I was in Muncie last night at the old alma mater, which actually has a basketball team this season and thus was worth the trip to Worthen Arena with my friend and former colleague Greg Jones, who graciously provided the tickets.
Alas, our Ball State Cardinals lost to Toledo, 67-61, on Senior Night. The Cards gave it a valiant try after going down 15 in the second half, but couldn't quite get all the way back. They're a good team that hasn't won 20 games by accident. Remember the name Peyton Sparks, their 6-9 sophomore in the pivot, who's sort of a Mid-American Conference version of Zion Williamson.
He finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds.
Unfortunately for Ball State, the best player in the conference, Toledo guard RayJ Dennis, went for 32. Threw in seven assists, three rebounds and a couple of steals for good measure.
Wait. Did I just use the word "good" again?
Well, if Ball State is good, Dennis and Toledo are ... ridiculously good. Last night's dub was their 15th row, most by double digits. They're quick, they can shoot, they give you fits with their length and ferociousness on the perimeter. Ball State was 5-of-20 from the 3-point line against them.
Toledo, meanwhile, was an absurd 10-of-15 from the arc. That's a tick shy of 67 percent if you're keeping track at home. And Ball State defended the Rockets pretty well their ownselves.
So what am I saying here?
I'm saying if Toledo plays like that in the Madness, they're gonna ruin somebody's day.
I'm saying RayJ Dennis is going to be a headache no matter who the Rockets play.
I'm saying if you're looking for bracket busters, remember them.
"Oh, there you go, getting all carried away again," you're saying now.
Maybe. Probably. However ...
Don't say I didn't warn you.
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