While enjoying her six-day holiday break, coach Kelly Packard couldn't resist reviewing last season's game film against Eastern Michigan on February 16, 2011. She jotted down some tendencies of her team as well as the Eagles'.
"Last season, we were able to build a lead of 15 points in the first half and we ended up losing that game," Packard said. "Being able to see what cost us in that game, it was rebounding and free throws."
Packard returned to work earlier this week and started game planning for her team's Mid-American Conference opener versus the same Eastern Michigan squad, which will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday inside John E. Worthen Arena.
Packard's notes from last season's defeat to the Eagles are virtually identical to this season's 60-58 loss to visiting Marshall on Dec. 31. The Cardinals were just 9-of-18 from the free throw line in their most recent game and watched their opponent come down with 12 more rebounds
Packard took away some good things from the Marshall game, but noted there is still a ways to go for her team this season. She said it's not going to come down to a matter of how quickly she gets her young team to move forward technically, but mentally.
"It's going to come down to how much I can get them to grow up and how they manage a 40-minute game emotionally," Packard said. "Games are going to have ebbs and flows of adversity, success [and] physical play. I think with our youth, sometimes when we get down, we really get down."
The Cardinals will need to pick themselves up against the Eagles (8-5), a team that went 10-6 in the MAC last season. The Eagles have won two of their last three games, including a 66-55 victory over Saint Louis on Dec. 29 in the Holiday Hoops Tournament and a 65-43 home triumph over Wyoming on Monday.
Ball State hasn't earned a victory since defeating Austin Peay on Dec. 11, and has dropped three straight and five of its last seven. Despite its current misfortunes, Packard is anxiously awaiting the start of MAC play.
"Everything escalates," she said. "Is winning more important in the conference than the non-conference? It is. By the time we take the court [tonight], the result is immediately going to reflect in the standings. Everything is going to be more urgent. I will be less tolerant."
Eastern Michigan presents a high-octane caliber offense, centered around senior guard Tavelyn James, who averages 22.5 points per game for the Eagles.
Packard labeled James as a "prolific scorer," and said she is able to score in bunches.
"Being able to contain somebody who is a true scorer, not just a shooter, [is something] we've talked a lot about," Packard said. "No topic has been hit on harder than [the Eagles] being able to rebound with the entire roster, particularly [Olivia] Fouty and [Paige] Redditt."
In Packard's eyes, the Cardinals must mature both physically and emotionally in order to be successful. Tonight's game will be a big measuring stick for the home team.
"During games when you have a couple of plays that don't go your way, I have to verbally let them know that we can't stay down, disappointed, discouraged," Packard said. "The quicker we can rebound, the better it will be for us and we'll be able to get into some games when we're ahead and hang on."
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