Ball State University Athletics
9 Players, 9 Days: Anthony Newell
November 08, 2007 | Men's Basketball
9 Players, 9 Days:
Anthony Newell
MUNCIE, Ind. -- During the closing minutes of Sunday's exhibition game between Ball State and Anderson University, fans caught a glimpse of what junior forward Anthony Newell will bring to the Cardinals this upcoming season.
Taking the role of the sixth man in Sunday's match-up due to illness the previous two days, Newell showed no signs of slowing down by shooting 50 percent from the field, scoring 16 points and pulling down 14 rebounds in 23 minutes.
“I don't want anything to hold me back this year," Newell said. "I want to raise my averages and help the team win this year. One of my goals is to make the All-MAC Team and lead this team to a championship.”
The 6-foot-5, two-time letterwinner out of Chicago, has shown continual improvement throughout his career at Ball State.
After redshirting his first year on campus, Newell has progressed into a nuisance for every opponent. He threatens the three point shot, drives through the lane and most of all, rebounds.
During his freshman season, he posted a career-high 20 points versus Tennessee State while going five-for-five from 3-point range.
His sophomore year could be thought of as a breakthrough season after he scored 368 points, the second-highest on the team behind Skip Mills (370). Newell scored in double-figures 24 times a year ago.
In addition, he recorded seven double-doubles throughout the season, including three straight to finish the season.
Newell's responsibility as a Cardinal has increased also, after being named team captain along side senior Peyton Stovall.
“I'm happy I'm looked at as a leader, and I'm looking forward to working with Stov to help our teammates perform well, on and off the court,” Newell said. “I need to lead by example and show consistency in what I do.”
Newell was named captain in a team vote and first-year head coach Billy Taylor agrees.
“Anthony has developed into a strong player over the past years and has proven himself to hold these responsibilities as captain," Taylor said. "He's continued to show his dedication to the game through his leadership and is going to continue to be a threat to our opponents. He will be a main focus in the opponent's scouting report."
And if you think he only puts up big numbers on the basketball court, you'd be mistaken.
"We all hang out with each other, we love to go bowling,” Newell said.
Which leads to the question -- who is the best bowler on the team?
“Me," Newell quickly said with a smile. "I bowled a 198 the other night. I beat everybody.”
It goes to show that this team is growing closer with each other. From what has been seen of this Ball State team so far, the nine players continue to learn, hustle and bond with each other with the help and guidance of their captains.
On Friday, Newell and the other eight Cardinals look to see "The Nest" and Worthen Arena filled with the fans that gave it the reputation of being the hardest arena to play in throughout the Mid-American Conference.
Newell believes this team has something to show for its numbers and size.
“We plan to prove to everybody that this team is not 'rebuilding,' we have nothing to lose. You simply go hard, or go home. And it all starts Friday.”
"Opening Night at Worthen Arena"
Ball State opens the 2007-08 season with one of Indiana college basketball's most heated rivalries -- Nov. 9 vs. Butler in Worthen Arena. The Cardinals and the Bulldogs will be meeting for the 99th time in the all-time series.
"Opening Night" festivities include free men's basketball schedule posters to the first 1,500 fans courtesy of C.S. Kern, the NBA halftime act The Extreme Team (formerly the Bud Light Daredevils) will entertain fans at halftime, while the Muncie Civic Theater cast of Annie will perform the National Anthem.
Plus, opening night will mark the debut of the brand new look of the No. 1 student section in the Mid-American Conference -- "The Nest". All BSU students in "The Nest" will get a free t-shirt and other gameday items to help create an electric atmosphere.
Ball State Athletics is offering a variety of ways to get fans to the game Nov. 9. The "Opening Night Youth Penny Promotion" offers up to four youth tickets to the game for just a penny each with an adult general admission ticket. That equals one adult and four kids admission to the event for just $8.04! Information is available by calling 1.888.BSU.TICKET or get your tickets online!
Attention schools, youth groups and non-profit organizations! You may be eligible to bring your group or organization to the Nov. 9 game for FREE. For more information, contact Chris Taylor in the BSU Athletics Communications & Marketing Office at 765.285.8242.
NOTE: The eighth in a nine-part series on each of the Ball State men's basketball players, exclusively on ballstatesports.com through Nov. 9.
