Coming off its loss to Missouri on Wednesday, the Ball State women's basketball team kicks off a two-game road trip Sunday at SIU-Edwardsville at 2 p.m. inside the Vadalabene Center.
Both the Cardinals (3-3) and Cougars (3-5) have won two of their last three games.
Ball State defeated SIU-Edwardsville by 24 points last season, but coach Kelly Packard is not overlooking the Cougars this season.
"The most important thing we highlighted in practice is that they are a much improved team," Packard said. "Our mindset needs to receive them as a much improved team from last season."
A familiar offense will be seen from the Cougars, Packard said, and it will be beneficial to the Cardinals.
"It's a high ball-screen offense that Bowling Green runs a lot," Packard said. "There seems to be a good understanding of recognizing what they're trying to accomplish offensively and knowing how we're going to address that defensively."
Senior forward Emily Maggert struggled with the size of Missouri's post players, but Packard said she will rebound.
"I think Emily is going to be able to bounce back because of her experience," Packard said. "We've worked in practice to make sure she knows to expect contact and double teams."
The offense needs to improve its spacing, Packard said, in order to be more productive, and put more pressure on their opponent.
"Being able to let some of the alignment and strategy of our offense develop by improving the spacing and stretching defenders and making the defenders make decisions," Packard said.
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