Ball State University Athletics
Jones & Davis Earn Preseason All-MAC Honors
November 02, 2011 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State men's basketball team was picked to finish second in the Mid-American Conference West Division preseason poll while seniors Jarrod Jones (Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City) and Randy Davis (Plymouth, Ind./Plymouth) were named to the West Division preseason All-MAC team, as determined by the 24-member MAC News Media Panel Wednesday morning.
"I am really proud of Jarrod and Randy being recognized on the preseason All-MAC team," fifth-year head coach Billy Taylor said. "It is a testament to how hard they have worked and what they have done for our program over their past three years. As seniors and captains, we certainly have a high level of expectations for them this year and look forward to what they can accomplish."
The Cardinals were picked to finish second in the MAC West Division with 111 points, including nine first place votes, behind Western Michigan (128/14). The Cardinals finished last season with a 19-13 overall record and a 10-6 mark in MAC play, finishing second in the West Division. The Cardinals returns nine letterwinners, including its top five scorers, from last season's team which posted the 11th most wins in program history.
Rounding out the MAC West Division are Central Michigan (92/1), Toledo (76), Northern Illinois (59) and Eastern Michigan (38).
Reigning MAC regular season champion Kent State was selected to win the East Division with 132 total points, including 16 first place votes. Akron was tabbed second with 104 points and eight first place votes followed by Ohio (94), Miami (80), Buffalo (62) and Bowling Green (32).
Kent State was also selected to win the 2012 MAC Tournament in Cleveland, Ohio as it received 12 of the 24 votes. Akron was second with six votes followed by the Cardinals (3), Western Michigan (2) and Central Michigan (1).
Jones highlights the MAC West Division preseason team, earning preseason accolades for the third time in his career. He earned First Team All-MAC and MAC All-Tournament honors last season as a junior when leading the team in scoring at 14.7 points per game and rebounding at 8.4 caroms per game. He scored double figures in 27 of BSU's 32 games, including five games of 20-plus points last season while posting 11 double-doubles.
Davis earns preseason All-MAC honors for the first time in his career after starting all 32 games last season as the Cardinals' point guard. He averaged 9.8 points per game while leading the team with 160 assists and 48 steals. He led the MAC from the free throw line connecting on 87.3 percent (117-of-134) while placing second in assists per game (5.0).
Western Michigan also placed two members on the preseason All-MAC West Division team in Demetrius Ward and Flenard Whitfield while Central Michigan's Trey Zeigler rounded out the squad. The East Division preseason All-MAC team consists of Kent State's Justin Greene, Ohio's D.J. Cooper, Akron's Zeke Marshall, Miami's Julian Mavunga and Buffalo's Javon McCrea.
Ball State hits the court for the first time this season Monday, November 7 as it hosts Taylor in an exhibition game at Worthen Arena. The Cardinals open the regular season November 13 when they travel to No. 16 Arizona for a non-conference matchup on FSN Arizona.
2011-2012 Men's Basketball Preseason All-MAC Teams/Predicted Order of Finish
West Division Preseason All-MAC Team
Randy Davis, G, Ball State
Jarrod Jones, F, Ball State
Demetrius Ward, F, Western Michigan
Flenard Whitfield, F, Western Michigan
Trey Zeigler, G, Central Michigan
East Division Preseason All-MAC Team
D.J. Cooper, G, Ohio
Justin Greene, F, Kent State
Zeke Marshall, C, Akron
Julian Mavunga, F, Miami
Javon McCrea, F, Buffalo
West Division Predicted Order of Finish
1. Western Michigan - 128 points (14)
2. Ball State - 111 points (9)
3. Central Michigan - 92 points (1)
4. Toledo - 76 points
5. Northern Illinois - 59 points
6. Eastern Michigan - 38 points
East Division Predicted Order of Finish
1. Kent State - 132 points (16)
2. Akron - 104 points (8)
3. Ohio - 94 points
4. Miami - 80 points
5. Buffalo - 62 points
6. Bowling Green - 32 points
(1st place votes in parentheses)
FirstEnergy MAC Tournament Champion: Kent State (12), Akron (6), Ball State (3), Western Michigan (2), Central Michigan (1).
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