Kelly Packard said her Ball State University women's basketball team must reflect. Whether it wins or loses, Packard said, the team goes through a self-evaluation process.
"And in the Indiana case, there was plenty to reflect on," she said.
After losing 84-68 to Indiana University on Nov. 14, the Cardinals will play Robert Morris University at 8 p.m. at Worthen Arena. The game is a consolation game in the Preseason Women's National Invitation Tournament.
Robert Morris lost its WNIT first round game to No. 22 Xavier University 79-49.
Packard said she and her coaching staff showed the team in what aspects it didn't execute. The team looked like it was back on its heels on offense and defense from the tipoff at Indiana, she said.
"I don't know if it's nervousness or intimidation, I'm not sure," she said. "But those are things that we need to get a hold of pretty quickly."
Senior guard Kiley Jarrett said her team has gone to practice since the Indiana loss with the mindset of improving its execution.
"We have to go into practice knowing that we are going to make mistakes," Jarrett said. "We just have to work every day toward getting those mistakes limited."
Packard said the team still needs to work out a solid rotation and that will come together as the season progresses.
Although the Cardinals are learning a new offense and defense, Packard said, the team has looked "solid" in practices.
She said those days excite the coaching staff and shows them the team is learning.
"On the flip side of that, there are times when there is obvious confusion," she said.
Jarrett, who scored 11 points and had four assists in the loss to Indiana, said it would take the team more time in the season to catch on to the new offense and defense.
"Changes always take people a while," she said.
Packard said she wants her team to set a tone today for the rest of the season with a victory. Also, a victory would work toward reestablishing the team's confidence, she said.
"There are reasons for us to be confident," she said, "but we need to step into that opportunity on Friday evening."
Jarrett said she wants her team to play as a unit and win the team's first game.
"Hopefully, we can improve on some things and go out there and prove to everyone that we're going to be a team that's going to get up and down the floor and pressure other teams into mistakes," she said.
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