It was a preseason practice, but it seemed more like a tournament game.
Jaylin Walker hit a three-point shot and jawed at his teammates. Jonathan Nwankwo threw down a breakaway dunk with so much force that it echoed through the M.A.C. Center. Danny Pippen finished off an alley-oop and literally fell into the arms of his teammates, who were waiting underneath the basket, cheering.
The practice was reminiscent of the intensity the team had last year when they beat out the top three seeds in the Mid-American Conference Tournament.
The team will need that intensity because when the Flashes take on Youngstown State Saturday, they’ll be doing so with a target on their back.