By Conor Hockett
Depth has arguably been Ball State’s biggest strength in its first two games, particularly coach Billy Taylor’s ability to rotate four big bodies inside to knock around an opposing frontcourt.
While Wofford’s interior players did have some success in Sunday’s game, the Terriers were relatively undersized compared to the Cardinals’ lineups.
When Ball State (2-0) hosts Indiana State (2-1) today, however, the Cardinals face the first opponent that can match up physically in the paint.
“Indiana State has some great size inside with [Jake] Kitchell and [Justin] Gant,” Taylor said. “Gant’s a terrific interior player. He scores the ball well in the low post and can knock down the midrange jump shot. He’s a very skilled basketball player that can play the four and the five with some size. He’s a big, strong, physical kid. Their front line is very good.”
The 6-foot-8-inch Gant is second on the team in scoring (11.3 points per game) and leads the team in rebounding at six boards per game. Along with the sophomore center, Taylor said Indiana State likes to run a three-man rotation of bigs with the 6-foot-10-inch Kitchell and junior forward R.J. Mahurin coming off the bench.
While the Sycamores’ size might be the biggest obstacle for the Cardinals, Taylor said Indiana State’s 57-50 win over Ball State last season stemmed from a 19-point first half plagued by quick shots and bad offense.
It was those same type of quick trigger 3-pointers that worried Taylor in Friday’s game against Wofford. He said if Ball State wastes too many shots early in the clock today, Indiana State will turn those wasted possessions into points fast.
“I think they’re very effective in the open court from what I’ve seen so far,” Taylor said. “They really pride themselves on their defense — being able to play tough, physical half-court defense. They try and get out in transition because they have some athletes that can really fly.”
For the past two seasons, Jake Odum has fed those athletes on the break with his crafty play as point guard.
A three-year starter, Odum led Indiana State to an NCAA Tournament appearance as a freshman in the 2010-11 season.
“Odum is such a dynamic player,” Taylor said. “He can do so much on the floor and really create havoc with his offense and his ability to penetrate. You have to try and give him different looks. I don’t think there’s a steady diet of things you can do to be successful against a player like that.”
While junior forward Chris Bond likely will draw the assignment, Taylor said guarding the Sycamores’ leading scorer (12.7) and assist man (4.3 assists per game) isn’t a one-person job.
So often dominated by the departed Jarrod Jones over the past four seasons, Ball State’s scoring load is more than a one-person job.
Seven different players average six points per game or more for the Cardinals, but junior college transfer Majok Majok has arguably been the most impressive. Taylor said his ability to draw double teams and score in the post makes him have a Jones-like effect on the floor.
“Majok has been very good for us in the half-court offense because he gives us a post presence,” Taylor said. “We can mix it up so we’re not just looking for perimeter guys on catch-and-shoot opportunities — we can dump it down low. Majok has been very efficient as an offensive player.”
While today’s game will be Majok’s first against Indiana State, Taylor said some other players will reunite with old teammates.
It’s a game against an in-state opponent, with an added bonus to beat some old friends.
“I think it’s a rivalry because we play every year with the proximity,” Taylor said. “Just the familiarity our guys have with their guys — whether they play in AAU together or against each other — [it’s] just us having a lot of guys from Indiana and the same with them. It just makes it a game our guys look forward to and I’m sure they do as well.”
