With a five-game winning streak in tow, Ball State heads to Kalamazoo, Mich., attempting to keep pace in the Mid-American Conference West race.
The Cardinals (8-6 overall, 5-1 MAC) are tied with the Broncos for second place in the West Division, one game back of Toledo. The Rockets sneaked past Bowling Green 83-80 Thursday, and BSU travels to Toledo on Wednesday.
First, the Cards must deal with a Western Michigan team that had its 11-game win streak snapped at East leader Kent State two days ago. The Broncos (12-2 overall) feature the Nos. 3 and 4 scorers in the MAC, junior guard Ben Reed (18.9 points) and senior forward Mike Williams (18.8, 7.1 rebounds). Burly 6-7 center Anthony Kann checks in at 10.8 and 7.0, but scored just two points at Kent.
"They shut down Kann; that was a big key," Buckley said of how the Flashes downed WMU. "They probably mixed up their defenses. They played them at home; that helped.
"We need to play the way we play and continue to get better at the things we can get better at."
During the winning streak especially, that has meant a balanced team approach on offense, "the best team play in my four years," Buckley said after one game, and strong defense against 3-point shooters.
Ball State has had at least three players scoring in double figures each of the past five games, with four different leaders. On the season, Robert Owens (13.4 points), Dennis Trammell (12.6) and Cameron Echols (10.0) are the leaders.
"We've still got to keep winning and find ways to win," Trammell said. "We've just got to go out and play, defend and rebound, all the things we've done in the last five games to win."
Cardinals opponents are making just 29 percent of their 3-point shots. That aspect will be challenged by Reed, who has drained 57 percent (40 of 70) of his long-range attempts. However, Buckley warned that Reed can do more than drop long bombs.
"He's obviously a good shooter, but with a player like Reed, he does a lot of things well," Buckley said. "He can catch-and-sweep and then drive the baseline. He's a powerful player."
Reed and his teammates have obviously flourished under first-year coach Steve Hawkins, who stepped up from assistant when Robert McCullum took the South Florida job.
"The transition has been smooth," Buckley said. "On and off the court, it's probably pretty similar how they do things. Their defense has been a strength. They're a good shooting team, and they're versatile."
While Buckley's team has started MAC play strong at home, its lone victory this season came when it broke the infamous Oxford hex (56-50 at Miami) Saturday.
"It's not how you start," Buckley said. "It's how you finish."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
