The Ball State men’s basketball team welcomes Akron for a match on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. Fans can catch the game on CBS Sports Network, as well as tune in to WMUN 92.5 FM / 1340 AM for the radio broadcast.
Ball State (8-18, 3-10 in the Mid-American Conference) tried to ignite a comeback during their last game, launching a 9-0 run in the second half against Ohio but ultimately lost, 69-57. Conversely, Akron (21-5, 12-1 in the MAC) is riding a momentum wave after beating Western Michigan 90-73, and they’ve recently triumphed over UMass, 99-92.
Akron is led by head coach John Groce, now in his ninth season. The Zips, picked to win the MAC regular season and tournament, boast impressive stats. They rank highly nationwide in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.78, 11th in NCAA Division I) and assists per game (19.1, 7th). They’re also a powerhouse with 3-pointers, averaging 10.9 made per game (14th).
Senior Tavari Johnson shines on the floor, leading the MAC in scoring with 20.3 points per game and contributing 5.2 assists. Another key player, Amani Lyles, averages 14.6 points and 7.3 rebounds.
The last few games between Ball State and Akron have been closely contested. The last six meetings had margins of no more than 10 points. Akron narrowly edged past Ball State in their last two games at Worthen Arena.
Looking ahead for the Cardinals, they will soon face UMass in what will be their first encounter since UMass joined the conference.
Devon Barnes has been stepping up, scoring 17 points against Ohio, showing a significant second-half performance. He’s now averaging 9.2 points per game this season. Meanwhile, freshman Preston Copeland displayed resilience with seven points and 10 rebounds against Ohio, marking his second double-figure rebounding game.
In a strategic twist, the game against Akron was moved from Saturday to Friday for TV coverage, making it the second broadcast game at Worthen Arena this season.
Speaking of milestones, Barnes recently joined the 1,000-point club, while teammate Juwan Maxey crossed the 500-point mark. Maxey is finding his rhythm, making multiple three-pointers in his last games, showing his ability to contribute significantly.
The Ball State bench has been pivotal, scoring over half the team’s points in recent matches. This depth is crucial as they attempt to maintain their standing in the conference.
Ball State has been getting creative with their scoring. They’ve had eight different leading scorers throughout the season, and only a few teams nationally can match that level of diversity.
Defensively, Ball State has shown strength. They won against Northern Illinois, only scoring 58 points—highlighting their ability to win through solid defense. This season, they lead the MAC in scoring defense, allowing only 70 points per game.
With a series of close games and strong individual performances, this matchup against Akron promises to be an exciting contest for fans. Both teams have much to play for as the season progresses.
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