Ball State plays its only exhibition game tonight at 7 p.m. in Worthen Arena, with the Taylor Trojans visiting Muncie.
Taylor, an NAIA school, has already played four games on the season and is 3-1. The head coach Paul Patterson, is in his 26th season at the school and boasts a career record of 571-254.
The two schools have played each other three times -- from 1934-36, when Branch McCracken coached the Cardinals. Ball State won all three matchups.
New NCAA legislation this season barred men's Division I teams from playing exhibitions against traveling all-star teams.
Ball State coach Tim Buckley said even though Taylor is an NAIA school, playing the Trojans does have its advantages over a team of former college stars.
"They have more of a plan than all-star teams, and they've practiced together more," Buckley said. "Their game experience will help."
Listed as probable starters for the Cards are Peyton Stovall at point guard, Dennis Trammell and Skip Mills on the wings, and Terrance Chapman and Anthony Kent up front.
Buckley said one thing he wants his team to do is show the crowd how good it can be this season. The Cardinals, who were 14-15 last season, were picked second in Mid-American Conference West by the media.
"They should have confidence in themselves," Buckley said. "This group has prepared itself unlike any other I've been around."
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