Ball State University Athletics
Men's Basketball Announces 2010-11 Schedule
September 13, 2010 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. - Ball State men's basketball head coach Billy Taylor announced a challenging 30-game schedule for the 2010-11 season Monday afternoon. The schedule is highlighted by 14 home games at Worthen Arena and an appearance in the prestigious 2010 Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout.
"This is arguably the toughest non-conference schedule we have put together," Taylor said. "The non-conference portion of the schedule will thoroughly prepare us for Mid-American Conference play. We are excited to continue our series with national runner-up Butler as well as instate rivals Indiana State and Valparaiso."
The Cardinals open the 2010-11 season at home as they host Eastern Illinois Nov. 14, marking the sixth straight season in which BSU has opened the year at Worthen Arena. Ball State stays home Nov. 17 as it hosts instate rival Indiana State. The contest with the Sycamores will be the 125th meeting all-time between the two teams, the most meetings against an opponent in BSU history.
The Cardinals make their first road trip of the year Nov. 20 as they travel down I-69 for the 102nd meeting all-time with the NCAA championship finalist Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The 2010-11 season marks the 61st straight season Ball State and Butler have met at least one time during the year.
Ball State will rack up its frequent flier miles the following week as it travels to Anchorage, Alaska for the Great Alaska Shootout. The Cardinals open the eight-team tournament November 24 when they take on Big East foe St. John's. Other teams on the Cardinals' side of the bracket include Southern Utah and Drake while the bottom half of the bracket features Houston Baptist, Arizona State, Weber State and host Alaska Anchorage. BSU will play three total games Nov. 24, 26 and 27 during the tournament.
"Having an opportunity to play in a prestigious tournament like the Great Alaska Shootout is great for our program," Taylor said. "Playing in a marquee contest against St. John's to open the tournament is great exposure for our program. Hopefully we can establish ourselves on the college basketball scene by playing sound basketball. Also, gaining tournament experience with three games in four days will help prepare us for the MAC Tournament later in the year."
The Cardinals return the lower 48 states Dec. 8 as they travel to Eastern Illinois before heading to Chicago Dec. 11 to face Big East foe DePaul. The meeting against the Blue Demons will be the first for BSU since the 1979-80 season.
"Travelling to Chicago to face another Big East opponent in DePaul will be great for our guys," Taylor said. "We will get the opportunity to play against a fast, physical team that will prepare us for our MAC schedule."
Ball State returns home to Worthen Arena and begins a stretch of three home games in four contests. The Cardinals will host the College of Mount St. Joseph (Dec. 21) before heading to Valparaiso (Dec. 28) for the 59th meeting all-time with the Crusaders. BSU will wrap up the pre-conference slate as it hosts North Carolina A&T (Dec. 31) and SIU-Edwardsville (Jan. 3).
The 16-game Mid-American Conference schedule begins Jan. 8 when the Cardinals travel to DeKalb, Ill., to face the Northern Illinois Huskies. Ball State will play a home-and-home series against each team from the MAC West Division (NIU, Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan and Toledo) while playing each team from the MAC East Division once. The Cardinals will host Kent State, Ohio and Buffalo from the MAC East while travelling to Miami, Bowling Green and Akron.
The Cardinals also have a home non-conference schedule in the midst of the MAC schedule as they will host Morehead State Jan. 24. The Eagles posted a 24-11 record last season, marking their second straight 20-win campaign.
The 2011 Mid-American Conference Tournament will begin March 7/8 with first round contests as campus sites. The teams advancing past the first round will head to Cleveland, Ohio, March 10-12 for the conclusion of the MAC Tournament at Quicken Loans Arena.
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