The perception in Mid-American Conference men's basketball this season is the Eastern Division being far and away superior to the West Division.
The records might defend that notion. Through Tuesday night's games, five of the six East teams have at least a .500 record and all six teams have a 62-48 overall record. Ball State University has the only winning record of the six West teams at 9-8, and the division has a combined 34-75 overall record.
Don't tell that to Cardinals coach Billy Taylor.
Ball State, which leads the MAC West with a 4-1 league record, opens up the East portion of its schedule tonight when it travels to Bowling Green State University.
"I think we'll certainly get everyone's best effort when we go over and play against the opponents from the MAC East. It's just up to us to how we respond to it," Taylor said. "I don't know which side's better, East or West, it really doesn't matter to us. We just have to come out and play well every opportunity we get, and it starts with BG."
Taylor said he's pleased with his team's performance in the conference, but doesn't want any complacency to set in.
"We still have a long way to go," Taylor said. "4-1 doesn't clinch first for us in the MAC and we want to continue to play well and be in that same position at the end of the MAC season."
The Falcons (9-9, 2-3 MAC) lie near the middle of several key MAC statistical categories, but lead the conference in defensive field goal percentage, blocked shots, assists and assist-to-turnover ratio.
"[Bowling Green is] playing a bigger front line, they're very physical, athletic ... they can block shots at the front of the rim, and then they've got guards that can score the ball," Taylor said. "They're a dangerous team because they have three legitimate perimeter scorers and they're physical on the front line."
One of those guards is senior Nate Miller. Miller, a two-time Honorable Mention All-MAC selection, was the Falcons' selection on the Preseason All-MAC Team this season.
Miller leads three Bowling Green scorers averaging 11.9 points per game and also leads the team with 5.9 rebounds per game. Taylor said Miller's overall size and versatility makes him a matchup problem.
"He's really effective getting to the basket, can also make perimeter jump shots, can post up well - just a very versatile game," Taylor said. "He's a very tough matchup in that 6-5, 230-pound guard. Those guys are hard to stop."
Senior guards Brian Moten at 11.7 points and Darryl Clements at 10.3 points per game round out the Falcon scorers averaging double digits.
Tonight's game is set for a 7 p.m. tipoff.
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