This is really the only west game that I have concerns about.  win this my hopes for sweeping the west will look a little brighter.

You can't be serious.  After last night's game, you really believe this?!

Hold on.  Not worthy of division one sports?  Ever seen the average crowds at half of our conference?

The only game I'm not overly concerned about is Northern Illinois, and even then, I don't think it's unfathomable that they could beat us. Road trips can be tough. I hope we make it tough on Ball State. The Cardinals are 5-4 on the road this year, which is pretty good, but their overall strength of schedule is one of the worst in the nation. Central Michigan (RPI mid 200s) is the best team they've beat on the road. Only home wins better than that are against Butler (outside top 100) and Western Michigan. They really haven't risen to the challenge against the few better foes they've played.

Ball State has the top scoring defense in the MAC and have allowed opponents to shoot just 38 percent. Those numbers are not as good in MAC play (which actually is an upgrade to the schedule they played non-conference). The Cardinals have rebounded at a pretty average rate. Jarrod Jones averages twice as many points as any one else on the team. He's led them in scoring in all but four games. Point guard Randy Davis is a good distrubutor, tops in the MAC right now. Davis, Jesse Berry, Jauwan Scaife and Tyler Koch shoot a lot of 3s (all of them are at about 60 percent or higher of their shots from 3) but only make at around 30 percent with Koch at the highest at 34.7 percent.

I really think Ball State is a team that Ohio can defend well. If the Bobcats can get the offense going, they might be able to pull away.

Yes.  And they aren't worthy either.  Look, a lot of teams play div. I and do so with dinky facilities and no fans.  So, maybe I should've said not worthy of upper mid-major-ness or something.  Regardless, the Kent and WMU Convo attendance was pretty pathetic.



While I like leading the MAC in attendance, its really not much to crow about is it?

And, the 11:00AM start will continue our 15% capacity crowds this weekend.  I expect an almost vacant Ozone.



Anyway, getting back to the game itself, I'll be surprised if we win.  Honestly.  We just are in a serious funk.  Ball State can take us for sure. 

Did not get much run. Kind of a thug the way he plays sometimes. I like toughness but just being mean does not make you tough.  He got a couple of rebounds but did not seem to have much presence.

I think they are going to come in focused and ready to play. THey have felt the meat grinder of the east the last few years. I read a recent quote from Davis about the east that suggested if you come in as a number one onthe west and do not play well you can be at the other end of the tables in a week.... lets hope so.

We owe these guys one from the tournament last season. Up nine with 2:42 to go and we can't finish. Then we lose in OT.

Just a little....  (but the crowds were dissapointing.) 

I see I've made my annual move from "I don't think we're that good" to "You guys are being way too negative." Ball State isn't very good and we should win this game without much trouble if we shoot even decently.

I'm hoping the officials will decide to let Walt play this game.

 A great time for dad and son on the couch with a couple of bowls of ice cream watching the BOBCATS.  But then again it is hard to watch the Bobcats without occasionally having to yell at the TV.  Best not to risk your son aping dad the day after the tonsillectomy.  Hope recovery all goes well. 

Heaven forbid you should ever agree with the rest of humanity