Ball State is having a difficult time finding ways to prepare for its next two opponents.
The 4-17 Cardinals have not had a height disparity since facing Utah in November, which can cause challenges for Ball State’s offense. Now, two of the top 50 defensive teams in the country travel to Worthen Arena in Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green.
“They’re two unique teams,” Ball State head coach James Whitford said. “They both have great size.”
Eastern Michigan is known for its gritty zone defense, which ranks 34th in the nation in defensive efficiency. The Eagles hold opposing teams to 37.1 percent in field goal percentage.
It also is a team that has a size advantage over Ball State — just one Eagle is listed shorter than 6 feet. The Eagles have 12 players listed at 6-feet-3 or taller, forcing mismatches from the top of the key to the bottom.
Whitford said Eastern Michigan utilizes its size to take advantage of smaller opponents.
“You can’t mimic their length,” Whitford said.
One name that the Cardinals will hear a lot Wednesday is 6-foot-8 forward Glenn Bryant. Bryant scores 10.5 points per game and averages 5.5 rebounds a game for his team.
“I recruited him in high school,” Whitford said. “He’s so bouncy, he’s long and bouncy — he’s a real gift for [Eastern Michigan].”
Whitford made it clear that Bryant doesn’t play the center position in Eastern Michigan’s zone defense, but one of the wing positions.
“You’re looking for a shot on the wing, the guy closing out on you is 6’8” with probably a 7-foot wingspan.” Whitford said.
In a typical zone defense, teams align in a 2-3 formation where the two guards or the quickest players on the floor guard the area between the free-throw line and the three-point line. The wing positions that Whitford mentioned are responsible for the corners and the low post, depending on where the ball is.
The Cardinals had to make adjustments to its roster due to the right hip injury of senior Tyler Koch. Freshman guard Quinten Payne has progressed due to Koch’s injury.
When starting freshman forward Franko House is not in the game, senior Chris Bond plays the backup power forward position to give Payne a shot at minutes in the empty small forward position.
“He’s had two good games in a row,” Whitford said. “He’s moving in the right direction.”
The Mid-American Conference schedule has not been kind to the Cardinals as the team sits at 1-9. Ball State has eight games left on its regular season schedule and plays four games at home. The Cardinals play the Eagles on Wednesday with a 7 p.m. tip.
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