Ball State's men's basketball team lost four seniors to graduation last season, but coach Tim Buckley said that his team isn't short on leadership. He listed five players-Charles Bass, Peyton Stovall, Skip Mills, Darren Yates and Chris Ames as the teams leaders.
"There's a core group of guys," Buckley said. "Those are the guys who have shown the leadership skills we need."
The five players come from different paths. Bass transferred from Ohio State and has been injured nearly his entire time at Ball State. Ames is a newcomer to this team, transferring from junior college Southeastern Illinois, while Stovall, Mills and Yates have played together at Ball State.
Absent from that list are the team's two seniors: Anthony Kent and Tom Howland, both centers.
"I think this can get better, and I'm working for it to, but right now it's not either one of our seniors," Buckley said. "And part of that is because we have not been able to count on them in every area. I think that when we are able to count on them in every area, we will be a much better basketball team."
Bass, who has battled leg injuries his entire career, should get to play at Ball State this season.
"Charles Bass gives us a completely different look than we've had," Buckley said. "He's long; he's athletic. He was the third fastest guy in our three-quarter court sprint."
Yates is recovering from foot surgery, but is helping the coaches from the sidelines.
Stovall has recovered from a torn ACL to become the fastest person in the three-quarter court sprint. Buckley said that Stovall coming out after tearing his ACL in the first half against Bowling Green in the first round of the Mid-American Conference tournament was important in his growth.
"For Peyton to come out in one of his most difficult times, personally, to come out and be with his teammates, I think speaks volumes," he said.
In that same game Mills was thrust into the point guard position. Mills had spent most of the season as a starting power forward, but managed to lead his team, adding 25 points and carrying the team from 15 points down at halftime to having a chance to win.
"Skip Mills is playing with a competitive fire," Buckley said. "I think part of that is being at a point where it is no longer acceptable to try, it's do or do not. And right now, he's doing. And I think it's starting to rub off on the other guys."
Ames, meanwhile, adds to the team's depth as power forward and is the lone newcomer on Buckley's list.
Buckley also said that he plans to use 5-foot-8-inch freshman guard Maurice Acker and Stovall together during points this season. Stovall will not be relinquishing the point guard duties, but rather working with Acker in different sets to exploit matchups.
Buckley added that Landon Adler has completely reinvented himself this season.
"(He's) completely different," Buckley said. "He never has an excuse - and that's what makes him a winner in my mind, because he's willing to accept responsibility to become a better player, and that's a major transformation."
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