Ball State University Athletics
MBB Hosts Chicago State for New Year?s Eve Matinee
December 30, 2015 | Men's Basketball
Game 13
Ball State (8-4) vs. Chicago State (4-11)
Thursday, Dec. 31 (2 p.m.)
Muncie, Ind. (Worthen Arena)
Watch (ESPN3) | Listen (WLBC)
A Look at the Cardinals
• Ball State will close the non-conference portion of its schedule Thursday at home against Chicago State. It's a quick turnaround for the Cardinals, who are coming off a come-from-behind 63-62 victory Tuesday night against Alabama A&M. When Thursday's game tips off at 2 p.m., it will have been roughly 41 hours since the previous contest concluded.
• Ball State is seeking its ninth win prior to the start of Mid-American Conference play, which would match its second most ever and the most in 23 years. The 1988-89 team won 10 games before the start of MAC play. The 1990-91, 1991-92 and 1992-93 squads each entered league play with nine wins.
• At 8-4 so far this season, the Cardinals are off to their best start through 12 games since the 2011-12 team started 8-4.
• Ball State checks in at No. 196 in the latest Ken Pomeroy rankings. The Cardinals have been as high as No. 156 this season, marking their best ranking since January 2012.
• Ball State ranks third in the MAC and 37th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 63.6 points per game. The Cardinals have surrendered 70 points in a game only three times all season.
• Senior forward Franko House has reached double-figure scoring in 10 of Ball State's 12 games and 21 of the past 24 dating back to last season. House, senior forward Bo Calhoun and junior forward Ryan Weber have each surpassed the 500-point mark for their careers this season.
Dildy Returns to Muncie
• Chicago State head coach Tracy Dildy spent three seasons at Ball State from 1994-97, serving as an assistant coach under Ray McCallum.
• He helped the Cardinals to the MAC Tournament championship and a berth in the NCAA tournament in 1995.
• Dildy is now in his sixth season guiding the Chicago State program.
Home Court Advantage
• Ball State is 6-1 at home this season, and the Cardinals are outscoring their opponents 69.3-60.0 on average inside Worthen Arena.
• Ball State is 774-351 (.688) all-time on its home floor and 242-108 (.691) inside Worthen Arena.
• In 23 full seasons in Worthen, the Cardinals have posted at least 10 home wins 15 times. They have not reached the 10-win mark at home since 2011-12.
