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(10/31/24 10:00am)
Coming off a 15-16 overall record and a 7-11 record in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), Ball State men’s basketball is looking for better results in the 2024-25 season. Ranked as the No. 7 MAC team in the preseason rankings, they have their eyes set on competing in the conference tournament at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio. Though six Cardinals are returning from last year, new names will wear a Ball State uniform this season as four transfers and three freshmen have made their way to Muncie. Throw in former Cardinal and MAC Freshman Player of the Year Payton Sparks who returned after one season at Indiana University, the roster looks vastly different from 10 months ago. The new Ball State squad only has one goal: do whatever it takes to win. “We're going to have a good basketball team,” Lewis said. “I [talked about] the pieces, but can we get them to fit together? That's my job, and their job is to make a few individual sacrifices in order to do so.” ‘I think you got to adapt to every day’Although Lewis has been critical of it at times, he knows the landscape of college sports is rapidly changing — and he must too.“I think you got to adapt to every day,” Lewis said. “I think college athletics is changing daily. There's been some conferences out west that have gained and lost institutions each day.”With UMass joining the MAC in less than 12 months, the former Indiana guard and third-year Cardinals’ coach believes the conference has to embrace the change and find where each program can improve. “Not only as a coach, but I think your institution, your athletic department, you have to have some very forward-thinking ideas,” he said. “You can't sit back and be like, ‘Hey, it's going to be interesting to see how this plays out’. I think we all know what kind of direction it’s going and how it may play out. “What are we doing to stay out in front of it? What are we doing across the country at each institution, to continue to develop resources to continue to try to be as competitive as you possibly can?”But while he’s looked across college basketball to find ideas for improvement, Lewis thinks the competitive angle begins inside a program and depends on the players.Throughout last season, the Cardinals struggled in multiple areas. Injuries, on-court mistakes and even distractions like former Cardinal Jarron “Boogie” Coleman leaving late in the off-season led to poor results. The latter is something Lewis wants to correct, even if the issues were ‘outside of his control.’ “I did not handle those [moments] particularly well,” Lewis said. “When your leading scorer walks out the door and transfers to Nebraska in August, I knew we weren't who we needed to be to be competitive. I probably allowed some of that frustration and then some other things that took place, which just should never take place, I allowed some of that frustration to boil over.”‘I know how we run this program’Seven Cardinals players will return to the team in the upcoming campaign, garnering them a lot of experience and knowledge of what Lewis wants the team to be this coming season. That vision is to allow his older players to take charge of the team.Having as many returners as the Cardinals do, there are multiple players to lean on to step into that role. Redshirt senior Mickey Pearson Jr, sophomore Mason Jones and Sparks are a few of the key pieces returning for Ball State. “I know what to expect with college basketball,” Pearson Jr said. “ I know what to expect from coach Lewis, so it’s just about trying to get guys in the right places, talking to them and being more vocal than I’ve been.”Jones, while only being a sophomore, is taking the challenge of becoming a mentor to heart while also knowing there’s still much for him to learn.“I learned a lot from [my first] season,” Jones said. “I’ve continued to try to learn from them as well and kept being a sponge. But I feel like I have a leadership role as well along with the other guys. I know how we run this program, and what’s expected of us.”Last season the Cardinals were missing a big piece in their backcourt in graduate student Ethan Britain-Watts. A season-ending leg injury forced the Indianapolis native to use a medical redshirt after his surgery.“It feels very good to be back,” Britain-Watts said. “I just want to get better and do what I can to contribute to on-the-court things right now.”Britain-Watts wasn’t the only Cardinal to suffer injuries last season with redshirt senior Ben Hendriks battling through a multitude of them last year. Watching Hendriks fight through injuries and continuing to produce for Ball State has been a motivation for Britain-Watts coming into this year.With the backcourt regaining crucial players the Cardinals' frontcourt has gained some additions of its own. Seniors Hendriks, Sparks, and sophomore Zane Doughty will be a focal point on the court this season. Each individual is coming back from different backgrounds with Doughty finishing his freshman season, Sparks transferring back home, and Hendriks having battled injuries all through last season.The addition of Sparks this season has come with an ‘iron sharpens iron’ mentality. For Doughty and Hendriks, going against him daily in practice presents challenges.“I’ve had to get tougher down [in the paint],” Hendriks said. “Playing the best in the league, that’s going to help you out. That way I get better, and naturally, he’ll get better as well.”Sparks’ return to the Cardinals was a decision made to come back home to what he knew best.“I wanted to finish my career off the right way,” Sparks said. “Coming back to a familiar place, having fun my senior year, playing with good guys and coach Lewis again and where my family can come to all my games too. It’s just a really good feeling.”Lewis loves the experience on the Cardinals roster but also knows that it can take time for that leadership to be fully embraced.
(10/31/24 11:00am)
There is an elephant in the room for the Ball State women’s basketball program. Head coach Brady Sallee knows it’s the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championship. Alongside Sallee, the Cardinals have one end goal: win the MAC Championship and play in the NCAA Women’s Division 1 Basketball Tournament. Sallee said he believes the 2024-25 squad could be the most physical team he has coached and feels comfortable with their ability to be physical. “We lost a lot, but we gained a lot too,” senior Ally Becki said. “It’s been good. We’ve been competing a lot, and it is bringing out more competitiveness.” New FacesBall State lost multiple players to the transfer portal, but its biggest loss was Nyla Hampton, the 2024 MAC Defensive Player of the Year. Although the Cardinals lost key players, Ball State added four transfers. When Sallee evaluated his team's two major losses of the past season — Toledo and Kent State — the Cardinals got beat in the paint. So, Sallee said he tried to gain size in the transfer portal by picking up centers Maliyah “MJ” Johnson from Texas A&M and Tessa Towers from Wisconsin. The Cardinals also picked up a forward in Elise Stuck from the University of Michigan.“Their size jumps off the paper,” Sallee said. “That has been just what the doctor has ordered.”Sallee said he quickly figured out just how versatile the transfers really are and said that it brings a spark. Senior Marie Kiefer said the added size brings a better presence by making it easier to rebound, box out and work together as a unit in the paint. She said the offense has changed slightly with the added size but is still quick in transitions and can get the ball moving. The final transfer, Lachelle Austin, a 5-foot-7-inch senior who transferred from MAC foe Eastern Michigan, comes to Muncie familiar with Sallee's program.“Every time [Eastern Michigan] played [Ball State], it was a hassle. We were fighting for our lives, so I knew I wanted to be a part of something where I can grow and also win games,” Austin said.It is no secret the Cardinals had an explosive offense last season; the offense was ranked No. 38 in the NCAA with points per game (73.1). One of the things that excited Sallee most in the preseason was transfers being able to play in the Ball State system and running a similar offense to last year. “It is a very hard offense to guard,” Johnson said. “… With the way the game has changed overall, it prepares us not only just now, but if we want to play pro basketball.”
(10/31/24 12:13am)
Tonight: Expect warm conditions this Halloween-Eve with temperatures in the upper/mid 60s. Clouds will increase through the evening with a southern wind increasing speed overnight; gusting up to 29 mph. Secure any Halloween decorations!
(10/30/24 6:52pm)
Tonight: Partly cloudy skies and a low of 66 degrees with southerly winds at 15 mph and gusts of 30 mph.
(10/30/24 3:28pm)
When it comes to basketball, we assume the rules are straightforward across all levels. After all, whether it's a pick-up game or the NBA, the core principles seem similar. However, college basketball introduces some unique elements that can catch fans off guard—especially when it comes to the way the game is divided. If you've watched NCAA basketball and wondered, "Does college basketball have quarters?" you're not alone.
(10/30/24 2:58pm)
Sports broadcasting has come a long way, evolving from radio commentaries to live television broadcasts and now to the digital age of streaming. With info and updates about any sport you can name just a click away, fans no longer have to wait for scheduled TV broadcasts. This transformation is not just about the ease of access but also about how the entire experience of watching sports has been revolutionized. From social media interactions to on-demand content, the landscape of sports broadcasting is more vibrant and engaging than ever before. But what exactly has changed, and how does it affect fans and sports enthusiasts alike?
(10/30/24 2:21pm)
At Apocalypse Fest, the ordinary fades away, and the extraordinary reigns supreme. As you gear up for this immersive and breathtaking festival experience, it's crucial to pay attention to your festival attire. After all, it’s not just about what you wear — it's about embodying a spirit that makes you stand out in the chaos.
(10/30/24 1:40am)
MUNCIE, IND. — Young students from all different types of backgrounds gather in the West Quad at Ball State University to collectively host an event called Pumpkins and Pastries held by the Graduate Student Wellness Initiative.
(10/30/24 1:00pm)
Evidence does not point to ground beef as the probable source of an E. coli outbreak linked with McDonald’s quarter pounders, according to the USDA.
(10/30/24 12:00pm)
More than 600,000 people in the U.S. will have a stroke for the first time this year in a new statistic, according to the CDC.
(10/29/24 11:25pm)
Tonight: Unseasonably warm temperatures are expected tonight. Lows will drop into the the low-60s with windy conditions of 15 mph containing gusts up to 30 mph. There will be moderate cloud cover but not enough to obstruct the night sky.
(10/29/24 10:03pm)
Delta senior football player Bronson Edwards was voted the Delaware County Athlete of the Week for the week of Monday, Oct. 21 to Saturday, Oct. 26. In the Eagles' 54-14 win over Heritage in the sectional opener, Edwards went 11-for-14 for 200 passing yards, had two touchdown passes and two rushing touchdowns.
(10/30/24 4:00pm)
Kiael Kelly emerged from Ball State’s locker room with a bright, white smile. Just about 15 minutes earlier, the Cardinals defeated Northern Illinois on a last-second, 52-yard field goal to retain the Bronze Stalk trophy.
(10/29/24 1:00pm)
MUNCIE, Ind. — Throughout the 2024 season, the Ball State Cardinals have played their fair share of close football games.
(10/29/24 1:48am)
Muncie, Ind. — College can be a rough time for many people just graduating high school. With moving to a bigger school, parting ways with longtime friends and living away from home the stress can really get to students. Joining a club or organization is one of the easiest ways to settle into the college experience, and with the offer of free food, the midnight pancakes event is a great way to meet people.
(10/29/24 3:00am)
MUNCIE, Ind. — In an age where fast fashion is common and name-brand price tags are on the rise, people often feel stuck when buying clothes.
(10/28/24 11:26pm)
Tonight: Temperatures will dip below 60 in some areas, with an increase in winds out of the south. Initially light, these winds will gust up to 25 miles an hour further into the night.
(10/29/24 12:00pm)
MUNCIE, Ind. — The Clay Guild is a club at Ball State University that provides you with the mugs you need to hold your cup of joe.
(10/28/24 6:50pm)
Tonight: Skies will be partly cloudy with temperatures in the low 60s to upper 50s. Winds will be breezy with gusts up to 25 mph.
(10/28/24 6:05pm)
The Ball State Daily News will use this program to honor athletes who had an impressive week or a breakout performance. Candidates will be chosen and the community can cast their votes.Candidates will be announced every Monday with the voting closing on the following Tuesday at 5 p.m. The winner will be announced that evening. If you believe a certain student-athlete should be a candidate, email the Daily News sports editor Zach Carter at zachary.carter@bsu.edu or associate sports editor David Moore at david.moore@bsu.edu.The Ball State Daily News is partnered with the Muncie Sports Commission for this program. This will help determine nominees for the end of the year award show next spring. Here are the Delaware County Athlete of the Week nominees from Monday, Oct. 21 to Saturday, Oct. 26. Delta senior football player Bronson Edwards: In the Eagles' 54-14 win over Heritage in the sectional opener, Edwards went 11-for-14 for 200 passing yards and one touchdown pass.
