Ball State University Athletics
Men's Basketball Releases 2011-12 Schedule
August 19, 2011 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. - Ball State men's basketball fifth-year head coach Billy Taylor announced a 29-game schedule for the 2011-12 season Friday afternoon. The schedule includes 11 teams that played in the postseason last year, including five NCAA Tournament teams highlighted by Final Four participant Butler and Elite Eight member Arizona.
"We had a tremendous opportunity to take a foreign trip this year, which should help us significantly in preparation for our non-conference schedule," Taylor said. "We have some very exciting non-conference challenges on our schedule with a number of NCAA postseason participants. Our challenging non-conference schedule will help prepare us for the rigors of MAC play."
The Cardinals open the season Sunday, November 13 as they travel to PAC-12 power Arizona for their first-ever meeting against the Wildcats. Arizona, the defending PAC-12 champion, made a postseason run to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight with a 30-8 overall record and is returning 10 letterwinners. Arizona also finished 20th in the nation in attendance averaging 13,680 fans last year.
Ball State continues its season-opening road trip Nov. 18 as it travels to Terre Haute for the 126th meeting all-time between the Cardinals and NCAA Tournament participant Indiana State. Ball State has won two straight in the series, including a 68-63 victory last time in Terre Haute (12/9/09).
The Cardinals open the home portion of the schedule Nov. 23 as they host IUPUI in the first of a home-and-home season-series. The contest marks the first meeting between the instate foes since 2005 and just the seventh time the Cardinals and Jaguars have met. The Cardinals continue their home stand with contests against Calumet College (Nov. 27) and NIT participant Texas Southern.
After back-to-back road games at Tennessee-Martin (Dec. 3) and SIU-Edwardsville (Dec. 6), the Cardinals host two-time Final Four participant Butler Dec. 10 in the 103rd meeting all-time. Butler has won seven straight in the series, but the Cardinals own a 28-23 record all-time in Muncie.
"We are excited to continue our long-running series against Butler," Taylor said. "Our fans will be excited to host Butler at Worthen Arena this year."
The Cardinals post a return trip to IUPUI Dec. 19 before visiting Morehead State Dec. 23. Ball State wraps up non-conference play with a pair of home games against Chicago State (Dec 31) and Florida A&M (Jan. 4).
The Cardinals open the 16-game Mid-American Conference schedule at home Jan. 7 when they host divisional rival Western Michigan. Ball State will play at Toledo (Jan. 10), home against Eastern Michigan (Jan. 14), at Central Michigan (Jan. 18) and at Northern Illinois (Jan. 21) in its first run through the MAC West Division.
The Cardinals begin crossover play Jan. 24 as they host defending MAC Tournament champion Akron at Worthen Arena. Ball State will also host Miami (Feb. 4) and Bowling Green (Feb. 8) while travelling to Ohio (Jan. 28), Buffalo (Feb. 1) and 2011 MAC regular season champion Kent State (Feb. 11).
The second time through the MAC West Division will see the Cardinals travel to Western Michigan (Feb. 22) and Eastern Michigan (Feb. 25). Ball State will host Toledo (Feb. 15) and Central Michigan (Feb. 29) before closing out the regular season hosting Northern Illinois March 2 or 3. The game is part of the ESPN "Pick-Em" package which allows the final game to be chosen for television at a later date.
""We always look forward to the challenges of MAC play," Taylor said. "I anticipate the level of play in the MAC will be at its highest during our tenure at Ball State. There are a lot of experienced returning players in the MAC and every game will be a battle."
Additionally, the Cardinals will take part in the ESPNU BracketBusters game for the 10th straight season as they will play host Feb. 18. The 2012 Mid-American Conference Tournament will begin March 5 with first round contests at campus sites. The teams advancing past the first round will head to Cleveland, Ohio, March 7-10 for the conclusion of the MAC Tournament at Quicken Loans Arena.
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