Burton Relishes Role With The Hoosiers
9/23/2015 8:53:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Ryan Burton is that guy. Every team has one. A steady influence who doesn't draw attention to himself. He has his priorities straight. His days as a player will come to an end in about six to seven months. However, he knows that he will leave Indiana University with two degrees and have a lifetime to remember the events that helped join an exclusive club. He is an Indiana men's basketball player.
"I have absolutely loved it," said Burton who joined the team in the spring of 2014. "Coming in and walking on that spring and being part of summer workouts last year was an absolute blast. Starting off my career with a trip to Canada and then coming in for the season was an awesome time."
The Bedford native began his college career at Division II power Bellarmine University in Louisville. He played in 58 games for the Knights and averaged 4.1 points and 1.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 48.6 percent from the floor for his career and 40.0 percent from 3-point range. He was able to play in the NCAA Tournament twice and was a two-time Academic All-GLVC performer to boot.
Then, he decided to focus solely on his academic career and was accepted into the Kelley School of Business in at the IU Bloomington campus. For the time being, Burton thought his playing days had come to an end.
"I mean I was transferring mostly for the academics, going to the Kelley School (of Business), taking a year off to focus on that," said Burton. "But when the opportunity came up to play here at Indiana, I decided to embrace the opportunity and do whatever I could to help the program."
After the Hoosiers finished the 2013-14 season, Burton began his journey to reach his goal of playing for the team his family had followed his entire life. Fortunately, he was able to be part IU's five game trip to Canada in August 2014. He played in all five games and averaged 1.6 points and 1.0 rebounds and showed that he could give the Hoosiers minutes, if needed, when the season started.
"Last year, I really enjoyed it. Now coming up on my second year, it's my last go-round with college basketball, so there will be even more excitement moving forward," said Burton.
He played in 14 games and made all four of his shots during the 2014-15 season and grabbed 10 rebounds. He did the bulk of his damage in the first game of the season against Mississippi Valley State, when he scored six and grabbed five boards in 13 minutes. But the key moment for him last season was when he came off the bench to help an injury-riddled interior and grabbed three offensive rebounds, which allowed the Hoosiers to post a win at home over Penn State.
"We like Ryan a lot," said IU head coach Tom Crean after that game. "Coach Steve McClain was in my ear last night and today saying 'Don't forget about Ryan. He has toughness. If we need something, don't forget about Ryan', and he was right. I thought Ryan's five minutes for us were a really, really valuable five minutes."
For now, Burton is content with being one of four seniors on the squad. He lets his effort and work ethic serve as an example for others. But it is his work in the classroom that has garnered him the most attention.
Burton is one of seven Big Ten players to be named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches Honors Court, which honors upperclassmen for their success in their field of study. The forward graduated this spring with a degree in finance and accounting from the Kelley School and now joins fellow seniors Nick Zeisloft and Max Bielfeldt pursuing a masters degree from one of the most prestigious business school's in the country.
"It has been a huge thing for me to get my academics in order," noted Burton. "I finished my undergrad work and am moving into the MBA program and it's called the 3/2 program in Accounting. That's definitely keeping me busy with 18 credit hours this fall, but I am enjoying all of it and the basketball part of it as well."
What also has him excited is the chance to be on a team that is nationally ranked in the preseason and looks to return to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year.
"Coming off last season and going into this past summer, we have been working harder than ever," said Burton. "We have the sand pit with Coach L (Lyonel Anderson) pushing us every day and then the other coaches pushing us during basketball workouts. I think there is a lot of excitement as we get closer to this season."
Burton knows that his role is to do whatever is needed. If a teammate needs help moving, Burton is there with his truck. If he needs to do extra work when no one is watching, he does that to. But most importantly, Burton will do what Coach Crean expects him to do at practice, in a game, or in the locker room.
"Coach has the confidence in me and the other seniors in Max, Nick and Yogi to lead," said Burton. "I'm just thankful for this opportunity and I treasure every moment of being a part of this program."
"I have absolutely loved it," said Burton who joined the team in the spring of 2014. "Coming in and walking on that spring and being part of summer workouts last year was an absolute blast. Starting off my career with a trip to Canada and then coming in for the season was an awesome time."
The Bedford native began his college career at Division II power Bellarmine University in Louisville. He played in 58 games for the Knights and averaged 4.1 points and 1.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 48.6 percent from the floor for his career and 40.0 percent from 3-point range. He was able to play in the NCAA Tournament twice and was a two-time Academic All-GLVC performer to boot.
Then, he decided to focus solely on his academic career and was accepted into the Kelley School of Business in at the IU Bloomington campus. For the time being, Burton thought his playing days had come to an end.
"I mean I was transferring mostly for the academics, going to the Kelley School (of Business), taking a year off to focus on that," said Burton. "But when the opportunity came up to play here at Indiana, I decided to embrace the opportunity and do whatever I could to help the program."
After the Hoosiers finished the 2013-14 season, Burton began his journey to reach his goal of playing for the team his family had followed his entire life. Fortunately, he was able to be part IU's five game trip to Canada in August 2014. He played in all five games and averaged 1.6 points and 1.0 rebounds and showed that he could give the Hoosiers minutes, if needed, when the season started.
"Last year, I really enjoyed it. Now coming up on my second year, it's my last go-round with college basketball, so there will be even more excitement moving forward," said Burton.
He played in 14 games and made all four of his shots during the 2014-15 season and grabbed 10 rebounds. He did the bulk of his damage in the first game of the season against Mississippi Valley State, when he scored six and grabbed five boards in 13 minutes. But the key moment for him last season was when he came off the bench to help an injury-riddled interior and grabbed three offensive rebounds, which allowed the Hoosiers to post a win at home over Penn State.
"We like Ryan a lot," said IU head coach Tom Crean after that game. "Coach Steve McClain was in my ear last night and today saying 'Don't forget about Ryan. He has toughness. If we need something, don't forget about Ryan', and he was right. I thought Ryan's five minutes for us were a really, really valuable five minutes."
For now, Burton is content with being one of four seniors on the squad. He lets his effort and work ethic serve as an example for others. But it is his work in the classroom that has garnered him the most attention.
Burton is one of seven Big Ten players to be named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches Honors Court, which honors upperclassmen for their success in their field of study. The forward graduated this spring with a degree in finance and accounting from the Kelley School and now joins fellow seniors Nick Zeisloft and Max Bielfeldt pursuing a masters degree from one of the most prestigious business school's in the country.
"It has been a huge thing for me to get my academics in order," noted Burton. "I finished my undergrad work and am moving into the MBA program and it's called the 3/2 program in Accounting. That's definitely keeping me busy with 18 credit hours this fall, but I am enjoying all of it and the basketball part of it as well."
What also has him excited is the chance to be on a team that is nationally ranked in the preseason and looks to return to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year.
"Coming off last season and going into this past summer, we have been working harder than ever," said Burton. "We have the sand pit with Coach L (Lyonel Anderson) pushing us every day and then the other coaches pushing us during basketball workouts. I think there is a lot of excitement as we get closer to this season."
Burton knows that his role is to do whatever is needed. If a teammate needs help moving, Burton is there with his truck. If he needs to do extra work when no one is watching, he does that to. But most importantly, Burton will do what Coach Crean expects him to do at practice, in a game, or in the locker room.
"Coach has the confidence in me and the other seniors in Max, Nick and Yogi to lead," said Burton. "I'm just thankful for this opportunity and I treasure every moment of being a part of this program."
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