After Ball State University concluded its second straight year setting a single-season program record for losses, it's easy to wonder just how long it will be before the Cardinals are a Mid-American Conference contender again.
The answer is: Much sooner than you think.
Ball State will have the personnel to be a high-ranking team in the MAC next season, and it will be because of a strong returning core and a sorely needed infusion of size in the incoming freshman class.
As opposing coaches never failed to point out in postgame press conferences, Ball State was not nearly as bad a team as their 6-24 record would indicate. Many of the Cardinals' defeats were due to a simple lack of experience - as more than one Cardinals' player put it, the team needed to "learn how to win." Ball State lost seven games by six points or fewer this season, and ten games by ten points or fewer.
Ball State lost many close games due to free throw shooting. The Cardinals shot 65 percent from the charity stripe in 2007-2008, and in many instances this season, a slight uptick from well below average to slightly below average outings at the free-throw line would have resulted in Cardinals' victories.
The Cardinals also faced issues defending the three-point shot. Opponents shot 39 percent from beyond the arc against Ball State. In many instances the Cardinals faced a team shooting well above their season average from three-point land. Because of a lack of inside presence, coach Billy Taylor was forced to pack his defense inside, attempting to compensate for a lack of size with manpower. Unfortunately for Ball State, this left open jump shots on many occasions.
On a couple of occasions, Ball State was just unlucky. The Cardinals' most disheartening loss of the season, an overtime loss at Kent State University that was the closest the Kent State came to losing a home game all year, came after a controversial tip-in basket that the Cardinals' coaches felt should have been basket interference.
In 2008-2009, things have a good shot to be different.
For one thing, the Cardinals will gain more manpower than they will lose. Senior guard Peyton Stovall ended his career 10 all-time in school history in scoring, was consistently the team's best shooter this season, and is a decent bet to one day raise his number 12 to the rafters of Worthen Arena. His contributions won't be forgotten.
However, having Stovall as the only departing senior is a boon to the Cardinals, who will bring in three players 6'5" or taller this fall. The trio is led by 6'9" Michigan City High School star Jarrod Jones, who chose the Cardinals over Northwestern, Penn State and Xavier. Barring a catastrophe, one would think Jones will start at center for Ball State when they open next season.
Cardinals' coach Billy Taylor's first full off-season to implement his system will also reap benefits for Ball State. The team will bring back the best returning player in the MAC in Anthony Newell, who despite the occasional shooting struggles still managed to finish second in the league in scoring as well as third in rebounding. The Cardinals also bring back Melvin Goins, who showed flashes of brilliance offensively while providing consistently strong defense.
Considering how close Ball State actually was to being a MAC contender this season and the influx of size, the one factor that probably hurt the Cardinals more than any other this season, it's perfectly reasonable to predict that Ball State will finish with a winning league record next season and may even have a chance to challenge for the West division title.
If that happens, Billy Taylor will be deserving of the MAC coach of the year award that will come his way.
Write Andy at ndistops@hotmail.com
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
