Ball State opens its season today at 3 p.m. as they host Eastern Illinois (0-1) in Worthen Arena.
The Panthers were picked to finish third in the Ohio Valley Conference this season as they bring back their leading scorer from last season, senior guard Tyler Laser, who was named preseason All-OVC. Last season Laser led the team in scoring 13.9 point per game.
In his fourth season, coach Billy Taylor said the Panthers bring a lot to the table with their returning players such as Laser, Jeremy Granger, and James Hollowell, who made the All-Rookie team last season.
"They have 70 percent of their offense returning," Taylor said. "They have a very good and experienced backcourt to go along with Hollowell as a front court player."
Taylor said the Panthers have several players who are capable of putting up double figures every night. He said that's proven by them winning eight games in a row at the end of the 2009-10 season, before losing Murray State in the semifinals of the OVC Tournament.
"They're a very good opponent with a lot of players returning, and will be a challenge for us," Taylor said. "Coach [Mike] Miller has really built the program up, these kids understand what's expected of them and you can really see them all buying into his system."
Ball State has opened the past two seasons with victories, they defeated Valparaiso 88-77 in 2009, and Eastern Illinois 72-59 in 2008.
In the Eastern Illinois game two years ago, forward/center, Jarrod Jones, who is a preseason All-MAC selection this year, opened his career with 21 points and 13 rebounds against the Panthers.
Taylor said he was pleased with the way things unfolded with the schedule, being able to open at home, especially on the date Ball State wanted. He said opening at home will be huge for his team, and that they better be ready.
This will not be the last time the Cardinals will face the Panthers, they will face off December 9, once they return from the Great Alaska Shootout.
"I feel like they're going to play good basketball and challenge us in both games," Taylor said. "We're going to have to play well to be successful."
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