Ball State University
Eastern Michigan
WBB Begins Quest For MAC Tourney Title Wednesday In Cleveland
March 09, 2020 | Women's Basketball
The Cardinals enter the MAC Tourney as the No. 2 seed and will play No. 7 EMU at approximately 5 p.m. ET
No. 2 Ball State (21-9) vs. No. 7 Eastern Michigan (15-15)
Cleveland, Ohio (Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse)
Watch: ESPN+ |  Listen | Live Stats
Game Notes: Mid-American Conference Post Season Guide | 2020 MAC Tournament Bracket
MAC Tourney Info:Â MAC Tournament Central Page
The MAC announced Tuesday evening a decision to enact a restricted attendance policy for the tournament in consultation and guidance with local governmental and public health and medical officials to limit large gatherings due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Only credentialed institutional personnel, student-athlete family members, credentialed media, television and radio crews, and official team party members will be permitted for attendance for the tournaments. The tournament will be closed to the general public.
Opening Tip:
- Ball State will play the winner of Monday night's Eastern Michigan vs. Northern Illinois game on Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament in Cleveland, Ohio at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
- The Cardinals have been the No. 2 seed at the MAC Tournament three times in eight seasons under head coach Brady Sallee - 2017, 2015, and 2013. In 2017, Ball State fell to No. 7 Buffalo in the quarterfinals, 69-65. The Cardis received a double-bye in 2015 but lost in the semifinals to Eastern Michigan, 75-65. The same occured in 2013 when, No. 3 Akron won, 70-61.
- The No. 2 seed hasn't always been bad luck for the Cardinals. In 2009 Ball State was the second seed and knocked off Miami (76-51) in the quarterfinals, Buffalo (68-54) in the semifinals and Bowling Green (55-51) in the championship game. That was the first time, and thus far only time, Ball State has won the MAC Tourney.
- Ball State is the only Mid-American Conference school to have both its men's and women's basketball teams earn a first round bye in the Mid-American Conference Tournament this year. The Ball State men enter the tournament as the No. 3 seed and will play its quarterfinal game on Thursday.
- Ball State ended its 2019-20 regular season campaign with a 64-63 overtime win at Western Michigan on March 7. Junior forward Oshlynn Brown led the Cardinals with her 15th double-double of the season with 17 points and 15 rebounds.
MAC Tourney Time:
This marks the 30th appearance for the Cardinals in the Mid-American Conference Tournament in program history. Ball State has advanced to Cleveland 18 out of the past 20 seasons. The Cardinals are 20-28 all-time in MAC Tournament play and have advanced to the MAC Tournament finals on five occasions. Ball State defeated Bowling Green in 2009 in the MAC Tournament Championship game. This is the sixth time in current head coach Brady Sallee's tenure the Cardinals have punched their ticket straight to the MAC Tournament in Cleveland. Prior to that, Ball State had not received a bye in the MAC Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse since 2009, when the Cardinals won the event as the No. 2 seed. Ironically, Ball State will enter this year's tournament as the No. 2 seed as well.
We Showed Them:
The Ball State women's basketball team was picked to finish fifth in the Mid-American Conference West Division preseason polls. But the Cardinals made a loud statement by winning 10 more games than they had last season, locking up the No. 2 spot in the overall MAC standings. The Cardinals' turnaround from last season to this one is tied for second best in the MAC record books. The 10+ wins in a season has happened five times:
Best MAC Turnarounds
Ohio +12 in 2014-15 (4 to 16)
Ball State +10 in 2019-20 (3 to 13)
Kent +10 in 2016-17 (3 to 13)
Ohio +10 in 1985-86 (6 to 16)
Toledo +10 in 1982-83 (3 to 13)
MAC Tourney Tidbits:
In the 30 years of the tournament, the top seed has won the title 21 times. In 2016, the Buffalo Bulls became the lowest seed (#8) to ever advance to the tournament championship game and the highest seed to ever win the title. The No. 1 and No. 2 seeds have met 15 times in the championship game, with the top seed winning 13 times.
Last MAC Tourney Meeting:
- Eastern Michigan 67, Ball State 53 (2016 MAC Quarterfinals)
- Ball State 61, Northern Illinois 47Â (2014 MAC Second Round)
13 Wins:
Ball State has won at least 13 Mid-American Conference games five time in eight years under head coach Brady Sallee. The Cards went 13-5 in 2014-15, 2015-16, 2017-18 and 2019-20. In 2016-17, Ball State finished league play with a 14-4 ledger.
March On:
Eighth-year head coach Brady Sallee owns a 20-18 record in the month of March with his best season being in 2013-14 when the Cardinals went 7-2. That year, the Cardinals were the No. 5 seed at the MAC Tournament and won seven of their final eight games en route to advancing to the 2014 MAC Tournament championship game for the first time since winning it all in 2009. In the semifinals, Ball State scored a thrilling 73-55 win over 25th-ranked Bowling Green. The Cardinals then lost to No. 3 Akron 79-68 in the title game.
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