After opening the 2007-2008 season with a game against Butler University, who is just outside of the national rankings, things ease up for Ball State University tonight as they face a lesser-ranked team.
The Cardinals will play host to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers at 7 p.m.
Although the Panthers were 9-22 last season, an identical record to Ball State's, Cardinals' coach Billy Taylor said unlike his own team, Wisconsin-Milwaukee is an experienced unit with some returning talent.
"We have a tough challenge," Taylor said. "They are a very talented team who returns 80 percent of their scoring from last year."
Despite the teams' identical records last year, freshman guard Melvin Goins said Ball State knows how good the Panthers can be.
"I watched film on Milwaukee," Goins said. "They're a good team. You've just got to recognize their personnel and play hard."
The main cog in the Panthers' lineup is 6'7" forward Paige Paulsen. Paulsen is Wisconsin-Milwaukee's lead returning scorer from 2006-2007, in which he averaged 11 points a game.
He played 23 minutes in the Panthers' opening win against Upper Iowa University, scoring seven points and grabbing six rebounds.
The Panthers are known for their Cinderella runs in the NCAA tournament. In their last two appearances, Wisconsin-Milwaukee made it to the Sweet 16 in 2005 and won a first-round game in 2006.
"They still have some guys who were a big part of that success," Taylor said. "We know they are coming in hungry. It's a proud program."
Although the Cardinals scored a mere 45 points against Butler, Taylor said, he is not worried about having a productive offensive team.
"I think it's really geared towards our shot selection in the first half," Taylor said of the Butler game.
After a second half in which Ball State was outscored 30-28 by the Bulldogs, Taylor said, he has something to build off of heading into tonight's match up.
"The second half was better," Taylor said. "We were better defensively. The offense also helped control the tempo a little bit. I thought there was some real promise in the way we played the second half."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
