Saturday, November 29th, 2:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Worthen Arena (11,500) -- Muncie, Indiana. Television: None. Home Record: ASU 2-0, BSU 2-0. Away Record: ASU 1-1, BSU 1-1. Neutral Record: ASU 0-0, BSU 0-0. Conference Record: ASU 0-0, BSU 0-0. Series Record: Arkansas State leads, 1-0.

GAME NOTES: Last year Arkansas State defeated Ball State in the first-ever meeting between the two schools, but the Cardinals will look for revenge today when they host the Red Wolves at Worthen Arena. Since opening the season with a loss to Ole Miss, the Red Wolves have caught fire, winning three consecutive games. The last time Arkansas State was on the floor the team collected a 76-67 win over UT-Martin. The Red Wolves will remain on the road for their next matchup when they travel to Terre Haute to battle Indiana State. Just like their opponent, the Cardinals have won three of their first four games, including two in a row. The last time Ball State was on the court the team grabbed a solid, 82-69 victory over Wisconsin-Milwaukee on the road. The lone setback thus far for the Cardinals was a 64-55 loss to Butler away from home.

The quick start for ASU can be attributed to the team's tenacious defensive effort, as the Red Wolves are limiting the opposition to just 56.2 ppg, and 35.7 percent shooting from the floor. Unfortunately the production at the offensive end of the court has not been much to brag about, as Arkansas State is netting a mere 67.8 ppg. Shawn Morgan has been the top performer thus far for ASU, netting 11.3 ppg to go along with 5.8 rpg. Donald Boone is the only other player contributing double figures, chipping in 10.3 ppg. The last time ASU was on the floor, the Red Wolves limited UT-Martin to just 36.7 percent shooting from the field en route to a 76-67 victory. At the offensive end, the Red Wolves shot 52.2 percent from the field, and that included an 8-of-15 showing from long range. Mike Lance and Ifeanyi Koggu both scored 13 points apiece, while JeJuan Brown added 11 points to go along with five rebounds. Brandon Ayers only played 15 minutes in the contest, but still posted 12 points.

The dangerous duo of Jarrod Jones and Anthony Newell have been the main reason for the Cardinals' high flying start. Jones is currently leading the team with 18.0 ppg, while Newel is averaging a double-double of 16.3 ppg and 10.5 rpg. Overall, Ball State enters this matchup posting a pedestrian 69.0 ppg, but the team is shooting a commendable 46.0 percent from the field. The last time the Cardinals were on the court the team grabbed a solid win over Wisconsin- Milwaukee. Ball State shot 57.7 percent from the field and also connected on 18-of-24 attempts from the charity stripe. Jones and Newell were at it again for BSU, as Jones tallied 18 points, while Newell posted another double- double, this time scoring 14 points to go along with 12 rebounds. However, the tandem received help from Brandon Lampley, who tallied 15 points to go along with six rebounds and five assists.

The Red Wolves have been outstanding defensively, but the Cardinals' frontcourt duo of Newell and Jones should prove too strong for Arkansas State.

Predicted Outcome

Ball State 72, Arkansas State 65