Consistency is always a key component to having a successful basketball team. Elon University men’s basketball coach Matt Matheny had that for 21 games, using the same starting lineup in all of those contests.
But following three straight losses, including a blowout on the road to University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a 62-59 setback at Samford University, Matheny knew it was time for some changes.
Changes for the better.
Matheny inserted senior guard Jack Isenbarger and junior guard Kevin Blake into the starting lineup, replacing junior Austin Hamilton and sophomore Tanner Samson. The move paid off immediately, as all four performed well against Western Carolina University Jan. 30, the first game of the switch.
“What I am excited about in the lineup change is not only did we get a little bit of a spark from Jack and Kevin, but I really like how Austin and Tanner responded,” Matheny said. “I thought Austin came in and was playing on his toes and really attacked. I thought Tanner came in ready to go tonight, and he hit big shots.”
Senior forward Lucas Troutman described the changes as “something new, something fresh, and something different.” He said the team was “angry” coming into practice after the three consecutive losses.
“[It was] anger towards ourselves for not playing the way we know how to play, doing the things we know how to do,” Troutman said. “Coach [Matheny] always talks about the little things. We haven’t been doing the little things. We used that as motivation this week.”
That motivation led to a 74-60 victory over Western Carolina and an 83-76 win on the road at Appalachian State University Feb. 1.
Isenbarger’s situation was unique compared to others. He is a two-time All-Southern Conference selection and had started until this year. He entered the season with a nagging stress reaction in his foot, causing him to miss the first three games and see limited action in the next two.
Since his return, Isenbarger has steadily progressed, averaging 8.6 points per game while averaging 22.7 minutes per game. He was a combined 7 of 9 from three-point range for 25 points in his two starts against Western Carolina and Appalachian State.
“It didn’t feel that much different, although there is that added excitement to starting the game off,” Isenbarger said. “Every player wants that.”
Blake, on the other hand, was just making his fourth career start in 76 games when he took the floor against Western Carolina. He made a lasting impression, constantly attacking the rim through the lane and tallying 12 points on 5 of 5 shooting.
Overall, Blake has had an up-and-down season, playing 10 games in which he played less than 10 minutes and seven games where he played for 15 minutes or more. He’s had games of 13 points and 12 points (twice) but is only averaging 3.7 points per game.
“Kevin’s spark was very noticeable,” Matheny said.
Samson started the season off hot, catching opponents’ eyes with his sharp three-point shooting stroke. He scored 17 points in the first two games of the year and had a career-high 23 against Virginia Military Institute Dec. 3, but he has only registered double figures twice since Dec. 19. In the 11-game span since, Samson is 21 of 70 (30 percent) from three point land.
He bounced back with a 15-point game against Western Carolina in which he made 4 of 6 from beyond the arc and an 11-point game against Appalachian State.
Hamilton was coming off a 2013 campaign that was shortened due to a knee injury and has recovered well. He tallied double-figure scoring totals in five of the first eight games while distributing 30 assists in those matchups. Since his hot start, he’s gone scoreless in four games.
The changes benefit the Phoenix in a number of ways, most importantly giving the team a different vibe and look following their losing streak. While no player loses minutes, the changes take advantage of each player’s strengths.
Attacking was one big takeaway from the Western Carolina game, and Blake does that on a regular basis and can set the tone early by doing so. Samson, who normally starts the game hot, can now come off the bench and provide a spark as the opponent is wearing down.
Isenbarger gets to provide his leadership from the get-go, while Hamilton can give Isenbarger time to rest and facilitate the team’s motion offense.
Matheny said he was pleased with the changes following the Western Carolina win, and made it clear the changes were here to stay – at least for a little bit.
When asked if the team would stick with the lineup for at least the near future, Matheny replied, “I cannot imagine us changing it.”