Ball State University will march into the hornets' nest of Champaign, Ill., today to take on one of the best men's tennis teams in the country.
The University of Illinois is ranked No. 15 and has a reputation for protecting its home courts.
"We're a huge underdog," Ball State coach Bill Richards said. "I can count all the times Illinois has lost at home the past six years on one hand."
The Fighting Illini were national champions in 2003 and runners-up in 2007. Illinois is one of five schools from the Big Ten on the Cardinals' schedule. Ball State plays as many Big Ten teams as it does teams from its own conference.
"We have to stay injury-free and make improvements at every position," Richards said. "It's a long, long season. The conference part is far away."
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