Turn of the Tide
The University of South Dakota Coyotes men’s basketball team will be in Muncie, Ind. on Friday to take on the Ball State Cardinals, the first game of a two game series.
Following Friday’s game, the Coyotes will return to the DakotaDome to face Ball State in their next game Dec. 15.
Coming off a crippling loss to the University of Iowa Tuesday, a game at which the Coyotes once led 25-24, USD will be looking to regain their even record with a win Friday night.
The Coyotes (4-5) have faced stout competition so far this season, with their loses coming from Gonzaga, Southern, Wyoming and Western Illinois, who combine for a record of 23-8.
During a Coyotes game against Western Illinois on Nov. 29, the Coyotes exploded with 52 second half points against a Leathernecks team that only allowed 47 points per game. Although the Coyotes were ultimately defeated 71-73 on a buzzer beater by WIU guard Ceola Clark, the close loss displayed the Coyotes competitive resilience.
However, Ball State’s record may not be indicative of the team’s true potential. The Cardinals (2-4) went through a rigorous early season schedule, facing quality mid-major programs such as Indiana, Butler, Cleveland State and Indiana State during the start of the season.
That isn’t to say the Coyotes are overlooking the Cardinals. Assistant coach Chris Kassin said the team is very aware of Ball State’s deceptive nature.
“They are an team that has challenged themselves early,” said Kassin. “Overall, they are a very athletic team with good size. They’ve played some great teams so they will be ready for us. We’ll have to prepare for what they bring to us as an opponent.”
The Coyotes will look to match the Cardinals athleticism with the play of senior Juveol Myles and junior Karim Rowson, who combined, account for 28 of the team’s 74 average points per game.
As a basketball mid-major in the state of Indiana, Kassin said Ball State is a program used to winning.
“They come from a program with a lot of tradition. They’ve had a lot of success in the past so we’re going to be up against a big challenge,” said Kassin.
The Cardinals are lead by a two-pronged offensive attack in juniors Jesse Berry and Majok Majok. At the guard position, Berry is the team’s top scorer, averaging 14 points per game through the first six games. Majok is averaged close to a double-double, posting a line of 13.5 points per game, as well as nine rebounds.
For the Coyotes, Kassin said breaking down the Cardinal’s inside-outside combination would be crucial on the defensive end.
“It’s going to be very important to stop Berry and Majok,” Kassin said. “They’re very good players and we are going to have to keep the contained. Obviously the key will be to limit the amount of good looks they get and grab rebounds when we can.”
Myles and swingman Rowson will likely need to match the offensive production of Ball State’s wing players. In the paint, Rowson and center Trevor Guis will be tasked with the prospect of keeping the athletic Majok off the boards as much as possible.
