Popped in at the Gates Center this afternoon to watch a little of the men's basketball practice a day after the Mastodons beat Alma 71-43 in their exhibition game Monday at the Coliseum.

It's hard to tell in watching about a half hour of practice, but the team looked fairly spirited. Not much walking; not much yelling by coaches, which is always a good thing.

Guard Kevin Harden looks good. Moves well. Penetrates the lane well. And 6-8 center Steve Forbes, who had 9 points in the exhibition, was working out with the first team, dressed in blue.

Later on, coach Tony Jasick said he couldn't recall an exhibition game in which IPFW imposed its defensive will as quickly as it did Monday.

IPFW opens its season Friday when it visits Auburn.