Wednesday, March 12th, 12:30 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Quicken Loans Arena (20,562) -- Cleveland, Ohio. Television: None. Home Record: BSU 5-10, EMU 10-4. Away Record: BSU 1-13, EMU 3-11. Neutral Record: BSU 0-0, EMU 0-1. Conference Record: BSU 5-11, EMU 8-8. Series Record: Ball State leads, 50-32.

GAME NOTES: Opening round action of the Mid-American Conference Tournament begins this afternoon, as the seventh-seeded Eastern Michigan Eagles collide with the 10th-seeded Ball State Cardinals at the Quicken Loans Arena. It was an embarrassing season for Ball State, as the team finished with a 6-23 overall record. Five of those six victories did come against league foes, but the team still suffered 11 losses in MAC play. As for the Eagles, they closed out their regular season with three wins in their last four games, pushing their league mark to an even 8-8 on the year. EMU is hoping to continue its strong play in the MAC tourney, as the team will push for its first league title since 1998. After falling to Ball State earlier in the season, the Eagles grabbed a solid 75-64 victory over the Cardinals on the first day of March. However, even with the win, EMU still trails Ball State by a large, 50-32 margin in the all-time series.

The Cardinals have struggled offensively throughout the season, as the team ranks last in the MAC with just 57.9 ppg. Ball State is shooting only 40.1 percent from the field, and is also posting an equally poor 30.0 percent clip from long range. Anthony Newell has been one of the few bright spots for Ball State this season, as the forward is pacing the team with 16.9 ppg and 8.1 rpg. Peyton Stovall is the only other player netting double figures for the Cardinals and comes into this matchup with 13.5 ppg and 6.1 rpg. The poor play offensively overshadows the Cardinals' efforts defensively, as the squad has limited the opposition to just 64.1 ppg.

The Eagles have been slightly better at the offensive end of the floor, thanks in large part to the tandem of Carlos Medlock and Jarred Axon. Medlock is only shooting 39.4 percent from the floor, but the guard has been the best all- around player for EMU, averaging 14.9 ppg to go along with 3.2 rpg and a team- best 4.2 apg. As for Axon, he is also shooting below 40.0 percent, but is still chipping in 10.1 ppg. Justin Dobbins and Jesse Bunkley are also contributing 9.8 ppg apiece for EMU, which is producing a mere 66.7 ppg as a team. At the other end of the court, teams are shooting 44.9 percent against EMU, but are scoring just 68.0 ppg.

Neither team was very impressive during the season, especially at the offensive end of the court. Ball State's tandem of Newell and Stovall is slightly better than EMU's duo of Medlock and Axon. However, the Eagles possess more of a supporting cast, giving them the edge in this matchup.

Predicted Outcome

Eastern Michigan 66, Ball State 62