As it stands, the history between Ball State and IU is a bit weighted. IU leads the series 14-1. Heading into Saturday's game however, Ball State might have the advantage.
Ball State will head into Saturday's game ranked No. 15 coming off three double-digit wins. Not only double-digit wins, but spreads of 41, 21 and 24 points respectively against Elon, Austin Peay and Thursday's opponent, IPFW.
IU just recently fell from the rankings after losing to Southern Illinois on Dec. 1.
IU head coach Mike Davis realizes that Ball State will be a tough game for his 7-2 Hoosiers come Saturday.
"Ball State is going to be a tough game," Davis said. "They're a really good basketball team. They have speed and quickness in the backcourt, (Theron) Smith is a good player that causes problems for any No. 4 man in the country."
Smith recently has been a key factor for Ball State. Against Elon he pulled in a career-high 17 rebounds. Against IPFW however, Smith crushed his record, tallying 21 rebounds while standing as the high-scorer for the game with 29 points.
"Smith is an outside guy who'll cause problems, because a lot of big guys can't guard him out on the floor," Davis said of the Ball State junior. "He's a really good one-dribble, pull-up shooter. He'll face you up and drive on you. And in the post, he's a good player."
There is one advantage that IU will have over Ball State. It will be an advantage the Cardinals have yet to deal with -- a sold out, opposing home crowd.
It's not a small crowd either. Assembly Hall holds 17,456 fans at full capacity according to Mike Roberts, ticket manager for IU.
According to Ball State coach Tim Buckley, that is the type of atmosphere players should look forward to.
"Players want to play in front of big crowds and get exposure," Buckley said. "Players want their teams recognized, and that is what is happening right now."
Even though Buckley believes it will be good exposure, he didn't deny the fact that playing in a sold-out Assembly Hall will be difficult.
"It will be a tough place to play," he said. "(IU) shoots the ball very well in Assembly Hall, and I think they are glad to be home after some travel."
Cardinal guard Chris Williams emphasized how important his team's focus will be in order to have success over the Hoosiers Saturday.
"We have to change our preparation," Williams said. "When we were in Maui, we had so much focus. We aren't as focused when we play teams like IPFW."
With the realization that the team's focus will have to be at it's best, Williams is confident the team will be ready.
"I think we will be focused," he said. "We get up for the big games."
Despite the focus and despite where the game is being played, according to Buckley, "Indiana is as good as any team in the country right now."
On threat IU poses that Buckley discussed was sophomore forward, Jared Jeffries.
Jeffries averages 16 points a game as IU's leading scorer.
"Jeffries the other night was scoring the ball inside and outside, which makes him a tough threat," Buckley said.
Buckley went on to say that it's not just Jeffries that is the threat but the other shooters around him.
Through it all, Buckley and his team are ready to make the travel to Bloomington.
"This is as highly credentialed as Ball State has ever been being paired up with Indiana," Buckley said.
"We are always confident. We are also humble though," Buckley said.
"We are up to a big challenge every time we play. There is a more heightened awareness around Ball State basketball and it just makes it that more exciting."
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