Ball State opens its season tonight against in-state rival Butler

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-- Little stirs the emotions of Ball State's basketball players and fans quite like a game against Butler.

When Ball State was in the process of winning a school-record 29 games in 1988-89, about 5,000 Cardinal fans celebrated the rebirth of the program by attending a game against Butler in Hinkle Fieldhouse.When Butler became what Ball State used to be -- a mid-major darling in the NCAA Tournament during the 2000s -- the Bulldogs and their fans relished the attention they received and the stranglehold they put on the in-state rivalry.

And so it is with great anticipation that the schools open their seasons against each other at 7 p.m. today in Worthen Arena.

Butler holds a 61-37 lead in the all-time series, and has won six of the past seven games. But that hasn't lessened the rivalry in any way.

"It's the most important game on the entire schedule to me," said Ball State senior Peyton Stovall, who started at guard as a freshman during the Cardinals last win against Butler (63-61 in 2003). "This game has so much meaning to it. I know some of the guys on that team well, and there's a bragging rights thing like in high school. It's a real important game for my teammates and I to try to win."

Butler has won at least 20 games in nine of the past 11 years and grabbed many of the big headlines in Indiana for strong performances in the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs reached the Sweet Sixteen in 2003 and last year.

But the rivalry supersedes all of that, in Stovall's mind.

"Butler could be the worst team in the nation, the very worst, but the rivalry is the rivalry," Stovall said. "The bragging rights mean a lot. Any time you play an Indiana school, that's a win you want to get."

Butler is the overwhelming preseason favorite to win the Horizon League championship this season. The Bulldogs return five seniors from last year's team that won the NIT Season Tip-Off tournament, was nationally ranked for 16 consecutive weeks (top 10 in February), advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, and finished with a school-record 29 victories.

Today's opening game is the earliest in Ball State history, and the short time between the start of practice and the first game is a concern for first-year coach Billy Taylor.

"There's a lot we're trying to accomplish every single day with defensive positions, playing rotations and our offense," he said. "Our guys understand we won't be a finished product (tonight). We're a work in progress, and we're going to continue to get better."

Butler's lineup includes former Yorktown player Pete Campbell, a dangerous 3-point shooter. He led Butler with 20 points in a recent exhibition game against Marian College, making 6-of-9 shots from the arc.

Campbell played in 35 games last year, and he broke Horizon League records for 3-point percentage overall (.519) and in league games (.581).

 

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Bulldogs' Campbell is ready
Butler 3-point shooter who grew up near Muncie is excited to play against the Cardinals

Pete Campbell grew up in Muncie and attended basketball games at Ball State's Worthen Arena as a youth.

Tonight he will be a featured attraction at the arena. Campbell and his Butler Bulldogs open against a Ball State team led by new coach Billy Taylor.
This is also the debut for Butler coach Brad Stevens, although little else has changed for the Bulldogs. They retain five seniors, including Campbell, and a system that allowed them to go 29-7 and reach last season's NCAA Sweet Sixteen.
Campbell, a Yorktown High School graduate who transferred to Butler from Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne, has been targeting this game since the schedule was released.
"Ultimately, I'm mostly excited that it's the first game of the season," Campbell said. "It just happens to be at Ball State.
"It's a pretty good rivalry, and I'm just looking forward to preparing and showing them what we got."
In Campbell, the Bulldogs have someone who would have been NCAA 3-point champion last season had he made more 3s. He shot 51.9 percent from the arc, compared to 50.0 percent by the official leader. To qualify, a player must average 2.5 per game, and Campbell made 83 in 35 games. (He needed 88.)
Campbell began last season playing with a stress fracture and averaged fewer than seven minutes through 13 games. He went on to set a Horizon League record by shooting 58 percent from the arc in league games.
He was errant on 3s this fall -- 1-of-5 and 1-of-4 in an intrasquad game and exhibition opener -- but Stevens said, "Those might be the only two days."
Ball State is trying to attract a large crowd tonight, offering up to four youth tickets for a penny each with one adult admission. The Cardinals feature a new look for "The Nest" student section.
Butler has won six of the past seven meetings with Ball State, including 65-41 last year.
"We do have a little bit more of a bull's-eye on our back this year," Campbell said. "It's not going to change our approach or anything. Except for the fact that we know that and have to match and exceed anything that they throw at us."

Etc.
Butler's first four opponents all have new coaches. Besides Ball State, they are Indiana State (Kevin McKenna), Evansville (Marty Simmons) and Michigan (John Beilein). . . .

 

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Newcomer set for Ball State

Perry will have to provide a post presence for the Cardinals



MUNCIE, Ind. -- Ball State forward Malik Perry powered the ball into the basket as he was fouled by Anderson's David Squires during a recent exhibition basketball game in Worthen Arena.

While walking to the free throw line, Perry raised both arms and flexed his muscles to signify that he can provide a strong presence in the post.
That would be welcomed by Ball State this season, which begins tonight when the Cardinals host Butler at 7 p.m.
At 6-4, Perry is going to have to supply much of the inside muscle for the Cardinals, whose tallest player is 6-5.
"That's what I'm going to be pretty much the whole year, and I'm willing to do whatever to help the team," said Perry, a freshman from Philadelphia.
Perry made 7-of-10 shots and scored 17 points to lead the Cardinals in the exhibition game. He added four rebounds, three offensive.
His play was marked by effort and energy, two characteristics Ball State will need if it is going to win.
"He brings physical play and toughness to our lineup," Ball State coach Billy Taylor said. "He can score around the basket, and he's not afraid of contact, so he can make baskets with contact."
Perry was originally headed to the Big Ten Conference. After playing one season at a Philadelphia prep school, he signed to play for Steve Alford at Iowa.
Perry never made it there. He returned to Lutheran Christian Academy, where he averaged 26 points and 13 rebounds in 10 games last season. He signed with Ball State in January.
Perry is expected to provide a scoring punch with senior guard Peyton Stovall and junior forward Anthony Newell.
Though Perry isn't tall, his muscular build should allow him to provide a rebounding presence.
"It doesn't matter if you're 6-4 or 6-10," Taylor said. "If you're going to be physical and aggressive, and play with heart and passion, you can play anywhere on the floor. Malik really brings that type of attitude."
Ball State needs to improve its shooting. The Cardinals ranked last in the Mid-American Conference last year in field- goal and 3-point shooting.
Ball State's guard-heavy lineup figures to be forced to shoot often from the perimeter. The Cardinals hope to top last year's averages of 38.5 percent from the floor and 27.2 on 3-pointers.