Ball State University Athletics
Practice Underway for 2014-15 Men?s Basketball
October 03, 2014 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Ball State men's basketball team took the court Friday afternoon for the first official day of practice at Worthen Arena.
Starting with last season, the NCAA allows teams to begin practice six weeks before their first game. The Cardinals, in their second year under coach James Whitford, open the season Nov. 14 at Utah and play their home opener three days later.
Ball State will feature a vastly different look in 2014-15, following the departure of five seniors and an infusion of young talent.
“One of the things that hits me is we have so many new guys and it's a lot of teaching,” Whitford said. “It's my second year, but there's a lot of first year to it because there are so many new guys. With that said, I love our talent level, I love our attitudes, I love our work ethic, and we'll grow together and get better as the year goes on.”
The Cardinals welcome five freshmen to the roster, including Indiana All-Stars Jeremie Tyler from Indianapolis Arsenal Tech and Sean Sellers from Greensburg. Scout.com recruiting analyst Brian Snow called the group of newcomers "one of the best mid-major recruiting classes in the country."
Ball State also brought in a pair of veterans in junior college All-American Bik Gill and Youngstown State transfer Ryan Weber, who will practice this season while he sits out his first year with the Cardinals.
Muncie native Jeremiah Davis was in Weber's shoes last spring after joining the program as a mid-year transfer from Cincinnati. He practiced with the team throughout the second semester and will now provide a veteran presence in the Ball State backcourt.
In the frontcourt, the Cardinals are excited to welcome the return of fifth-year senior Matt Kamieniecki, who missed the entire 2013-14 season to injury. The most experienced player on the Ball State roster, Kamieniecki played in 74 games over his first three seasons.
Add to that crew a group of returning players that includes last season's MAC Freshman of the Year in point guard Zavier Turner and the league's leading freshman rebounder in Franko House, and there is optimism surrounding the start of the season in Muncie.
“Guys have really invested in their games, and this is our opportunity to come out and show our progress,” Whitford said. “Our players want to see the fruits of their labor; I want to see the fruits of their labor. This is the most exciting time of the year in college basketball.”
While Friday was the first official day of practice, the Cardinals have been working on skill development since the summer. Recent NCAA rules changes have allowed for more contact among teams during the offseason. Still, the beginning of practice signals the season is right around the corner, and the next six weeks will be vital as the new-look Cardinals gel together before their opening trip out West.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State men's basketball, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateMBB and @coachjwhit on Twitter.
