Ball State University Athletics
Jesse Berry Tabbed Preseason All-MAC West
October 30, 2012 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Ball State junior guard Jesse Berry was selected to the Mid-American Conference Preseason All-West Division Team as announced Tuesday by the league office.
Five players from each division were selected for preseason honors based on votes by a 24-member MAC News Media Panel.
Berry is the top returning scorer for Ball State after averaging 9.7 points per game last season as a sophomore. The Lafayette, Ind., product connected on a team-high 50 3-pointers while shooting 35.7 percent from long range.
Berry scored in double figures 17 times last season, including a career-high 25 points at SIU Edwardsville. He and Ball State senior guard Jauwan Scaife will provide the Cardinals with a veteran backcourt for the upcoming 2012-13 season.
Joining Berry on the MAC West preseason team are Abdel Nader (Northern Illinois), Rian Pearson (Toledo), Julius Brown (Toledo) and Nate Hutcheson (Western Michigan). Preseason East Division selections were Zeke Marshall (Akron), A'uston Calhoun (Bowling Green), Javon McCrea (Buffalo), Walter Offutt (Ohio) and D.J. Cooper (Ohio).
The MAC office also announced its preseason poll Tuesday. Selected by the same media panel, Ball State was picked to finish fourth in the West Division. Toledo was picked to win the West, while Ohio was tabbed as the favorite to win the East. The Bobcats, coming off their Sweet 16 run a season ago, were also selected as the favorite to win the MAC Tournament.
Ball State gets its season underway Nov. 11, with a 2 p.m. tipoff against Grambling at Worthen Arena. Fans will have a chance to meet the Cardinals men's and women's teams Thursday with the 2012 Basketball Fan Jam. The free event starts at 6:30 p.m. at Worthen Arena.
West Division Preseason All-MAC
Jesse Berry, Ball State
Abdel Nader, Northern Illinois
Rian Pearson, Toledo
Julius Brown, Toledo
Nate Hutcheson, Western Michigan
East Division Preseason All-MAC
Zeke Marshall, Akron
A'uston Calhoun, Bowling Green
Javon McCrea, Buffalo
Walter Offutt, Ohio
D.J. Cooper, Ohio
West Division Predicted Order of Finish
1. Toledo - 143 Votes (20 first place votes)
2. Eastern Michigan - 118 Votes (4)
3. Western Michigan - 88 Votes
4. Ball State - 74 Votes
5. Northern Illinois - 46 Votes
6. Central Michigan - 35 Votes
East Division Predicted Order of Finish
1. Ohio - 141 Votes (19 first place votes)
2. Akron - 122 Votes (5)
3. Kent State - 89 Votes
4. Buffalo - 68 Votes
5. Bowling Green - 53 Votes
6. Miami - 31 Votes
FirstEnergy MAC Men's Basketball Tournament Winner: Ohio (18), Akron (6)
