Ball State University continues its search for a road victory at 7 p.m. at the University at Buffalo. The quest for a win away from Worthen Arena has grown increasingly heartbreaking to the Cardinals in recent weeks.
In its last four road games, all losses, Ball State has been outscored by a total of 11 points. The most recent of those defeats was a 64-61 overtime loss to Mid-American Conference leader Kent State University.
While defeating the Buffalo Bulls, who are in last place in the MAC East division with a 2-8 league record, would appear to be a simpler task, coach Billy Taylor said, he knows better than to let that possibility enter his players' heads.
"They're definitely better than that 2-8 record," Taylor said. "They've been very competitive. They've been playing really well, in their last four games in particular."
The Bulls are on a two-game winning streak, which came directly after they lost consecutive games in double overtime the week before.
While the Cardinals have come close in four straight attempts on the road, Taylor said, his team won't be satisfied with its efforts until it picks up a win.
"I think the important thing for us is not to hang our hat on what we've done recently on the road," Taylor said. "We can't just say we're going to play well. We have to understand we haven't been successful on the road. We have no reason to be overconfident or complacent."
The Cardinals will head to Buffalo undermanned, as junior forward Rob Giles, who had already missed the previous two games, has been diagnosed with a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee. Giles will have surgery this week and is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season.
With Giles injured, Ball State's normal nine-man rotation will decrease to eight, with playing time expected to increase for freshman Rashaun McLemore and sophomore Dexter Hinkley, Taylor said.
"To lose a body like Rob, who had been playing pretty well, it does impact our rotation in the frontcourt," Taylor said. "There will be opportunities for other guys to step up and perform. We'll have to be creative in how we manage the rotation."
Buffalo boasts the MAC East Player of the Week in junior guard Andy Robinson. As the team's leading scorer, he averages 12.7 points per game, but poured in a career-high 35 in the Bulls' victory at Northern Illinois University last week.
Robinson is one of eight Bulls averaging at least 5.9 points, which gives Taylor's team a lot to worry about defensively.
"We have to be focused and adjust as the game is going on," Taylor said. "We have to come out and play with great effort, energy and attitude."
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