MUNCIE, Ind. (NewsLink) - Tomorrow evening tips off day one of the 99th season of Ball State Men’s Basketball. They will be taking on the Division III Defiance Yellow Jackets.
The preseason polls had Ball State projected to finish third in the MAC West.
This is the seventh season the Cardinals have been under the direction of Coach James Whitford, and are eyeing what many believe could be a promising season, as they try to fill the shoes of graduated seniors Tayler Persons and Trey Moses.
Persons and Moses are now playing professionally overseas.
Three starters and eight letter-winners are returning to action this year for Ball State. Unlike years past, Ball State will not be partaking in a scrimmage game, rather, taking place in closed scrimmages.
The Cardinals are bringing back a significant amount of their offense from last year.
One returning player is senior Tahjai Teague, who was named to the pre-season All-MAC West team. He is the leading scorer and the leader on the glass, averaging 13.5 points per game and swiping 7.5 rebounds per contest. Teague also hit the 1,000 career points mark last year.
Every four years, the NCAA allows collegiate programs to travel abroad for competition. This year was the first year Ball State has had that eligibility since their last trip, and Whitford said, “We like to go whenever we can.”
heir last trip, they traveled to Costa Rica, where they played, and won, three games, including one against a premiere Canadian team at The University of Ottawa.
Tomorrow will also be the debut for a few new faces on the team. Three true freshmen are hitting the floor for Ball State. Luke Bumbalough, Lucas Kroft and Ben Henriks will join Miryne Thomas, who transferred from Maryland, along with Jarron Coleman and Kani Acree.
Tipoff tomorrow is at 7:00 P.M. at Worthen Arena, as the Cardinals look to start off their season on the right foot.
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