The end of another Ball State University men's basketball season is approaching, a season more reliant on Cardinals' freshmen than many in the past.
Ball State's final regular-season game is Sunday afternoon at Western Michigan University. The Broncos have already clinched the Mid-American Conference West Division title.
Forward Malik Perry and guard Melvin Goins are perhaps the better-known rookies. The six-foot-four-inch Perry has essentially been playing center for the undersized Cardinals all season, starting every game, while Goins has started all but two games for Ball State after entering the school with the hoopla of being a McDonald's All-America nominee.
Completing the trio is Rashaun McLemore, who has quietly started the last eight games and raised his scoring average to 6.4 points per game with improved consistency.
Goins, Perry and McLemore rank third, fourth and fifth respectively in scoring for the Cardinals this season.
Ball State coach Billy Taylor said McLemore's skill set is unique.
"He takes a lot of pride in his game," Taylor said. "He's someone who can score in the open floor. He's been able to get some chances to cut to the basket."
Taylor said the freshman forward has a unique talent for getting to the basket that's valuable to the team.
"That's talent, that's understanding how to play the game," Taylor said. "Rashaun's a player that's got a nice frame, so he can get to the basket, absorb some contact and still go in and finish."
McLemore had difficulties shooting free throws much of the season, peaking in the Cardinals' 63-58 loss at Central Michigan University, when he missed seven free throw attempts.
However, since that game, McLemore has made his last eight shots from the charity stripe.
"He knows he let the team down by not making some free throws in some other games," Taylor said. "He worked at it. We certainly don't expect him to go a hundred percent the rest of his career, but the fact that he got better is certainly a positive step."
Taylor said he understands being a freshman involves a certain inconsistency.
"It's going to vary," Taylor said. "I'd love to say that we know freshmen are going to deliver certain things on any given night, but that's not the way it is in college basketball. We want them playing well. There are many ways they can contribute, even if they're not playing their best game."
The Cardinals have locked up the 10th seed in the upcoming MAC tournament. A first-round victory would match Ball State up with Western Michigan, so Sunday's game might not be the last time the two teams tangle this March.
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
