Indiana State males’s basketball coach Matthew Graves is taking a go away of absence after having triple coronary heart bypass surgical procedure on Monday, the athletic division introduced in a information launch.
Affiliate head coach Mark Slessinger will function Indiana State’s appearing head coach till Graves returns. The Sycamores didn’t say after they count on Graves again.
Indiana State will launch updates after they grow to be obtainable.
Indiana State Coach Matthew Graves Skilled Chest Tightness
Graves, 50, lately visited Union Hospital in Terre Haute for an analysis after experiencing tightness in his chest, and medical doctors decided he wanted surgical procedure.
“I’m actually grateful for the unbelievable medical doctors at Union Well being for serving to my household and me by way of this course of,” Graves stated in an announcement.
“I stay up for rejoining this system within the close to future. With coach Slessinger’s expertise as a former head coach, I’ve full confidence in his management throughout my absence. Can’t wait to see everybody again within the Hulman Middle, Go Sycamores!”
Assertion from Indiana State Males’s Basketball
Sending our heartfelt ideas and prayers to the Graves household throughout this time and all through his restoration!https://t.co/n3rEAED32U#MarchOn pic.twitter.com/GAz8GmyPgd
— Indiana State Basketball (@IndStBasketball) October 20, 2025
Graves is in his second season at Indiana State. The previous Butler guard went 14-18 (.438) in his first season with the Sycamores. He went 65-96 (.404) in 5 seasons with Alabama earlier than returning to his residence state as an assistant coach at Evansville in 2018.
Graves was on Xavier’s employees for 2 seasons, then joined the Sycamores as assistant head coach from 2021-24 earlier than being promoted to move coach.
Slessinger, in the meantime, spent the earlier 13 seasons as head coach at New Orleans, the place he went 171-222 (.435) and led the Privateers to the NCAA Event within the 2016-17 marketing campaign.
Indiana State is scheduled to play an exhibition recreation towards Butler on Oct. 29 in Indianapolis. The Sycamores will open their 2025-26 season on Nov. 3 at Charlotte.



