Indiana State's men's basketball team opens its 2018-19 account at in-state mid-major rival Ball State at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Worthen Arena and when it comes to the Cardinals? There are plenty of known quantities.
Guard Tayler Parsons and forwards Kyle Mallers, Tahjai Teague and Trey Moses have been stalwarts for Ball State for a long time and they helped the Cardinals finish 19-13 in 2018. Because of the core of returning contributors the Cardinals have, BSU was picked second in the Mid-American Conference West Divison, just barely behind favorite Eastern Michigan. Ball State garnered 11 first-place votes.
When it comes to the Sycamores dealing with the experienced Cardinals? ISU guard Jordan Barnes ? by far the Sycamores' best-known player ? had his own ideas on how to handle it.
"The road game is going to be tough going in there to play an in-state rival. We need to develop our toughness and identity. We're still looking to find it. We showed glimpses in the exhibition game of what we could be. Now it's time to put it all to use," Barnes said.
ISU center Emondre Rickman, who will be battling Teague and Moses (maybe) in the paint, wanted to make it clear that the Sycamores ? who have promise, but only one player (Barnes) who averaged double-figures in 2018 back in the fold ? aren't going to back down
"I keep up with Moses. I follow up what he does a lot. I know he's going to be a tough player, but I know what I've done. I'm looking for a quick comeback after sitting out most of the [preseason, with a knee injury]. I think he should be looking out for me too as far as what I bring to the table," Rickman noted.
It will be interesting to see what Ball State ? despite its experience ? will bring to the table too. Persons sat out Ball State's 92-76 exhibition win over the University of Indianapolis after violating team rules, though he is expected to play tonight. Moses also had knee injury that knocked him out of much of Ball State's preseason practices and he also did not play against Indianapolis. Moses is also expected to return, but he will have rust to shake off.
ISU comes into the game healthier, although not without concerns of its own. Freshman center Blake Brinkmeyer hadn't participated in much activity since ISU's 77-44 exhibition win over Rose-Hulman last Thursday with a sore knee. ISU, however, will have the services of swingman Clayton Hughes, who sat out the exhibition against the Engineers.
What can ISU expect from Ball State if all is equal? Persons is the fulcrum on which the Cardinals run their offense. He was among the top guards in the country in 2018 as far as his assist rate was concerned. Moses and Teague are among the best defensive rebounders in the country and Moses gets fouled frequently. Mallers is a versatile scorer.
To those players, the Cardinals added Missouri transfer guard K.J. Walton and Arkansas transfer forward Brachen Hazen.
"We're going to have to defend them. They're a good 3-point shooting team and they do have some patience on offense, but they have guys like Persons and K.J. Walton who can really create off their dribble. They can really spread you out and play a five-out style of motion. You can't pack it in and get them standing around," ISU coach Greg Lansing noted.
ISU will counter with the 3-point shooting of Barnes, the hoped-for emergence of Tyreke Key and the Sycamores will continue to try to find someone who can be a third scorer. Forward Devin Thomas had 13 points against the Engineers last Thursday. Rickman and freshmen De'Avion Washington and Brinkmeyer also showed some scoring promise.
It's going to be tough for Barnes and Key early on as the defensive attention they get will be far more withering than what Rose-Hulman threw at them, but Lansing feels they're ready.
"J.B. dealt with it last year and did a good job of it. Tyreke is going to see more of it. Both of those guys play with the ball very well. Maybe have a few less dribbles, give it up, and move without the ball and go get it back. I think we have other weapons and can score in different ways. Both of those guys are unselfish. I think we'll be fine," Lansing said.
ISU has won five of the last seven meetings against Ball State, including their last visit to Muncie in 2016.
Guard Tayler Parsons and forwards Kyle Mallers, Tahjai Teague and Trey Moses have been stalwarts for Ball State for a long time and they helped the Cardinals finish 19-13 in 2018. Because of the core of returning contributors the Cardinals have, BSU was picked second in the Mid-American Conference West Divison, just barely behind favorite Eastern Michigan. Ball State garnered 11 first-place votes.
When it comes to the Sycamores dealing with the experienced Cardinals? ISU guard Jordan Barnes ? by far the Sycamores' best-known player ? had his own ideas on how to handle it.
"The road game is going to be tough going in there to play an in-state rival. We need to develop our toughness and identity. We're still looking to find it. We showed glimpses in the exhibition game of what we could be. Now it's time to put it all to use," Barnes said.
ISU center Emondre Rickman, who will be battling Teague and Moses (maybe) in the paint, wanted to make it clear that the Sycamores ? who have promise, but only one player (Barnes) who averaged double-figures in 2018 back in the fold ? aren't going to back down
"I keep up with Moses. I follow up what he does a lot. I know he's going to be a tough player, but I know what I've done. I'm looking for a quick comeback after sitting out most of the [preseason, with a knee injury]. I think he should be looking out for me too as far as what I bring to the table," Rickman noted.
It will be interesting to see what Ball State ? despite its experience ? will bring to the table too. Persons sat out Ball State's 92-76 exhibition win over the University of Indianapolis after violating team rules, though he is expected to play tonight. Moses also had knee injury that knocked him out of much of Ball State's preseason practices and he also did not play against Indianapolis. Moses is also expected to return, but he will have rust to shake off.
ISU comes into the game healthier, although not without concerns of its own. Freshman center Blake Brinkmeyer hadn't participated in much activity since ISU's 77-44 exhibition win over Rose-Hulman last Thursday with a sore knee. ISU, however, will have the services of swingman Clayton Hughes, who sat out the exhibition against the Engineers.
What can ISU expect from Ball State if all is equal? Persons is the fulcrum on which the Cardinals run their offense. He was among the top guards in the country in 2018 as far as his assist rate was concerned. Moses and Teague are among the best defensive rebounders in the country and Moses gets fouled frequently. Mallers is a versatile scorer.
To those players, the Cardinals added Missouri transfer guard K.J. Walton and Arkansas transfer forward Brachen Hazen.
"We're going to have to defend them. They're a good 3-point shooting team and they do have some patience on offense, but they have guys like Persons and K.J. Walton who can really create off their dribble. They can really spread you out and play a five-out style of motion. You can't pack it in and get them standing around," ISU coach Greg Lansing noted.
ISU will counter with the 3-point shooting of Barnes, the hoped-for emergence of Tyreke Key and the Sycamores will continue to try to find someone who can be a third scorer. Forward Devin Thomas had 13 points against the Engineers last Thursday. Rickman and freshmen De'Avion Washington and Brinkmeyer also showed some scoring promise.
It's going to be tough for Barnes and Key early on as the defensive attention they get will be far more withering than what Rose-Hulman threw at them, but Lansing feels they're ready.
"J.B. dealt with it last year and did a good job of it. Tyreke is going to see more of it. Both of those guys play with the ball very well. Maybe have a few less dribbles, give it up, and move without the ball and go get it back. I think we have other weapons and can score in different ways. Both of those guys are unselfish. I think we'll be fine," Lansing said.
ISU has won five of the last seven meetings against Ball State, including their last visit to Muncie in 2016.
