It is Ball State's shortest road trip in the Mid-American Conference, but the journey to Miami's Millett Hall has also been arguably the most frustrating one for the Cardinals.
Eleven consecutive times has Ball State left Oxford, Ohio, on the short end. The Tim Buckley era alone has seen Miami's Alex Shorts hit a game-winner in the waning seconds, BSU's Rob Robbins clank a game-tying 30-footer off the front iron at the horn, and Cameron Echols taking a split second too long to release what would otherwise have forced overtime.
"The streak is (former coach) Dick (Hunsacker)'s fault," Buckley joked. "I think he started it. We just need to get over that hump."
Getting over that hump would not only end an 11-year drought, but would give the Cardinals (6-6 overall, 3-1 MAC) their first win of the season.
"We need to be more consistent over 40 minutes," said Buckley, referring not only to road games earlier this season, but also past trips to Miami. "That's a key on the road."
Ball State carries a three-game winning streak to Miami, while the RedHawks (7-5 overall) are also 3-1 in the MAC. Charlie Coles' team moved within one-half game of Kent State in the East Division by defeating the Flashes on Wednesday.
Senior guard Juby Johnson tops the RedHawks with 15.3 points, while point guard Chet Mason adds 12.1 points, as well as team bests of 7.8 rebounds and 42 assists. Forward Danny Horace tallied 40 points and 18 rebounds in two games against BSU last season, but has missed the last two games with an ankle injury.
Despite his team's bad luck at Millett Hall, Buckley still enjoys the games there.
"It's a great place to play; I love it," he said. "We get a lot of Ball State fans there.
"It's a tough place to play for every team in the MAC, not just us."
For senior forward Robert Owens, a win in what's likely his last trip to Oxford would have a little extra meaning.
"I know a lot of those guys," said the Columbus, Ohio, native, who notched 27 points and 10 rebounds on his 22nd birthday to pace Ball State's 90-75 win over Central Michigan on Wednesday. "(The series), it's gone back and forth, though. It's just a fun game to play."
The last 10 meetings between the schools have been a 5-5 split, including two MAC Tournament wins by Ball State.
The Cardinals have scored 90-plus points in their last two games, including second-half performances of 61 and 56 points.
"They've done a terrific job of playing together," Buckley said. "This is the best team play I've had in four years. It's a very willing group; the team takes precedence over everything."
"We're just spreading the ball around a lot more," added Owens, who leads the team with 13.6 points per game. Dennis Trammell checks in at 13.2 and Echols 9.9 with 6.8 rebounds.
Backup center Tom Howland sat out Wednesday's game and did not practice Thursday because of swelling in his knee due to a dislocated kneecap. The 6-10 sophomore may play Saturday, though.
"It's day-to-day," Buckley said. "If he dresses, he'll probably play.
"Hopefully we'll get a chance to have him on Saturday," he said after the Central game. "We could have used him tonight, and I know we'll need him on Saturday."
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