TEAM: Ball State Cardinals
2023-24 RECORD: 15-15, 7-11 MAC
HEAD COACH: Michael Lewis
PRESEASON MAC COACHES POLL: 7th of 12 teams
2023-24 RECORD: 15-15, 7-11 MAC
HEAD COACH: Michael Lewis
PRESEASON MAC COACHES POLL: 7th of 12 teams
OVERVIEW:
>> The Cardinals soared in Michael Lewis' first year at the helm, finishing 20-12. It was BSU's first 20-win season in six year.
Last year, however, Ball State dipped to 15-16 overall and 7-11 in Mid-American Conference play.
>> A key cog in last year's team was 6-9 forward Basheer Jihad, who averaged 18.6 ppg for the Cardinals. He is now at Arizona State, where is has averaged 13.3 ppg.
>> While Jihad is gone, former Cardinal standout Payton Sparks has . . .
>> The Cardinals soared in Michael Lewis' first year at the helm, finishing 20-12. It was BSU's first 20-win season in six year.
Last year, however, Ball State dipped to 15-16 overall and 7-11 in Mid-American Conference play.
>> A key cog in last year's team was 6-9 forward Basheer Jihad, who averaged 18.6 ppg for the Cardinals. He is now at Arizona State, where is has averaged 13.3 ppg.
>> While Jihad is gone, former Cardinal standout Payton Sparks has . . .
. . . returned after spending a year at Indiana. He averaged 2.1 ppg and 7.3 minutes per contest while in a Hoosiers uniform, but the 6-10 center averaged 12.3 ppg and earned All-MAC Second Team honors in 2022-23 as a sophomore. Sparks, who was a preseason All-MAC pick, has averaged 10.4 ppg (5.5 rpg) so far this season.
>> Junior guard Jermari Hill, a former JUCO player, leads BSU scorers this year with a 16.5 ppg average and is also contributing 5.2 rebounds per outing. Hill ranks third among all MAC scorers after 12 games.
Junior Juanse Gorosito, formerly with Portland, is averaging 10.6 ppg., while 6-8 forward Mickey Pearson Jr. is averaging 10.2 ppg and 5.9 rpg in his senior season with BSU.
>> Ball State ranks sixth among MAC teams in scoring (75.5 ppg) and is second in scoring defense (70.5 ppg). That leaves BSU with a 5.0 scoring margin (4th MAC).
>> The Cardinals have connected on 44.5 percent from the field (7th MAC) and are hitting 33.1 percent on threes (6th MAC).
>> Ball State is fifth in rebounding (36.3 rpg) and ninth in turnover margin (0.00).
>> The Cardinals ranked second among MAC teams in home attendance (3,533 per game). Only Toledo (3,963) ranked higher.
>> Junior guard Jermari Hill, a former JUCO player, leads BSU scorers this year with a 16.5 ppg average and is also contributing 5.2 rebounds per outing. Hill ranks third among all MAC scorers after 12 games.
Junior Juanse Gorosito, formerly with Portland, is averaging 10.6 ppg., while 6-8 forward Mickey Pearson Jr. is averaging 10.2 ppg and 5.9 rpg in his senior season with BSU.
>> Ball State ranks sixth among MAC teams in scoring (75.5 ppg) and is second in scoring defense (70.5 ppg). That leaves BSU with a 5.0 scoring margin (4th MAC).
>> The Cardinals have connected on 44.5 percent from the field (7th MAC) and are hitting 33.1 percent on threes (6th MAC).
>> Ball State is fifth in rebounding (36.3 rpg) and ninth in turnover margin (0.00).
>> The Cardinals ranked second among MAC teams in home attendance (3,533 per game). Only Toledo (3,963) ranked higher.
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