The Ball State University men's basketball team's 2009-10 regular season schedule is now officially complete more than halfway through the season.
The Ball State athletics department announced Monday that the Cardinals will play host to the University of Tennessee at Martin Feb. 20 in the eighth annual ESPNU BracketBusters event.
Game time is yet to be determined, however, Matt McCollester, assistant director of media relations, said it will be known by the end of the week. This season's ESPNU BracketBusters game also requires Ball State to travel to UT Martin next season.
The Skyhawks (3-17), a member of the Ohio Valley Conference, have struggled both offensively and defensively this season. UT Martin is winless in OVC play (0-10) and on the road (0-11), and are the worst shooting team in the country, converting just 36.7 of its shots from the field. The Skyhawks' defense has struggled, as well. They allow 77 points per game, which ranks No. 319 out of a possible 334 NCAA Division I teams.
UT Martin is led by junior guard Marquis Weddle. Weddle, the 2007-08 OVC Freshman of the Year, leads the team with a 15.6 points-per-game average.
Three other Skyhawks average double figures, including junior guard Benzor Simmons, who is second on the team in scoring (14.3) and leads the team in rebounding (5.9).
The ESPNU BracketBusters game is an annual event geared towards getting national attention to mid-major conferences, such as the Mid-American Conference or the OVC, so its schools have a better shot at a postseason tournament appearance.
The Cardinals (11-9, 5-3 MAC) defeated Tennessee Tech University 59-55 at Worthen Arena in last season's ESPNU BracketBusters event.
Currently on a season-high-tying three-game winning streak, Ball State returns to action Thursday as it plays host to Bowling Green State University at Worthen Arena.
2009-10 MAC ESPNU BracketBusters games
UT Martin at Ball State
Valparaiso at Bowling Green
Buffalo at Saint Peters
Tennessee State at Central Michigan
Eastern Michigan at Detroit
Southeast Missouri State at Miami
Northern Illinois at Eastern Illinois
Wright State at Ohio
Toledo at Cleveland State
Western Michigan at Southern Illinois
*Akron and Kent State's games will be televised, and their opponents will be announced later tonight.
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