Men's Basketball In Cleveland For MAC Media Day

CLEVELAND, Ohio - - The Ball State men's basketball season moved one step closer to its official Nov. 9 tip-off versus Butler earlier today (Oct. 18), when Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, played host to the annual Mid-American Conference Basketball Media Day.

Thursday's event gave first-year Ball State head coach Billy Taylor, as well as preseason All-Mid-American Conference Team selection senior Peyton Stovall, a chance to meet and talk to media members from around the league.

During his 10-minute interview session, Taylor had the following to say about the upcoming 2007-08 season:

“We are less than a week into practice and excited for the season to begin. Even though we are limited in numbers, we are not limited in talent.

“We know there will be adversity, but it is my job as coach, our job as a staff and our job as a team to fight through it together.

“The foundation of this program is built upon the student athletes, and we have a great group to build around. It starts with senior Peyton Stovall, who has been a tremendous leader for this team.

“All the guys have been working hard in practice. We know we will be challenged, but we are looking forward to the season.”

Stovall, who was selected to the preseason All-MAC Team for the second time in his career, enters his senior season 21 points shy of scoring 1,000 points. He also ranks seventh all-time in school history in three-point field goals, has undergone two ACL surgeries (on the same knee) and will graduate in December as a double major in sports administration and marketing.

When asked about the upcoming season, Stovall had the following to say.

“As a team, we are ready to get the ball rolling. Coach has put together a tremendous staff, and with the guys we currently have in the program, the future looks very bright.

“I have a lot of confidence in my coach and teammates. We are going to have a good year this year.”

In addition to coach and player interviews with all 12 league teams, the league office announced its 2007-08 Preseason Poll as voted on by members of the MAC News Media Association.

Western Michigan was selected to capture the league's West Division title, picking up 23 of the 32 first place votes and 173 points. Toledo (6 first-place votes/144 points) was chosen second, followed by Central Michigan (3 first-place votes/131 points), Eastern Michigan (92 points), Northern Illinois (58 points) and Ball State (53 points).

Voting for the East Division was a lot closer, with Kent State coming out on top, earning 10 first-place votes and 147 points. Miami was second with nine first-place votes and 146 points, followed by Ohio (8 first-place votes/131 points), Akron (5 first-place votes/128 points), Buffalo (52 points) and Bowling Green (47 points).

The Golden Flashes were also the favorite to win the 2008 MAC Tournament title, earning seven votes, followed by Western Michigan (6), Ohio (5), Miami (5), Akron (4), Toledo (3) and Bowling Green (1).

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