Outside of cancellations due to the Coronavirus outbreak in March, both of Ball State's men's and women's programs has been extremely busy in welcoming players into the program, scouting players and seeing players depart from Muncie.
Coming off a career-high season, junior guard Ishmael El-Amin announced on Twitter Tuesday afternoon that he would be "opening his recruitment to find his future home".
Freshman guard Lucas Kroft announced via Twitter that he is planning to "transfer and pursue another opportunity elsewhere" on Monday. The freshman played 14 games with Ball State, recording 16 points, 11 rebounds and three assists in 122 minutes of playing time.
On March 12, the Mid-American Conference made the announcement it would be canceling regular season, championship and non-traditional competition for the rest of the 2019-20 academic school year in concern with the coronavirus (COVID-19). Here is how Ball State athletes and coaches reacted to the announcement.
Mid-American Conference commissioner Jon Steinbrecher announced at a press conference at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on March. 12 that the 2020 MAC Basketball Tournament has been canceled over concerns of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
While the arena was empty and the Cardinals lost their quarterfinal game of the Mid-American Conference to Eastern Michigan 64-63, the season as a whole isn’t empty, as there is still hope for more tournament basketball this season.
With the first round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament in the books, the brackets for both the men's and women's tournaments have been set. In the women's bracket, No. 2 Ball State Women's Basketball will face No. 7 Eastern Michigan. In the men's bracket, No. 3 Ball State Men's Basketball will face No. 6 Kent State.
Win or lose, the Cardinals had already punched their ticket to Cleveland for next week’s Mid-American Conference tournament. The game for Western Michigan (17-12, 10-8 MAC), on the other hand, decided if it would be playing Monday. It took an extra five minutes for Ball State to take down the Broncos 64-63.
After a injury in the first half caused redshirt freshman guard Kani Acree to leave the game, his heart and drive to win would see him return to the game, helping Ball State Men's Basketball clinch a BYE in the upcoming Mid-American Conference Tournament.
Coming off a 17-point victory on Senior Night Tuesday, a strong veteran presence was key for Ball State Men’s Basketball Friday at the Convocation Center in DeKalb, Illinois. Led by 33 points from their three senior players, the Cardinals defeated Northern Illinois in its regular season finale 75-54.
In its first game of March, Ball State Women's Basketball got a sour taste of "March basketball" as Northern Illinois routed the Cardinals 70-62.
With emotions running high as the Ball State honored its seniors, the Cardinals held a Chippewas team, that was averaging nearly 80 points per game, to less than 70 points in an 85-68 win.
“I don’t think we can get any more confident,” Head coach Brady Sallee said after Ball State Women’s Basketball knocked off the top-ranked team in the Mid-American Conference Central Michigan 67-62.
Playing a conference season-low 18 minutes and recording seven points, Teague's absence was felt on the court as Ball State Men's Basketball fell to Toledo 69-63.
The Cardinals decided this year their identity is being the winning team — no matter who scores on a regular basis or how the work gets done, as long as they come out on top.
Throughout the 2019-20 campaign of the Ball State Women’s Basketball team, the Cardinals have keyed in on their physicality and toughness, which has led to them being a top defensive team in the Mid-American Conference and nearing the 20-win mark, as they currently sit at 19-8, 11-4 MAC.
One constant that has been surrounding the Cardinals this season is playing from start to finish. Playing in close games has been consistent throughout the entire season. Wednesday’s conference tilt against Toledo (11-15, 6-9 MAC) proved to be no different. Ball State Women’s Basketball (19-8, 11-4 MAC) defeated the Rockets 66-60 in a physical game from start to finish.
In a 71-61 win over Western Michigan on Tuesday, the Cardinals held the lead for 98 percent of the game and limited Michael Flowers, one of the top scorers in the Mid-American Conference, to just two points. The key to Ball State's success, a complete defensive presence.
With a first-round bye in the Mid-American Conference up for grabs and just three games left, Ball State Men’s Basketball (16-12, 9-6 MAC) needed a win. The Cardinals took down Western Michigan (11-17, 4-11) 71-61 to stay in a tie with Buffalo as the fourth seed.
When the Cardinals needed a spark in their 61-55 win over Eastern Michigan, freshman guard Luke Bumbalough and redshirt freshman guard Jarron Coleman answered.
