Ball State University's latest opponent knows what it's like to struggle at the beginning of its season.
Central Michigan University, like the Cardinals, started 0-5 in 2007-08. Also like the Cardinals, four of those defeats came by a margin of 13 points or fewer.
However, since then the Chippewas have won six of their last eight, one of them a victory at the University of Michigan. Ball State earned its first win against IPFW on Dec. 31, but continues to try to find a groove.
Ball State will attempt to stop Central Michigan's run and keep the Chippewas from becoming the first Mid-American Conference team to win a league game on the road this Sunday when the two teams collide. It will be the Cardinals' MAC home opener.
"It's going to be a challenge for us to maintain our discipline at home and take care of our home court," Ball State coach Billy Taylor said.
Adding to the challenge will be Central Michigan's senior guard Giordan Watson. Watson is the leading returning scorer in the MAC from last season and currently ranks third in the conference, averaging 16 points per game.
"He's really expanded his game from years past," Taylor said. "He was more of a scorer last year. I think this year he has really become a terrific playmaker. He can make plays for other people. He's got a lot of guys around him who can finish in the paint."
One of those big men is Purdue University transfer Nate Minnoy, who has stepped into a starting role for the Chippewas and ranks second on the team in scoring at 11 points per game while also averaging five rebounds per game.
Taylor said the Cardinals will look for more balance offensively against Central Michigan. Ball State got 14 points from players besides captains Peyton Stovall and Anthony Newell in the team's MAC opener Sunday, a loss at the University of Toledo.
"It comes down to the execution of our offense," Taylor said. "We're trying to be precise in what we're doing so we get opportunities within our offensive system for other guys. Our execution was sloppy at times at Toledo."
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