Ball State University Athletics
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Men’s Hoops Picked Second in MAC West, House Honored
October 28, 2016 | Men's Basketball
Cardinals receive 12 first-place votes in league’s preseason poll
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Franko House was a preseason all-league pick, and the Ball State men's basketball team was tabbed to finish second in its division in the Mid-American Conference preseason poll released Friday.
Ball State was picked second in the MAC West behind Eastern Michigan. The Cardinals received 12 first-place votes, while the Eagles had 16. The voting panel included the league's 12 head coaches and 24 MAC media members.
House, who was an All-MAC Second Team selection last year, was tabbed as one of the top five players in the West Division. The others were James Thompson of Eastern Michigan, Marin Maric of Northern Illinois, Jonathan Williams of Toledo and Thomas Wilder of Western Michigan.
House led the Cardinals at 12.1 points per game last year and also added 5.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. The Elkhart, Indiana, native enters his senior season as one of only four players in school history with at least 900 points, 500 rebounds and 175 assists. The others are Bonzi Wells (1994-98), Derrick Wesley (1984-88) and Chandler Thompson (1989-92).
Ball State shared the MAC West Division championship with Central Michigan a year ago, finishing 10-8 in league play. With a 21-14 overall record, the Cardinals marked the fourth-largest improvement of any team in the country last year. Ball State reached the quarterfinals of the CIT in its first postseason appearance in 14 years.
The Cardinals return four starters and six of their top eight scorers from that team as they enter James Whitford's fourth year as head coach. The team will host UIndy for an exhibition game Thursday, Nov. 3 and will open the regular season Nov. 11 at Saint Louis.
2016-17 MAC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
East Division Predicted Order of Finish
1. Akron (15 first place votes) – 194 points
2. Ohio (16) – 190 points
3. Buffalo (5) – 144 points
4. Kent State – 116 points
5. Bowling Green – 63 points
6. Miami – 49 points
West Division Predicted Order of Finish
1. Eastern Michigan (16 first place votes) – 178 points
2. Ball State (12) – 158 points
3. NIU (5) – 148 points
4. Toledo (1) – 100 points
5. Western Michigan – 95 points
6. Central Michigan (2) – 77 points
2017 MAC Tournament Predicted Champion: Akron (15), Ohio (11), Eastern Michigan (3), Buffalo (2), NIU (2), Central Michigan (1), Kent State (1), Miami (1).
Preseason All-MAC East Division Team
Isaiah Johnson, Sr., C, Akron
Blake Hamilton, Sr., W, Buffalo
Jimmy Hall, Sr., F, Kent State
Antonio Campbell, Sr., F, Ohio
Jaaron Simmons, Jr., G, Ohio
Preseason All-MAC West Division Team
Franko House, Sr., F, Ball State
James Thompson IV, So., C, Eastern Michigan
Marin Maric, Sr., C, Northern Illinois
Jonathan Williams, Sr., G, Toledo
Thomas Wilder, Jr., G, Western Michigan
Ball State was picked second in the MAC West behind Eastern Michigan. The Cardinals received 12 first-place votes, while the Eagles had 16. The voting panel included the league's 12 head coaches and 24 MAC media members.
House, who was an All-MAC Second Team selection last year, was tabbed as one of the top five players in the West Division. The others were James Thompson of Eastern Michigan, Marin Maric of Northern Illinois, Jonathan Williams of Toledo and Thomas Wilder of Western Michigan.
House led the Cardinals at 12.1 points per game last year and also added 5.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. The Elkhart, Indiana, native enters his senior season as one of only four players in school history with at least 900 points, 500 rebounds and 175 assists. The others are Bonzi Wells (1994-98), Derrick Wesley (1984-88) and Chandler Thompson (1989-92).
Ball State shared the MAC West Division championship with Central Michigan a year ago, finishing 10-8 in league play. With a 21-14 overall record, the Cardinals marked the fourth-largest improvement of any team in the country last year. Ball State reached the quarterfinals of the CIT in its first postseason appearance in 14 years.
The Cardinals return four starters and six of their top eight scorers from that team as they enter James Whitford's fourth year as head coach. The team will host UIndy for an exhibition game Thursday, Nov. 3 and will open the regular season Nov. 11 at Saint Louis.
2016-17 MAC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
East Division Predicted Order of Finish
1. Akron (15 first place votes) – 194 points
2. Ohio (16) – 190 points
3. Buffalo (5) – 144 points
4. Kent State – 116 points
5. Bowling Green – 63 points
6. Miami – 49 points
West Division Predicted Order of Finish
1. Eastern Michigan (16 first place votes) – 178 points
2. Ball State (12) – 158 points
3. NIU (5) – 148 points
4. Toledo (1) – 100 points
5. Western Michigan – 95 points
6. Central Michigan (2) – 77 points
2017 MAC Tournament Predicted Champion: Akron (15), Ohio (11), Eastern Michigan (3), Buffalo (2), NIU (2), Central Michigan (1), Kent State (1), Miami (1).
Preseason All-MAC East Division Team
Isaiah Johnson, Sr., C, Akron
Blake Hamilton, Sr., W, Buffalo
Jimmy Hall, Sr., F, Kent State
Antonio Campbell, Sr., F, Ohio
Jaaron Simmons, Jr., G, Ohio
Preseason All-MAC West Division Team
Franko House, Sr., F, Ball State
James Thompson IV, So., C, Eastern Michigan
Marin Maric, Sr., C, Northern Illinois
Jonathan Williams, Sr., G, Toledo
Thomas Wilder, Jr., G, Western Michigan
Players Mentioned
F
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