Ball State University Athletics
Men?s Hoops Hosts Buffalo on Social Media Night
February 03, 2015 | Men's Basketball
Ball State vs. Buffalo
Wednesday, Feb. 4; 7 p.m.
Worthen Arena (Muncie, Ind.)
Video: Ball State All-Access
Radio: 104.1 WLBC
Ball State will hold its first #ChirpChirp Social Media Night at Wednesday's game. Fans who interact with Ball State Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram leading up to and during the game will have chances to win prizes. Click here for complete information.
The Ball State men's basketball team may be 2-6 in Mid-American Conference play, but that doesn't mean the Cardinals haven't had their chances.
Ball State (7-12 overall) led for nearly 32 of the 40 minutes Saturday at Miami and held an advantage of as many as 13 points early in the second half before the RedHawks came from behind. And that wasn't the only time the Cardinals have held a second-half lead.
In fact, it has happened in four of Ball State's six conference losses. In those four games, including a double-overtime setback at Western Michigan, the Cardinals have led or been tied for more than 107 of a possible 170 minutes.
Now, it's a matter of getting over the hump. Ball State will look to reverse that trend Wednesday night when the MAC's highest-rated team visits Worthen Arena. Buffalo (14-6, 5-3 MAC) comes to Muncie at No. 41 in the latest NCAA RPI.
The Cardinals have some positive vibes against the Bulls, having upset Buffalo in Muncie last season. The teams split two meetings last year with the Bulls later winning on their home floor.
A year ago against Buffalo, Ball State had to contend in the paint with MAC Player of the Year and double-double machine Javon McCrea.
McCrea is gone this season, but the Bulls have filled his spot with another player of the year candidate in Justin Moss. Moss leads the MAC in both scoring (18.3 ppg) and rebounding (9.5 rpg). In the backcourt, Shannon Evans averages 14.9 points and 4.7 assists per game.
Buffalo is coming off key home wins last week against Western Michigan and Kent State. The Bulls hammered a Kent State team that was previously 6-1 in MAC play by an 80-55 final score. Now they head back on the road where they have lost their past three games.
Buffalo marks the sixth straight MAC East Division opponent for Ball State. The Cardinals hold a 15-11 advantage in the all-time series against the Bulls, including a 9-2 lead in games played in Muncie.
