While it was arguably the ugliest of Ball State’s eight Mid-American Conference victories this season, Saturday’s 53-51 win over Northern Illinois was undeniably the most important.
A slip up against the worst team in the MAC West Division would’ve dropped the Cardinals from a No. 5 seed in the MAC Tournament to a No. 8 seed, forcing them to host a first round game today.
The team managed to secure a season sweep over the Huskies, however, advancing them to the second round of the tournament in Cleveland.
“Getting that win helps us know what it feels like to grind out games,” said senior guard Jauwan Scaife. “Our confidence is still the same, we’ve still won seven out of our last eight. Everything is still going well, we’re still working hard and nothing is going to change going into the MAC Tournament.
For a team that’s won four straight games in league play, change isn’t necessarily a good thing.
Ball State plays the winner of today’s game between Buffalo and Central Michigan on Wednesday to try and keep that streak alive.
While the team is a combined 1-2 against the Bulls and Chippewas, the Cardinals side of the bracket seems more favorable for a run in the tournament.
A potential semifinal game against No. 1 seed Akron became more attractive after the Zips star point guard Alex Abreu was charged for marijuana-trafficking on Thursday and suspended from the team indefinitely.
Ball State’s personnel seems better suited for an upset over Akron rather than No. 2 seed Ohio. The Bobcats’ backcourt dominated the Cardinals in their 69-42 win in Worthen Arena on Feb. 6.
Despite Akron’s troubles off the court, coach Billy Taylor said his team doesn’t favor one opponent over another.
“We’re just happy to go to Cleveland,” Taylor said. “It doesn’t matter who’s in front of us, we’re going to try and win four games in four days.”
