After suffering its first setback of the season Saturday atpreviously winless Wright State, the men's basketball team is notlooking past Anderson tonight.
Following a 78-65 home victory over Urbana, the Division IIRavens bring a 2-4 record to Worthen Arena.
Three years ago they rallied late and nearly pulled off an upsetin Muncie. The two teams have not met since that 80-76 game, andBall State (2-1) holds a 9-1 series advantage.
"We're going to treat this game like Xavier or Butler," seniorforward Cam Echols said. "We've got to come out and get ontop."
The Cardinals should go over the top of the Ravens, as well.
Ball State starting forwards Echols and Terrance Chapman stand6-8 and 6-6, respectively. The projected Anderson forwards areMuncie Southside product Dustin Furney (6-5) and Andrew Anglemeyer(6-4). Anderson's tallest player is 6-7 Wyatt Ash, but Ball Statehas Robert Owens (6-7, 12.7 points per game) and Tom Howland (6-11)coming off the bench.
Ball State has struggled to score inside so far. Chapman isscoring 9.3 points per game, but Echols has just 6.0 afteraveraging 13.1 last season.
Echols and head coach Tim Buckley said they feel the team'srebounding and defense need to improve as well.
Buckley also pointed out that to score more from the inside, theCards must penetrate and feed the post better, not continuallyhoist outside shots like the second half at Wright State.
"We can't settle for (outside) shots, and we did that (in thesecond half)," Buckley said. "It's all in how we manufacture shots.We were doing more inside-out in the first half."
Buckley said Anderson will try to use its depth to set a fastpace and counter its lack of height. Sometimes veteran Ravens coachDenny Lehnus will substitute a completely different lineup.
"They pretty much play 10 to 12 guys," Buckley said. "They keeprotating fresh bodies.
"They're going to come in and compete. We feel very stronglyabout their program."
Guards Paul Wright (16.5) and Rhett McCoy (10.8) lead the Ravensin scoring. Wright racked up a career-high 31 points Monday.
Junior Dennis Trammell's 15.7 average tops the Cards. He drilledfour 3-pointers in the first half at Wright State but none in thesecond as the team's shooting slid downhill (four of 30).
"We weren't so much angry as disappointed at knowing we can playbetter, and we will," Buckley said. "I think the focus will bethere. They're a smart group and know it's time to move forward.We've got to get back to playing how we play."
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