Playing in front of the hometown fans is always difficult. The desire to rise to the challenge and represent is unavoidable, but so are the distractions.
As an Indianapolis native, freshman guard Chris Hill has more to think about than just the Big Ten Tournament. Family and friends will buzz with excitement, challenging the budding star to maintain his focus.
“As far as helping or playing better, I wouldn’t say that at all,” Hill said. “I know that it will be exciting and enjoyable to be back in Indianapolis. I don’t know if it will necessarily help.”
Hill’s ability to remain focused will be a key to the Spartans’ success in the tournament. In 28 games, he’s 11.3 points a night in more than 29 minutes a game.
“Early on and through the beginning parts of the season I didn’t expect to play this well or this many minutes,” Hill said. “But it’s gotten to the point now where I’ve found my role and am trying to contribute in different ways and maximize what I can do.”
But the distractions will be plentiful for Hill. His sister, Nikki, 15, said there will be plenty of family at Conseco Fieldhouse when the Spartans (18-10 overall, 9-6 Big Ten) play.
“We’re very excited it’s in Indianapolis,” Nikki said. “He’ll have a bunch of support behind him.”
MSU head coach Tom Izzo said playing in front of family adds more pressure for Hill.
“It’s a new setting,” Izzo said. “Different media obligations. Different family ticket obligations. All those things that go for first time guys.”
But Izzo said he expects Hill to remain just as poised as he always does.
Hill may always seem calm and collected, but his nerves have got the best of him in the past.
In a game against Seton Hall on Dec. 22, Hill threw up on the court. Teammates immediately began referring to Hill as Willie Beamen, the flamboyant quarterback who threw up during pressure situations in Oliver Stone’s football movie “Any Given Sunday.”
Besides the incident against Seton Hall, Hill’s nerves have taken over before games in the locker room.
“He may have ice in his veins, but not in his stomach,” Izzo said.
Fellow freshman guard Kelvin Torbert said Hill has recently shed the nickname. He said Hill hasn’t lost his lunch since Feb. 12, when MSU lost to Illinois at Breslin Center.
“We’ve laid off him a little bit because he hasn’t thrown up the last few games,” Torbert said.
Hill attributes his newfound ability hold down his lunch to the basic freshman learning curve. As the conference season has progressed, Hill has become used to the nerves that come with it.
“I haven’t done it for a while, so hopefully I can keep that away,” Hill said. “I’m finding ways to control it, it’s something I’m working on and trying to get through.”
