The University at Buffalo Bulls look to win their 5th straight game when the host the Ball State Cardinals on Wednesday night at Alumni Arena. Buffalo is 5-2 so far in conference play this year while the Cardinals find themselves towards the middle of the pack at 4-3. Ball State is coming off of back to back losses against the MAC East powers Ohio and Akron. They seem to always find themselves towards the top of the MAC West, but anyone who knows MAC basketball knows that the best team in the west would barely be in the top 4 of the east, and its showing so far. They are led by their do-it-all forward Jarod Jones who averages close to 17 and 9 per game. Slowing him down is the key for the Bulls to come out on top.
Buffalo has looked impressive lately, winning 4 in the row against mixed competition. Their ability to shoot the 3 pointer lately has been the key to their success, whether its the usual suspect Zach Filzen, or whether its the surrounding cast that seems to get more confident in their own shots every single game. The one constant for the Bulls this year has been their inside play from McCrazy and Swattzilla. Their combined 31.3 points per game is the highest in the MAC amount forward duo's, and their defense isn't bad either.
Unfortunately the Bulls haven't played well against Ball State in recent years, losing 6 regular season games in the row against the Cardinals (with the MACC semi-final game back in 2010 being their only win in recent memory). It may be just a bad match-up for the Bulls, or maybe just bad luck since Ball State always seems to be the inferior opponent. Regardless of the reason for the past results, winning this game is a must for the Bulls. Buffalo always seems to always lose a few games in the MAC standings when the crossover games come around every year. They may currently be tied for 2nd in the conference right now, but Kent State hasn't lost to a team in the MAC West in over 3 years, and Eastern Michigan gets to play the inferior division one more full time. I think we all expect the Bulls to win at home since they seem to never lose at Alumni Arena, but their history with the Ball State Cardinals makes us all realize that a complete game is needed for the Bulls to get to 6-2.