First year Haskell basketball coach Matthew Downing, Jr., passes a ball to a cutting player as he installs a new offensive set during practice Monday, Nov. 9, 2015 at Coffin Complex.

When Matthew “Cougar” Downing Jr. was named the head men’s basketball coach at Haskell Indian Nations University on Nov. 4, he marked a few games on his calendar to monitor the progress of his team.

“There is a stretch of six games where I’ve kind of circled out and let the boys know that these are the ones that are going to set the tone for me in my mind as what kind of season we could have,” Downing said. “We’ve taken the first two or three (games) as just an evaluation to see who wants to compete at this level, who wants to do the little things and take that into account when we shorten our rotation and get into the heart of the season.”

The first of the marquee matchups was a rematch with McPherson — which defeated Haskell, 81-73, Oct. 31 in Coffin Complex — Friday in the Bethel Classic.

Checkpoint passed, and HINU did not stop there.

HINU claimed its first win of the season by defeating the Bulldogs, 57-56, and then carried momentum into Saturday’s game against the host Threshers, edging Bethel, 76-73.

Downing’s potion includes motion

Haskell (2-4 overall, 2-2 since Downing took over) is loaded with experience, with Free State High alumnus Justin Narcomey the lone freshman on the roster. Narcomey — who thrived as a long-range shooter at Free State — has been a big fan of Downing’s coaching style, especially the motion offense that he has incorporated.

“I’ve got a lot more open shots,” Narcomey said. “He encourages me to shoot when I’m open.”

Downing learned the motion offense while playing at Dodge City Community College from Brad Underwood, who is now the head coach at Stephen F. Austin. After playing at DCCC, Downing transferred to Maryland to suit up for Gary Williams from 1990-1992.

“What I learned from him at Maryland, it was his second year, is that time is short,” Downing said. “You get to this level, and you work 13, 14 years to play college basketball, and it goes by fast. I want the kids to play hard, but also enjoy it because you’re starting to count down the number of games you have left.”

Downing’s coaching career has centered around northeast Kansas, including a stop at Bishop Seabury Academy, where he was head coach during the 2006-2007 season before working as an assistant under current coach Ashley Battles.

Mentoring high-school-aged kids has been one of Downing’s favorite aspects of coaching, specifically working for Gametime Recreation Inc. starting in 1999.

Father knows best

Downing was a prominent player himself in northeast Kansas, leading Atchison High to two state titles while playing under his father, Matthew “Chic” Downing Sr. — a 2015 Kansas Hall of Fame inductee.

“I think the biggest thing I learned from him is being a people person and just understanding the players. Not everybody is the same,” the Haskell coach said. “Everybody is going to have different quirks. That is what makes the team special if you get to know their different personalities and what makes each guy tick.”

The elder Downing’s professionalism rubbed off on his son. “Cougar” wants his players to carry themselves in a respectful manner while continuing to learn on and off the court.

“Just being able to be around those guys and taking in the little things, paying attention to details. Showing up on the floor ready with your shirt tucked in,” Downing said. “Just small things that might not mean much in the grand scheme of things, but when it comes down to executing a play, you’re so used to the small details that you pay attention to them.”

New look with Nike

Narcomey knows first-hand that Downing wasn’t kidding about looking professional, as he was reminded to tuck his jersey in prior to the beginning of Monday’s practice.

HINU fans will see a clean new look from Downing’s squad at Haskell’s third home game at Coffin Complex. Haskell will wear Nike’s new “N7” uniforms (http://ljw.bz/1PtPYmg), when hosting Baker University on Nov. 24. HINU is one of eight schools to partner with Nike for its “N7” campaign, which was designed to promote Native American youth to be involved in athletics.

“I think they’re sweet. We got a chance to see them a few days ago and take a few pictures with them, and they are gorgeous,” Downing said of the turquoise uniforms. “I was a little taken back just with how it all came together and what it meant. Being here on campus, I was able to learn a little bit about the cultures and what certain things mean. Seeing that implemented into our uniforms and being a part of something on a national scale is big for the university.”

Putting Haskell on the national stage is important to senior forward Dallas Rudd as well. With the additional confidence that Downing has given his players over the past week and a half, Rudd has his eyes set on making a run to the NAIA Division II tournament in March.

“He just talks about how we are not to be counted out. Just because we are Haskell, we can still contend with everybody,” Rudd said. “Everybody puts the pants on the same way we do. He tells us to go out there and compete, and that he’s going to win either with us or in spite of us.”