I'm staying one way. I think I've really improved on that. Tonight was just a good night for me to put that on display."
After scoring a combined 12 points in ISU's first two games, Banks broke out for a career-high 23 on Tuesday as the Redbirds toppled Mid-American Conference preseason favorite Ohio 85-75 before a CEFCU Arena crowd of 3,923.
"He's got a spirit about him right now, a leadership, an urgency. The daily urgency is a fire that is driving him," ISU coach Ryan Pedon said of Banks. "There were moments last year when things weren't going as well and maybe he didn't respond with the grit he needed to.
"He's really grown in that area. We talked about that a lot, what it has to look like. I think he's seeing the fruits of his labor."
After missing 14 of 18 shots as ISU split its first two games, Banks sank 8 of 14 and connected on his only 3-point attempt. He was both effective getting to the basket and persistent in finishing the play regardless of defensive resistance.
"I put a big emphasis on trying to get to the paint, being a scorer and just making the right play," said Banks. "If I get down there and it's single coverage, go score the ball.
"If you draw two, make the right read, kick it out and get something going. I'm trying to find that balance of being a scoring threat and being a great playmaker, too."
Pedon believes Banks' early shooting woes were not indicative of his overall performance.
"He is generating shots for our team at an elite level ," the ISU coach said.
Challenge accepted
ISU trailed 48-44 at the first timeout of the second half and faced a 54-48 deficit with 13:13 to play before launching an offensive.
"They came over to the timeout like the wind got knocked out of their sails. I challenged them 'we've been here before, what are we going to do. This is exactly what we need right now,' " said Pedon.
"They responded. In that moment it became a player-led team tonight. And my hope is moving forward that will be the same. Players win games."
Six points from Banks, a Johnny Kinziger 3-pointer and back-to-back treys from Caden Boser helped the Redbirds to a 77-64 advantage with 3:36 to play.
"We know we're a great 3-point shooting team, but we can't rely on that," said Kinziger, who scored eight of his 10 points after halftime. "We decided we've got to get to the paint more. In practice, we've been working on generating 3s from paint touches and it's been working out."
Boser doesn't miss
Boser was 6 of 6 from the field and 4 of 4 from 3-point range for an ISU career-high of 16 points.
"It's a great feeling. The arena got rocking so it was a good time," Boser said. "We were super confident. Coach preaches that, too. Confidence is the key to winning."
Boser scored three points in ISU's first two outings.
"Caden was tremendous. He gave us a lift," said Pedon. "He provided sound, tough and disciplined defense just as much as he helped us on the offensive end. He's a mismatch problem. He can pick and pop (shots) and he can also guard fives (centers). He's one of the guys I think the game paid him back tonight."
With ISU utilizing a smaller lineup at the other four positions, the 6-foot-8 Boser alternated with 6-9 Chase Walker as the tallest Redbird on the floor. Walker scored 13 points.
"Chase is a great player. He's definitely got me beat in the post. He's a monster down there," Boser said. "When I'm on the bench to start the game, I definitely do look at how they're guarding us. It allows me to know what I need to do when I go in."
Putting up numbers
Ty Pence continued his breakout sophomore campaign with 10 points.
The Redbirds shot 61.2 percent from the floor (61.2 percent), 10 of 19 from 3-point range (52.6 percent) and missed just one of 16 second-half free throws (93.8 percent) after not making a first-half trip to the line.
Ohio, which fell to 1-2, received 20 points from AJ Brown as one of four Bobcats in double figures.
Skunberg, Lieb still out
The Redbirds remain without 6-5 North Dakota State transfer Boden Skunberg and 7-1 center Brandon Lieb.
Skunberg was sporting a protective boot on his left foot Tuesday.
"Hopefully, he'll be back soon, but it's not a one-week thing," Pedon said. "How long that will be I don't know, nobody does. Certainly we're missing him. He's a big part of what we're doing."
Lieb has suffered an injury to his fingers.
"He's on a little bit longer time schedule as well," said Pedon. "I don't have an exact day or time period (for his return). It's longer than a week."
Scouting the talent
Representatives of the NBA's Washington Wizards and Miami Heat were on hand Tuesday at CEFCU Arena.
Sunday twin bill
The Redbirds meet NAIA program Trinity Christian at 4:30 p.m. Sunday at CEFCU Arena.
That game will be preceded by the ISU women facing Le Moyne at 2 p.m.
Photos: Ohio University at Illinois State at CEFCU Arena
