Even after a four-game losing streak and a 1-5 record at home in Mid-American Conference play this season, Ball State’s postseason position looks remarkably good thanks to a change in the MAC Tournament format.
With Toledo banned from postseason play in 2013 because of low Academic Performance Rate scores, the top five seeds automatically advance to Cleveland this season, instead of the top four.
Akron, Ohio and Western Michigan have all but sewn up their first-round byes, but the last two spots are still up for grabs.
Buffalo (6-6), Kent State (5-7), Bowling Green (5-7), Eastern Michigan (5-7) and Ball State (4-8) all have a realistic shot at the last two byes.
“We’ve really continued to preach that message to our guys — the importance of each and every game,” coach Billy Taylor said. “Four-and-eight is not where we want to be, but we still have quite a bit of control of our own destiny.”
Both the Cardinals and Eagles would need some help, but they have arguably the two easiest remaining schedules in the group because the Golden Flashes, Bulls and Falcons all play each other and at least one of the top-two seeds before the tournament.
Ball State’s (11-14, 4-8 MAC) first step toward a possible bye is tonight’s game against Central Michigan (9-17, 2-10 MAC) in Worthen Arena.
After beating the Cardinals in Ypsilanti, Mich., back on Jan. 19, the Chippewas have lost their last nine games, eight of those in conference play.
Although his team has won three of its last four games, Taylor said the struggles at home are frustrating and need to be corrected to keep fans coming back.
“We’ve played really well on the road and the team has been a little bit of an enigma in that sense,” Taylor said. “They seem very relaxed on the road, nothing really rattles them. We just want to have that same confidence at home here and play with that same energy and passion.”
That energy and passion came in the form of three previously injured juniors: Matt Kamieniecki, Jesse Berry and Tyler Koch.
Koch hit two 3-pointers in 13 minutes, Berry added six points and Kamieniecki posted his first career double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds against Southeast Missouri State on Saturday.
Despite good performances from all three players, Taylor said the team isn’t pushing any of them back into extended action too fast during this crucial run toward Cleveland.
“I think it’s got to be day-to-day just with the history we’ve seen,” Taylor said. “We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. We want to keep doing the right things with treatment. While they may not be [100 percent], they’re still out there playing at a level that helps the team be successful.”
