Indiana University Athletics
Burton Continues To Play His Role
3/21/2016 12:46:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By: Sam Beishuizen, IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Ryan Burton walked out of Indiana's team hotel carrying a game program and wall sticker commemorating his first two NCAA Tournament wins. He wanted keepsakes to remember the moment.
After all, that's why he came to Bloomington in the first place.
"This is what you live for," Burton said after beating Kentucky Saturday. "This is IU-Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament. Whoever they put in front of you, you've just got to take it and roll with the punches."
Burton's dream run through the NCAA Tournament with the Hoosiers—the team he grew up rooting for from nearby Bedford, Indiana—almost never happened. He was never a standout star at any level. He averaged 11 points per game for Bedford North Lawrence his senior season before averaging 4.8 points per game over 58 career appearances with Division II Bellarmine.
Burton nearly gave up the game for good after two seasons at Bellarmine to come to IU and enroll in the Kelley School of Business before the 2013-14 season. When the idea of walking on at Indiana started becoming a real possibility, Burton knew he'd be expected to help in spurts and mostly behind the scenes.
Even so, he took the chance hoping to one day make a difference for a championship team.
Now he's reaping the rewards.
"It's definitely special, really special," he said. "That's a lot of work paying off."
Coaching connections got Burton in the door. He knew former IU strength coach Je'Ney Jackson, was familiar enough with the program from his time as a fan and teamed with Bellarmine head coach Scott Davenport to earn an invitation to a summer tryout he used to earn a walk-on roster spot.
Nothing was guaranteed for Burton. He'd be going through the same practices, workouts and schedule as the rest of his teammates without a scholarship to back him up. But the chance to play for the school he grew up rooting for was worth it enough.
"He's done a phenomenal job of everything that's asked, making himself better, putting himself in positon to be relied up on practice," head coach Tom Crean said on senior night. "He's had games where he's come in and done a great job, and I think you'll continue to see it this year."
As it turns out, the latter was prophetic.
Burton has played in all three of Indiana's postseason games after being on the floor for a total of 62 minutes over 20 appearances in the regular season. In the most critical games of the season, Burton has been on the floor.
None of what Burton does is flashy. It couldn't be if he tried.
"He's one of the most fundamental human beings I've ever been around in my life," senior guard Nick Zeisloft said. The two are roommates, both studying at the Kelley School of Business.
When told about what Zeisloft said about him, Burton shakes his head and laughs.
Summing up his own game, Burton only needs two words.
"Stops and rebounds," he said.
What about shooting?
"If I get open, I can probably shoot it when it comes down to the stretch," Burton said. "But we've got other shooters."
That's Burton, the 6-foot-7 forward who was sitting quietly in front of his locker while the likes of Kevin Yogi Ferrell, Troy Williams and Thomas Bryant were surrounded by media. He's doesn't mind going under the radar. If anything, he prefers it.
"He's one of the most mentally tough individuals I've ever been around in my life," Zeisloft said. "Just every single thing he takes to the most importance. He does everything 100 percent. He does it right. He doesn't let anything go wrong. If he messes up, he does it again and fixes it. That's everything he does."
That's how Burton is wired. He's like that on the court. He's like that on the classroom. He'll be like that when he leaves.
Just before stepping onto Indiana's team bus out of Des Moines, Burton made his way through a crowd of IU fans congratulating him on his season. He made time to spare a few words with just about everyone that came across him.
As he left the hotel for home, the NCAA program and sticker stayed in his hands.
"He represents all of you in such a class way," Crean told IU fans on senior night. "You'd be fortunate enough to have him hired in your company someday. Trust me."
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Ryan Burton walked out of Indiana's team hotel carrying a game program and wall sticker commemorating his first two NCAA Tournament wins. He wanted keepsakes to remember the moment.
After all, that's why he came to Bloomington in the first place.
"This is what you live for," Burton said after beating Kentucky Saturday. "This is IU-Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament. Whoever they put in front of you, you've just got to take it and roll with the punches."
Burton's dream run through the NCAA Tournament with the Hoosiers—the team he grew up rooting for from nearby Bedford, Indiana—almost never happened. He was never a standout star at any level. He averaged 11 points per game for Bedford North Lawrence his senior season before averaging 4.8 points per game over 58 career appearances with Division II Bellarmine.
Burton nearly gave up the game for good after two seasons at Bellarmine to come to IU and enroll in the Kelley School of Business before the 2013-14 season. When the idea of walking on at Indiana started becoming a real possibility, Burton knew he'd be expected to help in spurts and mostly behind the scenes.
Even so, he took the chance hoping to one day make a difference for a championship team.
Now he's reaping the rewards.
"It's definitely special, really special," he said. "That's a lot of work paying off."
Coaching connections got Burton in the door. He knew former IU strength coach Je'Ney Jackson, was familiar enough with the program from his time as a fan and teamed with Bellarmine head coach Scott Davenport to earn an invitation to a summer tryout he used to earn a walk-on roster spot.
Nothing was guaranteed for Burton. He'd be going through the same practices, workouts and schedule as the rest of his teammates without a scholarship to back him up. But the chance to play for the school he grew up rooting for was worth it enough.
"He's done a phenomenal job of everything that's asked, making himself better, putting himself in positon to be relied up on practice," head coach Tom Crean said on senior night. "He's had games where he's come in and done a great job, and I think you'll continue to see it this year."
As it turns out, the latter was prophetic.
Burton has played in all three of Indiana's postseason games after being on the floor for a total of 62 minutes over 20 appearances in the regular season. In the most critical games of the season, Burton has been on the floor.
None of what Burton does is flashy. It couldn't be if he tried.
"He's one of the most fundamental human beings I've ever been around in my life," senior guard Nick Zeisloft said. The two are roommates, both studying at the Kelley School of Business.
When told about what Zeisloft said about him, Burton shakes his head and laughs.
Summing up his own game, Burton only needs two words.
"Stops and rebounds," he said.
What about shooting?
"If I get open, I can probably shoot it when it comes down to the stretch," Burton said. "But we've got other shooters."
That's Burton, the 6-foot-7 forward who was sitting quietly in front of his locker while the likes of Kevin Yogi Ferrell, Troy Williams and Thomas Bryant were surrounded by media. He's doesn't mind going under the radar. If anything, he prefers it.
"He's one of the most mentally tough individuals I've ever been around in my life," Zeisloft said. "Just every single thing he takes to the most importance. He does everything 100 percent. He does it right. He doesn't let anything go wrong. If he messes up, he does it again and fixes it. That's everything he does."
That's how Burton is wired. He's like that on the court. He's like that on the classroom. He'll be like that when he leaves.
Just before stepping onto Indiana's team bus out of Des Moines, Burton made his way through a crowd of IU fans congratulating him on his season. He made time to spare a few words with just about everyone that came across him.
As he left the hotel for home, the NCAA program and sticker stayed in his hands.
"He represents all of you in such a class way," Crean told IU fans on senior night. "You'd be fortunate enough to have him hired in your company someday. Trust me."
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