Ball State University Athletics
Men?s Basketball Visits Akron for Purple Out
January 26, 2015 | Men's Basketball
Ball State at Akron
Tuesday, Jan. 24; 7 p.m.
James A. Rhodes Arena (Akron, Ohio)
Video: gozips.com
Radio: 104.1 WLBC
The Ball State men's basketball team visits Akron on Tuesday night for a “Purple Out” game that holds special meaning on both benches.
The second-annual event at Rhodes Arena will honor coach Dan Peters, who completed his career as a member of Akron's staff before succumbing to pancreatic cancer three months ago.
Peters was the father of Ball State assistant coach Danny Peters and a friend and mentor to Cardinals head coach James Whitford.
“He was my mentor, my father, my best friend and my hero. We talked three or four times a day,” Danny Peters said. “I know what he meant to the kids at Akron. I know what he meant to the staff because they've told me. His wisdom, his experience, his insight and his perspective were important to them. I know they miss him being around and they miss his excitement, his insight and his guidance as much as I do.”
There will be a game to be played, and Ball State will try to bounce back from a tough stretch against one of the top teams in the Mid-American Conference.
The Cardinals (7-10, 2-4 MAC) got off to a fast start in league play but have dropped their past four games. They are coming off a 63-52 setback to MAC leader Kent State. It was a game in which Matt Kamieniecki's absence forced the Cardinals into their ninth different starting lineup of the season.
Akron (13-6, 4-2 MAC) has been one of the conference's premier programs for a long time. The balanced Zips (no player averages double-figure scoring) have been especially effective at home this season with a 10-1 record inside Rhodes Arena.
Akron relies heavily on the 3-point shot, ranking 11th in the nation with 9.1 made 3's per game. Ball State has been good at defending the 3 for much of the season, although Western Michigan and Ohio both rode hot long-range performances to wins over the Cardinals.
Ball State will attempt to snap a long winning streak for Akron in the all-time series between the teams. The Zips have won the past 11 meetings, dating back to 2004.
Tuesday's game is the first of two on the road this week for Ball State. The Cardinals will play Saturday at Miami in a game that will be televised by the Ball State Sports Network.
