OUTLOOK First round: Lost to UCLA, 65-57
A talented albeit undersized backcourt and a frontcourt strong on defense gives Ball State a chance against just about anyone. Duane Clemens has enough of a scoring streak to scare anyone, but you can force him into bad shot selection.
Theron Smith, the MAC's freshman of the year, puts up good scoring and rebounding numbers.
The real test will be to see if the wars in the Mid-American conference got this team battle-ready for the NCAA Tournament, where defense is key. -- Greg Collins, ESPN.com
ROSTER
PROBABLE STARTERS |
F -- Josh Murray (6-7, So., 7.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.1 apg)
F -- Theron Smith (6-8, Fr., 12.4, 7.7, 1.5)
C -- Lonnie Jones (6-11, So., 7.7, 6.2, 0.5)
G -- Duane Clemens (6-0, Sr., 18.8, 3.1, 2.9)
G -- Mickey Hosier (5-11, Sr., 5.8, 2.5, 3.5)
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TOP RESERVES |
G -- Cedric Moodie (6-1, Jr., 10.0, 2.6, 1.9)
G -- Patrick Jackson (5-10, So., 7.5, 1.6, 2.0)
G -- Shane Franks (5-11, Sr., 2.0, 0.3, 0.2)
C -- Brian Burns (6-8, Jr., 1.6, 2.0, 0.4)
F -- Corey Harris (6-8, So., 1.3, 1.2, 0.2)
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NOTABLE
Seed, Region and Bid: 11, Midwest, Automatic
Total NCAA Tournament Bids: 7
NCAA Tournament Record: 3-6 (.333)
Final Four Appearances: 0
NCAA Tournament Championships: 0
Best NCAA Tournament Finish: Regional semifinals (1990)
Final ESPN/USA Today ranking: NR
Final Asscoiated Press ranking: NR
Final Ratings Percentage Index: 44
Final Sagarin Computer Ranking: 38
RECORD VS. RANKED TEAMS (1-0)
Dec. 18 -- Beat No. 21 Purdue, 72-52
(Opponents ranking reflects ranking on game day)
TOURNAMENT HISTORY Overall Record: 3-6 (.333)
1995--Twelfth seed in Southeast Region
Lost to Arizona State in first round, 81-66
1993--Fifteenth seed in Midwest Region
Lost to Kansas in first round, 94-72
1990--Twelfth seed in West Region
Defeated Oregon State in first round, 54-53
Defeated Louisville in second round, 62-60
Lost to UNLV in regional semifinal, 69-67
1989--Ninth seed in Midwest Region
Defeated Pittsburgh in first round, 68-64
Lost to Illinois in second round, 72-60
1986--Fourteenth seed in Southeast Region
Lost to Memphis in first round, 95-63
1981--Twelfth seed in Mideast Region
Lost to Boston College in first round, 93-90
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