Arguably (along with OHIO) the most storied program in MAC history, with 7 NCAA tourneys & 7 league championships in the 90’s & early 2000's, the Cardinals are seeking to return to their former dominance. What they hope will be a new era started this year with the hiring of high school coach legend Steve Shondell, who in 34 seasons at Burris Lab School in Muncie had an incredible .926 winning percentage, winning 21 state championships in the process.

 

The Cardinals are off to a solid start with an experienced team, holding a 14-4 record, 3-2 in the MAC. Mutual opponents with OHIO include a 3-1 loss to North Carolina (OHIO lost 3-0), a 3-2 win against Central (OHIO also wins 3-2) and a 3-2 loss at Buffalo (OHIO wins 3-0),

 

Ball State broke their attendance record earlier this year, suggesting they should get a large crowd Friday night.

 

 

The Mud Hens- (sorry, wrong sport, just love that name)- the Rockets are 6-12, 1-5 in the MAC. They just ended a 9 game losing streak by besting Akron 3-2 on the road, a team that beat OHIO 3-2 at the Convo. But they were shutout by Central, a team OHIO beat on the road, which only shows how mutual opponent scores don’t always tell the story.

 
It will be interesting to see how OHIO performs on their 2^nd straight weekend of away games.  The MAC is up and coming but I still believe the Cat’s A game is the winning ticket.

 

Time for OHIO to make a statement!.