The first word that came to coach Kelly Packard's mind when asked about Senior Night was "emotional." It's been an up-and-down season for Ball State, but the past has been moved aside as it hosts Toledo tonight at 7.
Senior co-captains Suzanne Grossnickle and Amber Crago, along with Megan Craft, will put on their uniforms for the last time. Packard said it's been an honor to coach her three seniors over the years.
"I think it's always a special evening for any seniors and having had the chance to coach Amber and Suzanne their entire careers; [it] makes that really special," Packard said.
Instead of going with her normal starting lineup, Packard will start all three seniors as a tribute to their efforts. Packard said it's going to be extremely touching when names are announced, especially Craft, who has come a long way.
"Megan transferred here from Vincennes, and we only had two years with her, and yet for some really special reasons, it's going to be emotional with her. Megan has just been an incredible teammate, really understanding of what her role is and maybe one of the most selfless people I've ever met."
Toledo (19-8, 12-3) will prove to be a tough test. The Rockets defeated Ball State 63-48 in their first meeting on Jan. 19.
Junior center Yolanda Richardson dominated the Cardinals, especially in the paint, going 9-for-10 from the field. The Cardinals (9-19, 4-11) have spent a lot of time during practice this week to prepare for Richardson, who is Packard's main concern.
"We have worked on our post defense and limiting deep paint positioning for Richardson and being able to box out will be huge for us," Packard said.
Offensively, the Rockets lead the Mid-American Conference in field goal percentage — 43.8 percent — and field goal percentage defense — 34.6 percent. In addition, the Rockets are the best defensive rebounding team in the conference, averaging over 28 boards per game.
"We try to simulate how physical they are in their half-court pressure with our scout team this week, really allowing them to body up and bump us and deny our off-ball touch," Packard said. "We've got to be able to jab-step and use some of those techniques that will get them to retreat a little bit with their on-ball pressure."
With hopes of sending seniors off on a positive note, Packard said her emotions might get the best of her.
"I tend to get that way because it's way more than sharing a basketball career," Packard said. "You have watched them mature. That window between when they come here at 18 or 19 years old and then leave at 20 or 23, you get to see such a change and who they are as a person. You get to know some of the ins and outs of some of the most defining moments during that four-year period that caused them to mature and grow up. When they walk to center court and their names [are] announced, it's so much more to me than just statistics that are read."
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