Derran Cobb

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Articles

NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

COBB: Two steps forward, one step backward

By Derran Cobb / April 8, 2023

One might think that these accomplishments would be the main story to come out of this game, but you would be wrong...in the closing minutes of the game, LSU, fans and even Iowa knew the game was over. This prompted Reese to taunt Clark, using the "you can't see me" gesture, popularized by WWE wrestler John Cena. Next, she pointed at her hand signaling she was ready for the ring. 

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MEN'S BASKETBALL

COBB: Reflecting on the 2022-23 Men’s Basketball season

By Derran Cobb / March 14, 2023

In March 2022, the Cardinals were defeated in the MAC tournament, and a few weeks later, head coach Michael Lewis was hired after previous head coach James Whitford was fired. Lewis was able to return four players, who all made a significant impact on the team's success. Three of them were from the NCAA’s transfer portal, all sophomores: All-MAC Second Team member Payton Sparks (13.3 ppg, 8.7 rebs), All-MAC Third Team member Jaylin Sellers (13.7 ppg, 45 percent 3PT), and Basheer Jihad (7.1 ppg, 3.6 rebs). 

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TRAVEL/MAC TOURNAMENT

Daily News Sports: Our experience covering the MAC Tournament in Cleveland

By Kyle Smedley , Jacy Bradley , Derran Cobb , Amber Pietz , Elijah Poe , Zach Carter and Brayden Goins / March 12, 2023

March 7-11, seven members of Daily News Sports traveled to Cleveland to cover Ball State Men's and Women's Basketball in the MAC Tournament. After their trip, the seven wanted to take time to reflect on their opportunity to not only cover these games and more, but also their experience traveling together.

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BASKETBALL

Ball State Men's Basketball's first 20-win season in 6 years ends with first round MAC Tournament loss to Ohio

By Derran Cobb / March 9, 2023

After its first 20 win season in six years, the Ball State Cardinals (20-12) came into the Mid-American Conference (MAC) tournament as the No. 4 seed, and fell to the No. 5 seed Ohio Bobcats (19-13) 90-70. Head coach Michael Lewis was adamant that this one game cannot take away all the accomplishments and success they have brought on throughout the season.

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BASKETBALL

Ball State was a contender in a shortened 2020 postseason due to COVID-19, now the Cardinals are back and looking to make noise

By Derran Cobb / March 8, 2023

In 2020 for Ball State, a potential eighth Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championship was taken away. In 2023, the Cardinals first game of the MAC Tournament is set to tip-off March 9 around 1:30 p.m, taking on Ohio in the first round. 

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MEN'S BASKETBALL

Ball State is contender for an eighth MAC championship under first-year head coach Michael Lewis

By Derran Cobb / March 2, 2023

This season, the Cardinals won their 20th game Feb. 21 in a highly anticipated matchup with Kent State, who was first in the conference at the time. It is the first 20-win season in the last six. With victories over Toledo and Akron, who currently sit first and third in MAC standings respectively, Lewis’ squad is looking to make waves in the conference tournament.

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MEN'S BASKETBALL

Cardinals succumb to late run, fall to Akron on the road

By Derran Cobb / February 28, 2023

In a thriller between two of the top Mid-American Conference (MAC) basketball teams, Ball State (20-10, 11-6 MAC) fell short at Akron (21-9, 13-4 MAC).  

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MEN'S BASKETBALL

Cardinals fall to Eastern Michigan, lose second straight road game

By Derran Cobb / February 25, 2023

Following what was arguably its biggest game of the season on Tuesday, Ball State (20-9, 11-5 MAC) traveled to Ypsilanti, Michigan to take on Eastern Michigan (8-21, 5-11 MAC). After taking a ten-point lead going into halftime, the Cardinals looked to be in control and poised to finish the game on top. It was in the second half when everything began to collapse. 

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MEN'S BASKETBALL

Ball State tops conference leader at home, wins 82-70

By Derran Cobb / February 22, 2023

Jarron Coleman with the rebound. He swings it to Jaylin Sellers up the court. Sellers pulls up for a 3-pointer… it’s good. The packed Worthen Arena roars with cheers as Kent State calls timeout. That moment was likely the most pivotal moment of the game for the Cardinals (20-8, 11-4 MAC), as they mounted a 16-5 run to start the second half to propel themselves to victory over the Kent State Golden Flashes (22-6, 12-3 MAC). 

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Field General: A history of Black quarterbacks

By Derran Cobb / February 19, 2023

The NFL, founded in 1920, has a history of racism, whether blatant or subtle. Perhaps the most prevalent case has involved Black quarterbacks and the question of whether a Black man was capable of playing the position. Black quarterbacks have faced racism in the form of stereotypes such as the perception that they lack intelligence, dependability, composure, character or charisma and are unable to be “counted on” to lead their team. The reason this year's Super Bowl was such a big deal is that ever since the NFL began, Black quarterbacks have been disrespected and told they needed to stop playing the position they worked so hard for their entire athletic life because they couldn’t succeed.