Last season, the Ball State men's basketball team was short in stature both on the court and on the bench.
The Cardinals were one of the shortest teams in the Mid-American Conference, relying on transfer Terrance Chapman and injured center Tom Howland to add a little size to the frontcourt. Joining them were senior forwards Cameron Echols and Robert Owens.
But this season, help appears on the way.
Transfers Charles Bass and Anthony Kent, and freshman Landon Adler, all 6-foot-9 or taller, join a healthy Howland and Chapman in the frontcourt this season. Kent, who joined the team at the beginning of last season, could start right away. Bass, who joined the team after fall semester ended last year, will be eligible after fall semester ends in time for the Butler game on Dec. 22. Joining them is Adler, a freshman from Adams Central High School in Decatur, Ind.
The Cardinals will again start the season missing at least one inside player in Bass, who might be forced to sit out beyond when he's eligible to start playing again, because of a recently repaired torn Achilles tendon. Adler might also be forced to sit out the beginning of the year because he's recovering from bone spurs.
Coach Tim Buckley said the new big men bring versatility, even going so far in saying Kent, a versatile 6-11 junior who transferred from Columbus State, could see action at point guard at times for defensive purposes. He also said he feels the added height will help on defense more so than offense.
"If we get beat off the dribble, you've got 6-foot-10, 6-foot-11 guys rotating instead of 6-foot-5. That makes a big difference," he said.
"That's a lot of my game, being able to match up inside and outside, trying to create matchup problems for the other team," Kent said.
The women's team is also looking to its inside players to step up and become a major contributor, and they sound ready to do just that.
"Post play is going to be huge this year and I think that we're going to handle it," sophomore Becca Bajorek said.
Bajorek will be joined by juniors Raechelle Hampton and Krista Stewart, and freshman Brandy Ross to hopefully provide a formidable inside presence.
"I know I'm ready, I know Raechelle's ready, and the freshmen, they're working hard and they're going to get it," Bajorek said.
Hampton, who started in six games last season, is the only inside player with any starting experience. She played in all 29 games, averaging 6.1 points and 3.7 rebounds. In a Nov. 3 exhibition game, Hampton led the Cardinals with a game-high 22 points and added nine rebounds in 36 minutes of play.
Stewart played in 20 games last season, and was one of the top players off the bench.
Although the new big men's main roles will be improving defense and rebounding, Buckley said they know what to do with the ball down in the post.
"All those guys can score down on the block, which is an advantage," he said. "These guys have a great understanding of what to do with the ball.
"We've hung our hat on defense. We were 11th in field goal percentage on defense two years ago; we were number one on defense last year."
With a more dangerous inside presence, the Cardinals should be able to open up the perimeter for its talented backcourt.
"Us being down there on the blocks will open up for the guards to get some more shots," Bass said.
Even with the added height, the men's team will still rely on the entire team to contribute in rebounding and every aspect of the game.
"We're going to have schemes, we're going to have plans. What it boils down to is the will of the players," Buckley said. "If the players have the will to carry out the scheme and the preparations, we'll have a good year. I think they do have that will; it's just a matter of imposing that will on your opponents and on each other day in and day out."
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