Already with more wins (seven) this season through 14 games than last (six) the entire season, the Ball State University men's basketball team travels to Mount Pleasant, Mich., on Saturday to take on Central Michigan University.
The Cardinals (7-7, 2-0 Mid-American Conference) are off to their best start in MAC play since the 1999-2000 season, and are looking to have their first 3-0 start in the conference since the 1997-98 season. That Ball State team began MAC play 6-0 and finished 14-4 in the MAC, good enough for a first place tie in the Western Division, and ended up losing to the University of Memphis 90-67 in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament. Leading scorer and rebounder that season for Ball State? Then-senior Bonzi Wells at 22.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
The focus for this game definitely seems to be heading towards keeping the momentum going from Tuesday night's 60-54 win against Northern Illinois University. Ball State was playing in its first game without leading scorer and rebounder, senior forward Anthony Newell, who suffered a season-ending broken right leg in the Eastern Michigan University game on Jan. 10. Senior guard/forward Rob Giles filled in nicely for Newell, scoring a career-high 11 points on 3-of-7 3-point shooting in the win.
Central Michigan (3-11, 0-2 MAC) is always a tough road game, but it might be even harder for the players and coaches not to overlook the Chippewas' game on Tuesday - a 84-77 double overtime loss to Eastern Michigan. The Eagles are the same team that three days prior to their matchup against Central Michigan shot 28.6 percent against Ball State in the Cardinals' 46-42 win in Ypsilanti, Mich. The win against Central Michigan was Eastern Michigan's first against a Division I team this season.
It's promising to be a good one. Here are my notes and numbers on the Central Michigan Chippewas:
Ball State University Cardinals (7-7, 2-0 MAC) atCentral Michigan Chippewas (3-11, 0-2 MAC) Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009 - Mount Pleasant, Mich. (Rose Arena)
Series History: 80th meeting all-time; Ball State holds a 51-28 advantage, but is 16-23 all-time in Mount Pleasant.
Central MichiganLast Game: 84-77 double overtime loss to Eastern Michigan. Top scorer: guard Jordan Bitzer with 21 points. Top rebounder: forward Marcus Van with 12 rebounds.
Last Season: 14-17 (8-8 MAC)Last Season vs. BSU: 1-1; lost to Ball State 82-71 on Jan. 13, defeated Ball State 63-58 on Feb. 20.
2008-09 Offense:64.6 points per game.405 field goal percentage.327 3-point percentage.602 free throw percentage32.9 rebounds per game10.1 assists per game16 turnovers per game
2008-09 Defense:72.9 points per game allowed.450 field goal percentage allowed.344 3-point field goal percentage allowed.739 free throw percentage allowed35.9 rebounds per game allowed11.9 assists per game allowed8.1 steals per game2 blocks per game
Central Michigan Notes- Picked to finish third in the MAC West in the Preseason Polls.- The Chippewas had no players on the Preseason All-MAC team.- Central Michigan is in the midst of a six-game losing streak, beginning with a 72-69 loss to Illinois State University on Dec. 17. The Chippewas last win was a 74-66 win against Alcorn State University on Dec. 15. - The Alcorn State game is probably Central Michigan's best-played so far. In a comeback victory, the Chippewas held the Braves to 36.2 percent from the field, and Central Michigan shot 7-for-16 from 3-point land.- When looking in the MAC statistics, as a team, Central Michigan is second in 3-pointers made per game (6.86), fifth in offensive rebounds per game (12.5), and third in steals per game (8.14).
Three CMU players appear in the MAC individual top statistics:
Guard Jeremy Allen: 13th in scoring (12.4 points per game); 7th in free throw percentage (.778); 11th in steals per game (1.57) and 18th in minutes played per game (30.21).
Guard Robbie Harman: 16th in scoring (11.4 points per game); eighth in assists per game (3.21); sixth in steals per game (1.79); second in 3-pointers made per game (2.57); eighth in assist/turnover ratio (1.25) and second in minutes played per game (34.57).
Guard/Forward Jacolby Hardiman: 26th in scoring (10.1 points per game); 19th in rebounds per game (5); fifth in field goal percentage (.491); tied for 12th in steals per game (1.43); tied for 11th in offensive rebounds per game (2.21) and 11th in minutes played per game (31.57).
Projected Starters - Central MichiganGuard: #20 Robbie Harman, junior (6'1" 180) - 11.4 points, 3.2 rebounds per game; team-leading 3.2 assists per game Guard: #15 Jordan Bitzer, junior (6'3" 195) - 11.8 points, 6.8 rebounds per game; 92.9 percent free throw shooter Guard: #3 Jeremy Allen, sophomore (6'3" 185) - 12.4 points, 3 rebounds per game; 1.57 steals per game Forward: #34 Jacolby Hardiman, junior (6'5" 200) - 10.1 points, 5 rebounds per game; 49.1 percent 3-point shooter Forward: #40 Marcus Van, senior (6'7", 220) - 13 points, team-best 8.4 rebounds per game; .556 shooter from the field
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