Of all the words sputtered by Ball State coach Billy Taylor during the 10-plus minutes of his weekly press conference Monday, none were more important than effort and energy.
The first four seeds in the MAC Tournament earn the important first-round bye. The first two seeds go to the West and East Division champions and the next two seeds are the next best conference teams based on MAC records. Seeds five through 12 must play a first-round MAC Tournament game at campus sites before advancing to quarterfinal play in Cleveland against seeds one through four.
The 45-42 Toledo win gave the Rockets their first MAC win of the season in 15 tries and snapped their 19-game losing streak as Ball State enters its regular season finale Thursday at Western Michigan needing a win.
Nationally, Toledo ranks No. 345 out of 347 Division I teams in scoring average (54.4), No. 341 in scoring margin (-13.3 points per game), No. 344 in steals per game (4.2) and No. 332 in blocks per game (1.8).
The Cardinals travel to the lowly University of Toledo — winless in MAC play at 0-14 — Saturday and then travel to Western Michigan in what could be a critical MAC West showdown to end the regular season March 4.
Ball State could have wrapped up the No. 2 seed and the first round bye that comes with it Wednesday night, as they got help from Northern Illinois University. It defeated Central Michigan University 67-65 on a last second shot, essentially dropping the Chippewas from the race.
Tonight, Brawley Chisholm and Terrence Watson will be honored on Senior Night before they play their final regular season home game as Ball State plays host to Eastern Michigan at 7 p.m.
Ball State returns to MAC play Wednesday as it plays host to Eastern Michigan University in its final home game of the regular season. The Cardinals look to avenge a 57-53 loss to the Eagles in Ypsilanti, Mich., on Jan. 23.
Ball State fans looking for a reason to attend the game might be interested in the halftime activities. The 1989-1990 Ball State team will be recognized for its 20th anniversary of reaching the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament, followed by a performance by the Indy Bears Jump Rope squad.
The victory effectively gives Ball State a two-game lead in the MAC West with three conference games to play.
The Cardinals took full advantage of the whistle-happy officials against his Chippewas. Ball State hit 24-of-31 free throws, led by freshman guard Jauwan Scaife, who hit 12-of-14 free throws to outshoot Central Michigan at the charity stripe (9-of-13).
The Ball State University men's basketball team defeated visiting Central Michigan University 69-63 Wednesday night at Worthen Arena to take a two-game lead in the Mid American Conference West Division with just three MAC games left to play. Check out the images from the game.
Get to know Central Michigan before you head to the Nest tonight.
Find out who has the edge in tonight's MAC West showdown at Worthen Arena between division leaders Ball State and Central Michigan.
Ball State (13-11, 7-5) is tied with Central Michigan University (12-12, 7-5) after each team scored victories this weekend.
The Cardinals will host the Chippewas on Wednesday night in Worthen Arena in a game that will determine who has the upper hand in the division.
Randy Davis didn't just knock down "some shots." He knocked down big shots down the stretch to help give Ball State (13-11, 7-5 MAC) three road wins in the MAC for the first time since the 2004-05 season.
After a 4-2 tour of the MAC East Division, Ball State (12-11, 6-5 MAC) continues play against the MAC West Division today as it travels to Northern Illinois University (8-15, 4-7 MAC), losers of seven straight since beginning MAC play 4-0.
Despite the worst loss in the Billy Taylor era, Ball State (12-11, 6-5 MAC) ended with a successful tour against the MAC East Division, going 4-2 against its cross-divisional opponents. It is just its third winning season against the East since divisional play began in the 1997-98 season.
With experience, a balanced offensive attack featuring four of the top-20 scorers in the MAC and size and strength in both the frontcourt and the backcourt, Ball State coach Billy Taylor sees in Kent State the blueprint with which he hopes Ball State will grace the Worthen Arena court in the next couple seasons.
