Ball State University men's basketball coach Billy Taylor said points will come at a premium as the Cardinals travel to Miami University for a pivotal Mid-American Conference matchup against the MAC East Division second place RedHawks.
The West Division-leading Ball State (10-9, 5-2 MAC) come into the game tied with the University of Akron for first place in the MAC in scoring defense at 59.3 points per game allowed, while Miami is averaging 59.4.
"Going there to Miami, playing on the road, is going to be a significant challenge for us," Taylor said. "We're really going to have to make sure we take care of the basketball against the pressure that they put on the ball, and don't turn the ball over when we're driving the gaps and take care of the ball when we do get it to the interior."
Taylor said the RedHawks' (12-7, 5-2 MAC) size presents several problems. Miami's starting lineup features all five players at or above 6-foot-4.
The RedHawks are led by senior forward Michael Bramos. Bramos - a Second Team All-MAC selection last season and a MAC All-Tournament Team pick in 2006-07 - is second in the MAC with a 17.2 points per game average.
Taylor said he is aware of Bramos as an outside shooting threat. Bramos is sixth in the MAC with a .387 3-point field goal percentage and first in 3-pointers made per game with 2.53.
"Michael Bramos is a terrific shooter and really stretches your defense with his ability to make long-range shots, whether it's off the catch or off the bounce," Taylor said.
In the paint, senior forward/center Tyler Dierkers, this week's MAC East Player of the Week, averaged 13.5 points and 10 rebounds per game in Miami's games against Eastern Michigan University and Northern Illinois University last week.
Dierkers comes into the game averaging 8.9 points and a team-best 7.5 rebounds per game, second in the MAC, and leads the MAC in minutes played per game with 36.16 average.
"Dierkers is a very skilled player," Taylor said. "I think a lot of times its kind of underrated with his game the fact that he's getting double-doubles, but he's such a good passer in the perimeter and playmaker, that he can get the ball to Bramos coming off screens, or feed the ball to [center Adam] Flethcer in the low post."
The game, which begins at 7 p.m., will be broadcast by The Ball State Sports Network and will be picked up by ESPN Full Court.
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
