Ball State learned Monday it will play Drexel as one of the 11 games in ESPN's Bracket Buster on Feb. 19. The game will be televised on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPN Plus. Network and game time assignments will be announced Monday.
Drexel is located in Philadelphia and plays in the Colonial Athletic Association. The Dragons are 10-8 overall and 6-4 in the CAA after suffering an 86-72 loss on the road against Old Dominion last night. Drexel's last win was an 88-60 victory over James Madison on Saturday.
"I have not watched any film on Drexel," Buckley joked after Monday's game against Eastern Michigan.
Other Bracket Buster games involving Mid-American Conference schools are Wichita State at Miami, Southern Illinois at Kent State, Arkansas-Little Rock at Bowling Green, Western Michigan at Northern Iowa and Buffalo at Fresno State.
The 22 teams chosen were selected from an expanded pool of 64 schools that were selected before the season. Last season ESPN used only 46 schools to select 10 games. In its first year (2003) all 18 teams selected played in games. The rest of the matchups, while not official Bracket Buster games, will be determined today.
The Bracket Buster was started as a way to showcase mid-major schools that have potential to gain an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. Ball State has participated in all three Bracket Busters, having traveled to Western Kentucky in 2003 and playing host to Detroit in 2004. Western Kentucky defeated the Cardinals 86-74, and Detroit defeated them 70-49.
As part of the agreement, Ball State will have play at Drexel next season as part of its non-conference schedule.
The Cardinals have one meeting with Drexel. The two teams faced in 83-84 at Irving Gym, and the Cardinals won 60-55.
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
