George Mason's improbable run to the Final Four hopefully opens the door for more mid-major schools to be included in the tournament, but Ball State University shouldn't count on it. -á
Instead, the athletic department and whoever is named the new men's basketball coach ought to take the same approach as before - win the conference tournament for a guaranteed birth.-á
That takes a certain kind of mindset - a winning mindset - that must be attained before any talk of a tournament championship can begin. To attain that mindset, several changes need to occur with the program, not only in terms of who the head coach is.-á
The university had better be willing to pay the new head coach a competitive salary compared to other Mid-American Conference and mid-major schools. The program's return to success will heavily depend on who becomes coach.-á
Rumors have recently surfaced that UNC-Wilmington coach Brad Brownell will be announced as the new Ball State coach, although the athletic department denies that report. Memphis assistant coach Tony Barbee has also publicly expressed interest in the job.-á
The new coach needs to put a system in place that will energize the team, excite the community and entice fans to Worthen Arena.-á
That's one other key that must occur for Ball State to return to the NCAA tournament and the top of the MAC. The passion has to return for Ball State fans. -á
Attendance dwindled to pathetic numbers as the 2006 season progressed. But it's a double-edged sword - in order for those numbers to return to their previous level, fans have to have a reason to come back.-á
This season, George Mason beat then-No. 18 Wake Forest, 83-78. While the Demon Deacons didn't have typical Wake Forest-type success this season, the fact that the Patriots were willing to play them certainly helped persuade the tournament selection committee to invite them as at-large bids.-á
George Mason also played Memphis, Maryland and Michigan State in 2005, narrowly losing to the Spartans by six.-á
Outside the rivalry with Butler, Ball State has resorted to playing the likes of Division II schools such as Anderson and Oakland City. The Cardinals also play Indiana State, IUPUI and Wright State - not exactly powerhouses in basketball.-á
Historically, Ball State has proven it can play with the big boys. Look no further than the 2001 Maui Invitational Tournament run, in which Ball State beat third-ranked Kansas and fourth-ranked UCLA before losing to top-ranked Duke in the championship game.-á
And of course, the 1990 Sweet Sixteen team of Paris McCurdy, Chandler Thompson and Curtis Kidd is considered by many Cardinals fans to be the pinnacle of Ball State's success.-á
So if Ball State wants to return to prominence, the schedule has to be beefed up to include mid-major schools that consistently compete for selection in the tournament.
Write to Ross at rrflint@bsu.edu
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