Giving back before giving it their all

The USI Men's Basketball team, set to play in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight for just the fourth time in school history Wednesday, operates on three main rules.

Number one: Go to class. Number two: Choose right over wrong. Number three: Enjoy playing basketball.

If the team ever decides to expand its list, the three words on the front of the bright orange shirts worn by players and coaches Tuesday morning while leading a clinic for kids at the YMCA's Caldwell Community Outreach Center would be an appropriate addition: make a difference.

"It's really something that I know a lot of our guys are passionate about-making an impact in the world-so it was awesome," said Jacob Norman, a senior forward and Evansville native who quickly embraced his role as leader of the clinic's defensive station.

For an hour, Norman and his teammates led 18 elementary and middle school students through defensive drills, helped them with their shots, taught them how to pass and gave pointers to improve their ball handling. The gym was buzzing.

"I had a lot of fun," said Deonatae Edison, a fourth grader at Glenwood Leadership Academy. He said the clinic gave him a reason to put down his tablet and get moving over Spring Break.

"I used to be one of these kids, so me coming out here and doing this and giving back-it felt really good, and I think it got me geeked up for the game," said Emmanuel Little, a sophomore forward from Indianapolis.  "Just seeing them kind of reminded me of myself when I was little-just a kid who wanted to stay out of trouble and play sports. I see a lot of smiles on their faces, and that's always good to see."

"It's not often that you get to do things like this, and I think, honestly, it was as neat of an experience for us as it was for these kids," said Norman. "Just to think that we could have an impact on their future, I think it was awesome. I cherished every interaction I had with the kids."

Learning more than basketball

Sean Kuykendall, community outreach branch executive director with the YMCA of Southwestern Indiana, loves creating opportunities for young people. This one was extra special.

"We do a lot of clinics at the Y and different places, but to truly bring a team down to the Center City of Evansville and have these kids do a clinic in their own neighborhood is just an experience they don't get to have usually," he explained.

Which is why Kuykendall made sure to take full advantage of the Eagles' visit-to not only teach the kids about basketball, but also the importance of being good students who work hard in the classroom. Before a single ball was bounced or shot taken, he asked USI players to share some of the lessons they've learned.

"I told them to practice good habits at a young age because it'll carry over when they get older," said Little. Other players told the kids to "do your homework early" and "surround yourself with good people."

And, of course, the group heard about the team's three rules.

"Find something that you enjoy doing and be great at it," Brent Owen, USI assistant coach, told the kids.

Enjoy the game

That is exactly what the Eagles plan to do Wednesday night.

"It's the first time and maybe the only time that it [the Elite Eight] will be in Evansville [with USI playing], so it's an opportunity to be a part of something really, really special that does not happen very happen very often," said Norman.

As a local player with a huge family (including around 40 aunts and uncles), he expects to see plenty of friendly faces in the stands. But getting an even bigger boost from the USI and Evansville communities could be a game changer-literally.

"Whenever you have a crowd there like that, it just gives you that extra energy on defense to where you're like, 'There is no way my man is getting around me, no way that I'm going to be outfought in this game with something I can control like defense.' So it really does make a difference."

Despite the hometown-if not home court-advantage, USI will be the underdog Wednesday, at least on paper. The Eagles (25-8) are the seventh seed; West Texas A&M (34-3) the second.

But as Emmanuel Little put it, "If there's a great crowd out there, there's no reason we shouldn't win."

Elite Eight Game Schedule 

(Wednesday, March 27 at the Ford Center)

No. 4 Nova Southeastern vs. No. 5 Saint Anselm, 12 p.m.

No. 1 Northwest Missouri State vs. No. 8 Mercyhurst, 2:30 p.m.

No. 2 West Texas A&M vs. No. 7 Southern Indiana, 6 p.m.

No. 3 Queens (NC) vs No. 6 Point Loma, 8:30 p.m.

Stream the games: NCAA.com