Ball State Comes to Town (MBB)

 Ball State now comes into the Stroh. 

In the 80's and 90's, the Cardinals were the MAC's dominant team.  From 1981 to 2000 they made the tourney seven times and the Sweet 16.  It seemed like the natural order of things...being in Indiana and all. Rick Majerus coached them. Ray McCallum left after the last one and they went into the wilderness.  No MAC titles, no coach with better than a 52% record.

James Whitford was fired after last year. Their new coach is Michael Lewis, author of the Blind Side and Moneyball.

OK, not that Michael Lewis.

He is an Indiana guy who was an assistant at UCLA before coming to BSU.

They were picked #4 in the MAC and are right there at 5-3. They won @UT, and UA, WMU and @NIU, with losses @OU, @KS and UB.  They are 2-2 on the road in MAC play.

BG has won 6 of the last 10, but lost both games last year and the last 2 at the Stroh.

BG and BSU are similar, with both teams scoring about what they allow. BSU is better on defense and worst on offense. FWIW, 1.08 points per possession is just above the MAC average....MAC leads the nation in offensive efficiency (or is last in defensive efficiency).

They are not a great shooting team....#10 in the MAC. They get to average by being #5 in turnovers, #4 on the offensive boards and #6 at getting to the line. They are 10th in making FTs.  They try 36% from 3FG, which is below average, but they make 37%, which is #5.  They are 11th making 2FGs.  Overall, things are relatively similar when BSU has the ball.

They are not great against the shot, #9 overall.  BG leads the MAC in shooting.  Furthermore, BG is #1 in 3FG shooting and BSU is last defending the 3FG.  Otherwise, things are pretty similar.  BG does not force a lot of turnovers, but they are really good on the defensive boards, which contrasts with a BG strength.  So, you'd look to see BG make 3FGs and start protecting the ball.

Jarron Coleman leads the Cards with 17.9 PPG.  You may recall Mr. Coleman, who was MAC freshman of the year then transferred to Missouri where he played two seasons before coming BACK to Muncie.  He shoots 41% and 41%, leads the team with 27 assists and has 13 steals.

Their next leading scorer is Demarius Jacobs. He is a St. Louis transfer who played last year in Muncie.  He's the most efficient shooter in the MAC, making 60% on 2FGs and a conference-leading 57% on 3FGs. He has 26 assists. 

Jaylin Sellers is scoring 11 points a game. He's making 46% and 34%. He was all-Freshman last year in the MAC.

Their center, Payton Sparks is scoring 10.6 PPG on 55% 2FG shooting and leads the team with 7.4 RPG. He was MAC freshman of the year last year.

This one is at best 50/50, but it is a game BG should compete in at home.  They had a rough night Saturday at Savage and a win would be very helpful.