Media Review

Heading into the Ball State game, I wanted to review what's being written about the two teams.

First, we have a fine analytical article by John Wagner looking at how playing time has fluctuated for the Falcons this year.  He notes that we were trying lots of combinations early on, but seem to have settled in a little big.

Note comments on the ongoing development of Danny McElroy, who (my opinion now) is JUST THIS CLOSE to breaking out, as well as the discussion of the importance of guard play.

Finally, here is what he says about Craig Sealey, who has not been getting minutes of late.

Orr said he hopes that he can find playing time for Sealey in the coming weeks.

"He's a guy that's getting better in practice every day," Orr said of Sealey. "He's earning my trust more every day. He's going to be very, very good.

"I'd like to try and find a way to play him and have him be productive because I think he can help us."

Very, very good.  I do like the sound of that.

Finally, Wagner notes we are 7th in the nation in steals per game.  The tempo-free version is even better.  I think lots of teams that get a lot of steals play up tempo, so the fact that BG is getting those steals in down-tempo play is interesting...and in fact, BG is 3rd in the nation in the percentage of possessions in which they get a steal, at 14.2% and the leader is at 14.4%.  (Oregon State, if you care).

From the Muncie Star-Press, we have a look at Ball's win at home over Buffalo, which snapped a four-game BSU losing streak.  They attributed the win to being able to get rebounds and get some fast break points against Buffalo, as well as the ability to win when Jarrod Jones does not score in double figures.  In fact, it was the first such win all season.

Don't think conference basketball is tougher?  Check out this on how Jones fared inside and outside the conference.

The 6-foot-9 junior forward is averaging 16 points and 9.1 rebounds in non-conference games. Those averages drop to 13 points and seven rebounds in MAC play where he faces constant double teams when he catches the ball in the post.

More in the way of a Ball State preview coming later.