Entering the 2007-2008 season, the big knock on the Ball State University men's basketball team is a lack of height, as junior forward Anthony Newell, at 6'5", is the tallest player on the roster.
The Cardinals spent Sunday's exhibition game against Anderson University setting to work on proving that a lack of size won't keep them from dominating the boards, grabbing 24 offensive rebounds in an 82-61 victory against the Division III Ravens.
"People look at our team, and we're small but we grabbed offensive rebounds," first-year Cardinals' coach Billy Taylor said. "We did get to the foul line. We did a lot of good things in areas that are supposed to be weaknesses of ours."
Ball State's rebounding was led by Newell, who compiled 14 of them to go along with 16 points despite not starting the game because of a recent illness that had caused him to miss practice.
"Anthony Newell had been sick," Taylor said. "He hadn't practiced the previous two days. We weren't sure how much we'd be able to get out of him. He gave us a great effort."
Newell said his rebounding job on Sunday is foreshadowing of what he wants to be able to do consistently this season.
"I rebounded pretty well last year, at eight a game," Newell said. "But I'm trying to get double digits this year. If I don't, I'm going to be mad at myself every night."
Ball State started and finished the game with extended scoring runs, but a shooting dry spell early in the second half nearly turned into disaster for the Cardinals.
The team held a 42-34 halftime advantage that quickly shrunk to a 45-44 lead early in the second half. However, Ball State would not allow Anderson to take the lead and reeled off 37 of the game's final 54 points.
"It's the first time you're playing with the lights on, and you have a brand-new scheme offensively and defensively," Taylor said. "You expect some things to be a little bit of a struggle at times. Credit to Anderson, their kids played hard. They run their stuff well."
The Cardinals made efforts to spread the ball around against Anderson. Ball State recorded assists on 16 of their 31 made field goals, led by senior guard Peyton Stovall with five.
Newell said that Taylor has instilled a pass-first mind set in the team.
"Got to pass first," Newell said. "We have the type of team where there's no one that's just going to take them off the dribble and be a one-on-one player. We've got to play together. If you get everybody involved, it's a better feel for the game."
Ball State was led in scoring by freshman forward Malik Perry, the only forward in the Cardinals' starting lineup, who had 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting.
"I really love Malik's effort and energy in there," Taylor said. "He brings physical play and presence to our team."
Perry and Stovall started the game alongside freshman guard Melvin Goins and junior guards Brandon Lampley and Rob Giles. Taylor said that starting lineup is not necessarily the same one that will step on the floor on Friday when the Cardinals host Butler University in the season opener.
"We're still working on it," Taylor said. "We're just going to go with who's playing well, and who's understanding and executing our game plan."
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