Ball State University Athletics
First Practice in the Books for Men's Hoops Team
October 13, 2012 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Ball State men's basketball team held its first practice of the 2012-13 season Friday with a late-night session at Worthen Arena.
After weeks of individual and group workouts, Friday was the first day allowed by the NCAA for full team practices. It gave Ball State sixth-year head coach Billy Taylor an opportunity to see his entire roster in action for the first time.
This year's version of the Cardinals features six veteran players, including senior Jauwan Scaife and junior Jesse Berry in the backcourt.
Berry is the team's leading returning scorer after averaging 9.7 points per game last season, while Scaife has had a productive three years at Ball State. The Muncie native is within 200 points of reaching 1,000 for his career, and he already ranks eighth in school history with 133 career 3-pointers.
Forwards Chris Bond, Tyler Koch and Matt Kamieniecki are all back for their junior seasons after combining to start 60 games a year ago, and senior big man Zach Fields returns in the paint.
That group will look to mesh with the Cardinals' crew of newcomers that includes a large freshman class and junior college transfer Majok Majok.
Ball State will take on a different look this year following the departure of Jarrod Jones, one of the program's all-time leading scorers, and Randy Davis, one of the school's top all-time assist men.
The Cardinals are building toward their Nov. 11 opener against Grambling in Muncie. Ball State will play six of its first eight games at home in the season's opening month, and there are 16 total home games on the regular-season schedule.
Season tickets are available online at ballstatesports.com/tickets or by calling 1-888-BSU-TICKET.
