Ball State University Athletics
Men's Hoops Hosts Chicago State New Year's Eve
December 29, 2011 | Men's Basketball
What's On Tap . . .
The Cardinals return home after the holiday break and begin a three-game homestand New Year's Eve as they host Chicago State in the first game of a men's/women's doubleheader at Worthen Arena ... Ball State has two non-conference games before opening up Mid-American Conference play Saturday, January 7 against MAC West Division preseason favorite Western Michigan.
Saturday's game against Chicago State will be broadcast on 104.1 WLBC FM with Morry Mannies and Jeff Weller providing the call ... The game will be video streamed online at www.ballstatesports.com.
Home, Sweet Home . . .
Saturday's game marks the 288th game all-time for the Cardinals at Worthen Arena since it opened January 15, 1992 (previously named University Arena) ... Ball State owns a 211-76 record all-time at Worthen Arena as it has won 73.5 percent of its games at home ... The Cardinals are 4-0 so far this season at home with wins over IUPUI, Calumet College, Texas Southern and Butler ... Last season, the Cardinals posted an 11-3 record at home, including a 5-1 mark during non-conference play ... During its career, the Cardinals have averaged over 10.35 wins a season at home at Worthen Arena.
Jones Earns Pre-Conference Honor . . .
Senior forward Jarrod Jones was named one of five All-Mid-American Conference selections by CollegeHoops.net for his play in the pre-conference schedule ... Jones ranks second in the MAC in scoring at 18.2 points per game and 8.4 rebounds per game ... He has earned MAC West Player of the Week honors twice so far this season, the only play in the division to win multiple honors.
Joining Jones on the pre-conference team is Miami's Julian Mavunga, Ohio's D. J. Cooper, Buffalo's Javon McCrea and Toledo's Rian Pearson.
Davis Named Bob Cousy Award Candidate . . .
For the second year in a row, Ball State senior point guard Randy Davis has been named one of 59 candidates for the 2012 Bob Cousy Collegiate Point Guard of the Year Award ... The annual honor, named for Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic Bob Cousy, recognizes the top point guards in college basketball ... Davis is one of just two players from the Mid-American Conference (D.J. Cooper, Ohio) among the 2012 nominees and is just one of 12 players in the country that has made the exclusive list for two straight years.
Davis, a preseason All-MAC West selection, leads the MAC and ranks third in NCAA Division I in assists per game at 7.3 as he has handed out 73 through the first 10 games this year ... He ranks sixth in the nation in assist/turnover ratio at 3.8, which is also tops in the MAC ... He tied his career-high with 11 assists in the season-opener against No. 16 Arizona ... He ranks fifth on the team in scoring at 7.5 points per game and has scored in double figures on three occasions this season.
Series History . . .
Saturday's game marks the fourth meeting all-time between Ball State and Chicago State ... The Cardinals are 3-0 all-time against the Cougars having won three straight games from 1990-91 through 1992-93 ... Ball State posted its last victory over Chicago State December 14, 1992 with a 75-69 victory at Worthen Arena. in the 15th men's basketball game all-time in arena history.
Coaching Comparison . . .
Ball State is led by fifth-year head coach Billy Taylor ... Taylor has led the Cardinals to 60 wins over the past four-plus seasons, including a 19-win campaign last year which marked the 11th most wins in program history ... The Cardinals have finished either first or second in the Mid-American Conference West Division the past three years and have advanced to the MAC Tournament semifinals two out of the last three years.
Chicago State is led by second-year head coach Tracy Dildy ... Dildy was an assistant at Ball State from 1994-97 and helped recruit BSU great Bonzi Wells.
Last Time Out. . .
Ball State suffered its second straight road defeat as the Cardinals dropped a 62-54 contest at reigning Ohio Valley Conference Tournament champions Morehead State ... The Cardinals committed a season-high 24 turnovers in the loss and allowed 18 offensive rebounds by a the Eagles.
Sophomore guard Tyrae Robinson saw his first action of the season after missing the first semester for academic reasons ... Robinson led the Cardinals with 14 points off the bench in 22 minutes as he hit 3-of-4 from three-point land and 5-of-6 from the charity stripe ... He was the only Cardinal in double figures as junior Jauwan Scaife was second on the team with eight points.
Robinson's Welcome Back . . .
Sophomore Tyrae Robinson saw his first action of the season against Morehead State and made an immediate impact on the floor ... Robinson scored a career-high 14 points in 22 minutes off the bench ... He hit a career-high three three-pointers in the loss ... His previous career-high was 12 points posted at Bowling Green (2/9/11) ... Prior to last game, Robinson had only hit three three-pointers in his first 30 career games (3-of-13).
Defensive Prowess . . .
The Cardinals have been one of the top defensive teams in the Mid-American Conference and the country under fifth-year head coach Billy Taylor and this season is no different ... Ball State enters the game leading the MAC and ranking 10th in NCAA Division I in scoring defense holding opponents to a 57.0 point average ... Also, the Cardinals lead the MAC in field goal percentage defense at 36.1 percent, which places them seventh in the nation ... Ball State is 10th in the country and second in the MAC in three-point field goal defense, holding opponents to 25.8 percent.
Last season, Ball State led the MAC and was 64th in the nation in scoring defense at 64.0 points per game while placing third in the league in field goal percentage defense at 42.0 ... Two years ago, the Cardinals also led the MAC in scoring defense and were 43rd in the nation at 62.4 points per game.
Scouting The Cardinals . . .
Ball State enters Saturday's game with a 6-4 overall record and a 4-0 mark at home at Worthen Arena ... The Cardinals are averaging 63.6 points per game while holding opponents to 57.0 points per game ... Ball State is shooting 42.1 percent (213-of-506) from the field and 32.8 percent (65-of-198) from three-point land ... Opponents are shooting 36.1 percent (191-of-529) from the field and 25.8 percent (51-of-198) from long range.
Senior forward Jarrod Jones leads the team in scoring at 18.2 points per game and on the glass at 8.4 rebounds per game ... Jones is shooting 56.5 percent (65-of-115) from the field and 85.5 percent (47-of-55) from the free throw line ... Sophomore Jesse Berry is second on the team in scoring at 10.1 points per game and is second with 14 three-pointers.
Junior guard Jauwan Scaife is one of four Cardinals with at least 10 three-pointers and leads the team with 19 long range shots ... Sophomore Chris Bond is second on the team in rebounding at 4.6 boards per game while Matt Kamieniecki adds 4.1 caroms per game.
Scouting The Cougars . . .
Chicago State enters Saturday's game with an 0-13 record, including an 0-10 mark on the road ... The Cougars have played one Mid-American Conference team this season, suffering a 73-61 home loss to Toledo ... Chicago State is averaging 59.2 points per game this season while allowing 86.2 points per game ... The Cougars are shooting 37.7 percent (289-of-767) from the field and 25.4 percent (51-of-201) from long range ... Opponents are shooting 48.0 percent (379-of-790) from the field and 38.9 percent (124-of-319) from long range.
Jeremy Robinson leads the team in scoring at 14.2 points per game and is second on the team with 6.9 rebounds per game ... Lee Fisher, a former Northern Illinois Husky, is second on the team in scoring at 12.1 points per game and leads the team on the glass at 7.3 rebounds per game as a graduate student ... Fisher also leads the team with 11 three-pointers.
Jones' Scoring Numbers . . .
Senior forward Jarrod Jones leads the Cardinals and is second in the Mid-American Conference in scoring at 18.2 points per game ... Jones ranks 24th in NCAA Division I in scoring this season ... He ranks 27th in the country in field goal percentage at 56.5 percent (65-of-115) and 78th in free throw percentage at 85.5 percent (47-of-55).
Jones has scored at least 20 points in six of the 10 games this season, including three straight games for the first time in his career ... He scored 25 points against No. 16 Arizona in the season opener, scored a career-high 26 points against IUPUI and added 23 points against Calumet College ... Currently, has notched three-straight games of 20-plus points with 22 points against UT Martin , 22 at SIU Edwardsville and 21 against Butler ... He has notched 16 games of 20-plus points in his career.
Running The Point . . .
Senior guard Randy Davis leads the Cardinals and the Mid-American Conference at 7.3 assists per game ... Davis currently ranks third in NCAA Division I in assists per game ... Additionally, Davis leads the MAC in assist/turnover ratio at 3.80, which ranks sixth in the nation.
Ball State as a team third in the MAC with 14.9 assists per game... The Cardinals lead the MAC in assist/turnover ratio at 1.20, which is 42nd best in the country.
Climbing The Charts . . .
Senior forward Jarrod Jones currently ranks 11th in Ball State history with 1,358 career points and is sixth all-time with 804 rebounds ... Jones just passed Skip Mills (1,360) for 11th all-time in scoring and is five points shy of the top 10 (Dan Palombizio -- 1,369) ... Additionally, Jones fourth all-time with 101 career starts ... Senior guard Randy Davis moved up to sixth all-time in assists with 375.
Scoring
7. Duane Clemens, 1996-2000 1,585
8. Steve Payne, 1992-95 1,440
9. Peyton Stovall, 2003-08 1,383
10. Dan Palombizio, 1984-86 1,369
11. Jarrod Jones, 2008-11 1,364
12. Skip Mills, 2003-07 1,360
13. Patrick Jackson, 1998-02 1,348
Rebounding
3. Steve Payne, 1992-95 885
4. Theron Smith, 1999-2002 882
5. Bonzi Wells, 1994-98 843
6. Jarrod Jones, 2008-11 804
Game Started
3. Duane Clemens, 1996-2000 109
4. Jarrod Jones, 2008-11 101
5. Randy Zachary, 1993-97 100
6. Malik Perry, 2007-11 99
7. Scott Nichols, 1986-90 98
Assists
4. Scott Nichols (1986-90) 406
5. Bonzi Wells, 1994-98 386
6. Randy Davis, 2008-11 375
7. Patrick Jackson, 1998-02 349
Peyton Stovall, 2003-08 349
Leading The MAC . . .
Senior forward Jarrod Jones is the Mid-American Conference career active leading scorer with 1,364 points and is the career active rebound leader at 804 boards ... Jones leads the active scoring leaders by 136 points as Kent State's Justin Greene is second at 1,228 points and Ohio's D.J. Cooper is third on the list at 1,219 points ... He also owns a 133-rebound lead as Greene is second on the active list at 671 rebounds ... Miami's Julian Mavunga is third on the list at 636 caroms.
Double-Dipping . . .
Senior forward Jarrod Jones has posted three double-doubles to raise his career total to a Mid-American Conference best 23 double-doubles ... Jones has accomplished the feat this season against Calumet College, Texas Southern and most recently at SIU Edwardsville.
Cardinals On Television . . .
Ball State announced its television package for Mid-American Conference play and the Cardinals can have up to 12 league games broadcasted on the Ball State Sports Network (BSSN), BSU Sports Link, SportsTime Ohio (STO) and ESPNU.
The Ball State Sports Network package for the MAC season includes three men's games, including Jan. 7 vs. Western Michigan, Jan. 21 at Northern Illinois and Feb. 25 at Eastern Michigan ... BSU Sports Link, an immersive learning student program, will produce the men's game Feb. 8 vs. Bowling Green.
The Ball State men's program will have three games guaranteed for SportsTime Ohio broadcasts including Jan. 10 at Toledo, Jan. 24 vs. Akron and Feb. 22 at Western Michigan ... The Cardinals have five games in the ESPNU flex-schedule which allows for a 21-day advance notice of the broadcast ... Men's games on the flex-schedule include Jan. 14 vs. Eastern Michigan, Jan. 28 at Ohio, Feb. 11 at Kent State, Feb. 29 vs. Central Michigan and March 2/3 vs. Northern Illinois.
20-Plus Scorers . . .
Against SIU Edwardsville, sophomore guard Jesse Berry and senior forward Jarrod Jones each scored at least 20 points in the Cardinals' 76-55 victory as Berry posted a career-high 25 points and Jones added 22 points ... It marks the first time this season that the Cardinals have had two players score at least 20 points in a game and the first time a duo has accomplished the feat since March 12, 2009 in the Cardinals' 64-61 Mid-American Conference Tournament victory over Central Michigan ... In that game, Jones scored 20 points while former Cardinal Laron Frazier added a career-high 22 points in the overtime victory.
Lowe's Senior CLASS Award . . .
Senior forward Jarrod Jones has been selected as one of 30 candidates for the 2011-12 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award given to basketball student-athletes who excel on and off the court ... Jones is the first Cardinal to be selected as a candidate since Peyton Stovall was a finalist for the 2007-08 award.
To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as a NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence - community, classroom, character and competition ... The 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot ... Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, Division I men's coaches and fans who will select one finalist who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition.
Cardinals Sign Four . . .
Ball State head coach Billy Taylor announced the signings of Michael Ramey (Indianapolis, Ind./Southport), Bo Calhoun (South Bend, Ind./Washington), Marcus Posley (Rockford, Ill./Rockford Auburn) and Mading Thok (Boyden, Iowa/Western Christian) to national letters of intent Friday morning during the early signing period.
Ramey, a 6-5 shooting guard, was recently ranked as a Top 25 Shooter in the country for the class of 2012 by ESPN.com after leading the state in three-point shooting as a junior, connecting on 52.4 percent (66-of-126) ... He averaged 19.5 points per game as a junior to earn First Team All-Conference honors.
Calhoun, a 6-6 forward, earned First Team All-Northern Indiana Conference honors last season after averaging 18.0 points and 9.1 rebounds per game ... He has led the Panthers to a 46-22 record during his first three seasons, including a 12-7 mark last season.
Posley, a 6-1 guard Illinois High School Association All-State honors as a junior as he averaged 19.4 points per game and 4.5 assists per contest ... He also picked up All-Northern Illinois Conference and All-Area accolades last season.
Thok, a 7-0 center, is a native of Bor, Sudan ... He averaged 8.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game as a junior while shooting 54.3 percent from the field and 67.6 percent from the free throw line.
Jones Collects MAC Honor . . .
Senior forward Jarrod Jones has been named the Mid-American Conference Player of the Week two times this season ... Jones picked up his first honor Nov. 14 after he tied his career-high with 25 points against No. 16 Arizona while also grabbing nine rebounds ... He connected on 11-of-15 (73.3%) against the nationally ranked Wildcats, including hitting 3-of-3 from three-point land.
Jones picked up his second honor Dec. 12 after leading the Cardinals to wins over SIU Edwardsville and two-time NCAA Tournament finalist Butler to run their winning streak to six straight games ... He averaged 21.5 points and 11.0 rebounds in the two victories while shooting 54.2 percent (13-of-24) from the field and 88.9 percent (16-of-18) from the free throw line ... He scored a team-high 21 points against Butler, including the game-winning basket with 47.2 seconds left to give the Cardinals their first win over Butler since 2003 ... He opened the week by recording his third double-double of the season with 22 points and a season-high 13 rebounds at SIUE.
Cardinals Tabbed Second . . .
Ball State has been picked to finish second in the Mid-American Conference West Division preseason poll as selected by the MAC News Media Association ... 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).
Captains Earn MAC Honors . . .
Ball State senior captains Jarrod Jones and Randy Davis were named to the preseason All-Mid-American Conference West Division teams last week ... The two Cardinals were joined by Western Michigan's Flenard Whitfield and Demetrius Ward along with Central Michigan's Trey Zeigler on the West Division squad.
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).
Summer Trip To Canada . . .
Ball State took a nine-day foreign trip to Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada this past August ... The Cardinals posted a 4-0 record on the trip as they picked up wins over Quest University, Trinity Western University, Victoria Select and Vancouver Island University.
The Cardinals averaged 101.8 points per game in the four-game trip as they won by an average margin of 31.5 points per game ... Ball State posted 22.5 assists per game while shooting 49.6 percent from the field as a team.
Nine different Cardinals averaged at least six points per game on the trip ... Junior guard Jauwan Scaife led the team in scoring at 19.5 points per game while hitting 53.3 percent (16-of-30) from long range ... Sophomore Chris Bond added 15.3 points, 7.3 rebounds. 4.0 assists and 3.25 steals per game ... Senior forward Jarrod Jones chipped in 15.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game while senior Randy Davis added 9.5 points and 7.0 assists per game.
Looking Ahead . . .
The Cardinals will wrap-up pre-conference play Wednesday, January 4 as they host Florida A&M ... Ball State begins Mid-American Conference play January 7 as it hosts Western Michigan.
