THE MATCHUP
Western Michigan Broncos (6-13, 2-5 MAC)
at Ball State Cardinals (13-7, 4-3 MAC)
Jan. 28, 2017 • 1 p.m. • Worthen Arena (11,500)

Series Record: Series tied, 62-62
Last Meeting: 75-71 OT, Ball State (2/6/16), in Muncie, Ind.

BROADCAST INFORMATION
Radio • Bronco Radio Network – Robin Hook PBP (Pre-game show begins at 6:30 p.m. ET)
Stations • WZOX — 96.5 FM: (Flagship) Kalamazoo, Portage, Mattawan; WMAX — 96.1 FM: Holland, Muskegon; WMAX — 96.1 FM: WTKG 1230 AM: Grand Rapids
Watch Live: ESPN3
Talent: Connor Onion (PBP), Noah Reed (Color), Nick Tidrow (Sidelines)
Twitter Updates: @WMUMBB

THE TIP-OFF
Western Michigan looks to take down the Mid-American Conference West leader Ball State Saturday afternoon as the Cardinals and Broncos square off at Worthen Arena. Tip-off in Muncie, Ind., is set for 1:00 p.m. WMU has had one of the tougher schedules to open the MAC slate, playing four of its first six on the road. Ball State is the leader in the West Division with a 13-7 overall and a 4-3 MAC record.

SCOUTING WESTERN MICHIGAN
Western Michigan maintains a 6-13 record, with all six wins coming at home - vs. Marygrove (90-74), Central Arkansas (80-63), James Madison (74-67), Alabama A&M (80-50), Toledo (90-74) and Kent State (92-88).

> Junior point guard Thomas Wilder is averaging a team-best 17.6 ppg and 3.6 rpg while senior Tucker Haymond is averaging 13.7 ppg and 2.8 rpg. The two have 122 assists combined. Freshman guard Reggie Jones (9.0 ppg), junior center Drake LaMont (7.8) and freshman post Brandon Johnson (8.2), are all averaging over seven points per game. Johnson is the team's leading rebounder with 5.6 rpg and has three double-doubles this season.

> The Broncos are averaging 74.5 ppg this season and allowing 78.8 ppg defensively. WMU is shooting 44.6 percent from the field, 36.7 percent from three and 67.7 percent from the free-throw line.
 
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE CARDINALS
This will be the 125^th meeting between the Broncos and the Cardinals, with the series knotted up at 62 games apiece. WMU is 17-10 against Ball State under head coach Steve Hawkins.
 
LAST YEAR'S MEETING
The Broncos have dropped two straight to the Cardinals, despite winning the previous four meetings. Ball State took the victory against WMU in the first meeting last season, 74-64, at University Arena. In the second meeting, Ball State shot 15-of-23 from behind the arc, edging the Broncos in overtime, 75-71, in Muncie. Thomas Wilder finished with the game-high 23 points to go along with five rebounds. Drake LaMont added 13 points and five boards while Tucker Haymond totaled 11 points and seven rebounds.

SCOUTING BALL STATE
Ball State is led by fourth-year head coach James Whitford and is 13-7 overall and a 4-3 in the MAC . The Cardinals are coming off an 88-80 win over Eastern Michigan on the road while their offense features three players scoring in double-figures this season. Tayler Persons is Ball State's top producer with 15.3 ppg and has dished out a team-high 98 assists.

> The Cardinals are averaging 79.7 ppg this season and allowing 73.2 ppg defensively. Ball State is shooting 46.7 percent from the field, 37.0 percent from three and 71.9 percent from the free-throw line.
 
BRONCOS FACE OHIO ON ASN
The game between the Broncos and the Bobcats on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at University Arena is scheduled to air live on the American Sports Network (ASN) with a 6:00 p.m. tip-off.  
 
WMU AT CMU BUMPED TO FRIDAY
Originally slated for Saturday, Feb. 4 at 4:30 p.m., the game in Mount Pleasant between the two West Division rivals has been moved to Friday, Feb. 3 with a 6:30 p.m. tip-off. The game will air live on the CBS Sports Network (CBSSN).