With two big non-conference victories already in the bag, BallState travels for the first time this season Saturday. They go toDayton, Ohio, to face a struggling Wright State team.
The Raiders are 0-3 in the young season, including a loss toNAIA power Cedarville.
But Ball State coach Tim Buckley said he sees Wright State asthe wounded animal that his team must be ready for, especiallygiven the unfriendly confines.
"I think they (WSU) got surprised, and that can happen,"Buckley, whose team has begun the season with comeback wins overXavier and Butler, said. "We're looking forward to the challenge.It's a new frontier for us. We go on the road into what willprobably be a hostile environment."
Junior guard Matt McCollom, who experienced last year's 2-11road record, wants to reverse that trend.
"Last year we didn't win much on the road," he said. "The wholekey for us is to come out hard and smart. I know we'll come outhard. That's not an issue. It's if we come out smart."
Buckley and his team want to avoid a similar fate that befellthe 2001 Cardinals. That team defeated No. 3 Kansas and No. 4 UCLAbefore falling to Duke in the Maui Invitational Championship, butit was unable to live up to the expectations subsequently heapedupon it.
For now, Buckley said he wants to continue the defensiveintensity of the first two games and contain the Raiders' top twoscorers -- seniors Vernard Hollins (18.7 points) and Seth Doliboa(14.0). Freshman Vova Severovas grabs 9.7 rebounds per contest, andDoliboa grabs 7.7.
"They've got a nucleus of two scorers we'll have to do a goodjob against," Buckley said. "They're like how we were in my firstyear. They're looking for their roles."
Against Butler, McCollom's role was mostly on the bench. Thestarting guard scored five points in just 15 minutes, includingfour in the second half, but he said he has no complaints.
"My game just wasn't there, and some guys off the bench werehaving a good night," McCollom said. "If someone is off, we havepeople that can step up. After last year, all I care about iswinning. I could sit the whole game as long as we win.
"This team is incredible how it doesn't give up. It's adifferent guy stepping up each night."
In the first game, it was senior Robert Owens stepping to thefore with 23 points off the bench. Butler saw junior guard DennisTrammell take over in the second half and finish with 22points.
Buckley says he has faith in Trammell, who was voted a teamcaptain after sitting out last season as a transfer, to keep theCardinals on an even keel.
"It's his lockerroom," Buckley said. "He initiates a lot ofthings. He does it on his terms. He says what a coach would wanthim to say, and he does it his way."
MARGINALIA GREY BOX PLEASE.
Buckley said he anticipates having a meeting in the next fewweeks with sophomore center Kevin Cates, a starter in 2002-03 whohas not practiced with the Cardinals this season due to anunspecified medical condition.
Cates, who averaged 3.4 points and 5.1 rebounds as a freshman,sat with the team in the first two games. The meeting could decidewhether Cates will attempt to return or sit out the season.
"I hope the meeting produces what Kevin wants," Buckley said."We'll be respectful of what he wants. Kevin's going to callsometime next week and let me know (when it will be)."
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