Ball State is in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005, but the NCAA selection committee has given it a tough challenge.
Ball State will play at No. 4 overall seed Ohio State in the first round of the tournament.
The Buckeyes won the Big Ten Conference and finished 30-2 on the year. The Cardinals finished 2011 with a 15-14 record.
Ball State made the field after winning the Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship Saturday in Kalamazoo, Mich.
Ball State won the tournament as the No. 4 seed, upsetting No. 1 Western Michigan and No. 2 Toledo.
In addition to the NCAA Tournament selection, coach Bill Richards was named MAC Coach of the Year Tuesday.