The Daily from Ball State Unified Media
Arizona's Bennedict Mathurin (0) reacts after a dunk during the second half against TCU in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 20, 2022, in San Diego. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/TNS)

MASSEY: PAC-12 Tournament preview

By Dane Massey / March 1, 2023

It might be Déjà vu with the way this tournament is playing out so far, but it’s playing out like a movie script in a way. The top two seeds in each tournament feature the two teams who finished last year in the championship rounds of the men’s and women’s tournaments. These teams are all ranked in the top 10 teams in the nation, and all have solid basketball histories of glory and championships. Obviously, rematches are always fun, but there is something about PAC-12 rematches that are just so special. In that third game in a neutral site, you never know for sure who’s going to take the third and final round of the series, and that is what makes this tournament such a fun one to watch.

DiJonai Carrington #21 of the Baylor Lady Bears tries to take a shot as Aaliyah Edwards #3 and Olivia Nelson-Ododa #20 of the UConn Huskies defend in the final minutes of the game during the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at the Alamodome on March 29, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas.The UConn Huskies defeated the Baylor Lady Bears 69-67 to advance to the Final Four. (Elsa/Getty Images/TNS)
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

MASSEY: Big 12 Tournament Preview

By Dane Massey / March 1, 2023

No matter the odds, always bet on the Big 12 to deliver an amazing  Tournament, as this tournament features some of the best basketball programs in the nation. Especially this year. Heading into this year’s Big 12 tournament, both tournaments have a combined total of eight teams in the Top 25 in each of their respective brackets. It also features two of last year’s and this year’s favorites to win the national title. The Big 12 tournament always starts out with really high expectations from the start, but what about this year?

The NCAA logo is seen in the second half of the game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 16, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images/TNS)
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

MASSEY: SEC Tournament preview

By Dane Massey / March 1, 2023

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) is always one of the most competitive conferences every year and it provides us with some of the most talented teams in the nation. However, the SEC this year is THE conference to beat this year in both Men’s and Women’s college basketball. On the men’s side, we have Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Texas A&M and even Missouri all fighting for the SEC crown, and in women’s? South Carolina looks for redemption for last year and to come away with the SEC title to avenge last year’s miserable defeat.

FILE - In this March 21, 2013, file photo, an athlete jumps near the NCAA logo during practice for a second-round game of the NCAA college basketball tournament in Austin, Texas. Defying the NCAA, California's governor signed a first-in-the-nation law Monday, Sept. 30, that will let college athletes hire agents and make money from endorsements — a move that could upend amateur sports in the U.S. and trigger a legal challenge. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

MASSEY: American Athletic Conference Tournament preview

By Dane Massey / March 1, 2023

One of the youngest conference tournaments in the nation, the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament has seen a massive rise in popularity as it has featured some of the best games since starting just nine years ago. But what makes this year’s tournaments extra special is that history has been written before each tournament. Both of the number one seeds in this tournament are having historical seasons posting two of the best records in their respective teams’ histories. The top two teams are also ranked in the top 25 and there is a lot of underdog competition in each of the brackets which is what will make this tournament interesting. Will it be that easy for the top dogs to get by? Well, we’re about to find out.

Graduate student forward Keenan Gumbs of the Liberty Flames goes for a layup against UCLA Dec. 29, 2018. Tribune News Service/David Wilson of the Miami Herald photo courtesy
ASUN TOURNAMENT PREVIEW

MASSEY: Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament preview

By Dane Massey / February 28, 2023

March is finally here, and with it comes the madness of tournament time. The madness starts with the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) Tournament which is scheduled to start with the men’s tournament featuring two matchups, one being Queens taking on Florida Gulf Coast and the reigning champions Bellarmine taking on North Florida. It’s time for magic to happen and dreams to be crushed, what fun!

Redshirt-junior guard Jarron Coleman celebrates Ball State defeating Kent State Feb. 21 at Worthen Arena. Coleman scored nine points during the game. Amber Pietz, DN
MEN'S BASKETBALL

Ball State tops conference leader at home, wins 82-70

By Derran Cobb / February 22, 2023

Jarron Coleman with the rebound. He swings it to Jaylin Sellers up the court. Sellers pulls up for a 3-pointer… it’s good. The packed Worthen Arena roars with cheers as Kent State calls timeout. That moment was likely the most pivotal moment of the game for the Cardinals (20-8, 11-4 MAC), as they mounted a 16-5 run to start the second half to propel themselves to victory over the Kent State Golden Flashes (22-6, 12-3 MAC). 

Redshirt Junior guard Jarron Coleman travels down the court in a game against the Northen Illinois Huskies on Feb. 14 at Worthen Arena. Ball State won with a score of 87-77. Katelyn Howell, DN
MEN'S BASKETBALL

Ball State grinds out another win over Northern Illinois

By Derran Cobb / February 15, 2023

Dishing out 15 assists as a team, Ball State (19-7, 10-3 MAC) took care of business as it completed the season sweep of short-handed Northern Illinois (11-15, 7-6 MAC) by 10 points. The first thing head coach Michael Lewis had to say in the post-game press conference was an acknowledgment of a hard-fought game from the Huskies. 

Junior Kaiyem Cleary dribbles the ball in game against Bowling Green Feb. 11 at Worthen Arena. Brandon Dean, DN
MEN'S BASKETBALL

Cardinals Defeat Bowling Green, jump a spot in MAC standings

By Zach Carter / February 11, 2023

On Saturday afternoon, Ball State attempted to improve its spot in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) as Bowling Green visited Worthen Arena. Before the game, they were alone in fourth place. After the Cardinals (17-7) used an offensive clinic to guide them past the Falcons (10-14) 93-72, they now sit tied for third and have a chance for second place.

Sophomore center Payton Sparks gets fouled as he goes up for a layup in a game against Eastern Michigan Feb. 3 at Worthen Arena. Sparks had ten rebounds and tallied a double-double in the game. Brayden Goins, DN
MEN'S BASKETBALL

Ball State powers to 4th straight win on the road

By Derran Cobb / February 7, 2023

This is a special season. Ball State (17-7, 8-3 MAC) now has its best record since 1998 and is showing no signs of slowing down. Tonight, the Cardinals traveled to Mount Pleasant, Michigan to take on Central Michigan (8-16, 3-8 MAC) and left with a win. At the beginning of the game, the Chippewas came out shooting hot and playing good defense. At first, the Cardinals didn’t adapt. 

Sophomore center Payton Sparks gets fouled as he goes up for a layup in a game against Eastern Michigan Feb. 3 at Worthen Arena. Sparks had ten rebounds and tallied a double-double in the game. Brayden Goins, DN
MEN'S BASKETBALL

Ball State defeats Eastern Michigan in overtime thriller at home

By Derran Cobb / February 4, 2023

The Cardinals (16-7, 7-3 MAC), enjoying their best start since 2000, defeated the Eastern Michigan Eagles (6-17, 3-7 MAC) in what was a tightly contested contest that needed an extra five minutes to decide a winner. This game, broadcasted on CBS Sports, was a close one from the very beginning with Ball State trailing by three going into halftime. Head Coach Michael Lewis applauded his team for a better, more complete second half. 

Redshirt sophomore foward Mickey Pearson Jr. contemplates his next move during a game against Buffalo Jan. 24 at Worthen Arena. The Cardinals fell to the Bulls 65-91. Katelyn Howell, DN
MEN'S BASKETBALL

Ball State suffers first home loss of the season

By Derran Cobb / January 25, 2023

Ball State turnover. Buffalo layup. Ball State turnover. Buffalo miss, but then another Ball State turnover. Buffalo 3-pointer, Ball State answers. Then back-to-back turnovers lead to back-to-back 3-pointers. Coach Lewis calls a timeout. The score is 12 - 3. Ball State (13-7, 4-3 MAC) could never recover from this sloppy start in its 26-point loss at the hands of Buffalo (10-10, 4-3 MAC), who never seemed to cool down, shooting 59.7 percent (37-of-62) from the field and 50 percent (11-of-22) from the perimeter.

Redshirt junior guard Jarron Coleman goes for a basket in a game against Buffalo Jan. 24 at Worthen Arena. Coleman had four rebounds during the game. Amber Pietz, DN
MEN'S BASKETBALL

Four takeaways from Ball State's 26-point loss to Buffalo

By Zach Carter / January 24, 2023

Ugly, ugly and, yes, even more ugly. Before going on a two-game road trip, Ball State faced Buffalo at Worthen Arena in a weeknight Mid-American Conference (MAC) matchup. The first few minutes were a sign of what was ahead. Considering the loudest moment of the night was a fan hitting a halfcourt shot during a timeout, this was a game that fans wish never happened as the Bulls defeated the Cardinals 91-65. Here are four takeaways from Ball State's first home loss of the season.

Redshirt junior guard Jarron Coleman looks to pass the ball in a game against Illinois State at the Indy Classic Dec. 17 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Coleman had seven assists during the game. Amber Pietz, DN
MEN'S BASKETBALL

Opportunity for growth after Ball State's road loss to Kent State

By Derran Cobb / January 20, 2023

Ball State (13-6, 4-2 MAC) went on the road to take on battle-tested Kent State (16-3, 6-0 MAC) in a matchup of the two teams atop the Mid-American Conference (MAC) standings, and Kent State put on a clinic. The Golden Flashes clicked on just about every aspect of the game, while the Cardinals had trouble on both sides of the ball. Head Coach Michael Lewis acknowledges that this was their first real test of the season. 

More from The Daily

Most Popular

Sponsored Stories

More from our partners
Loading Recent Classifieds...