Majok Majok, the name is synonymous with the double double.
Majok joins fellow Cardinals Chris Bond and Jesse Berry on our countdown. Berry, Bond, and Majok enter a new era in Ball State hoops, the first season for head Coach James Whitford. A season ago the Cardinals wrapped up a second consecutive 15-15 season, enough to show coach Billy Taylor the door. This year Whitford will have to compensate for the loss of leading scorer Jauwan Scaife, but will have plenty of senior leadership to work with. Any measure of success the Cardinals will have in 2013-2014 rests squarely on the shoulders of Ball State's front court double double machine, Majok.
Last season the Perth, Australia product was named third team All-MAC, For the season Majok averaged 10.7 points per game, good for third on team and 21st in the conference. Where Majok really shined was on the glass. Majok averaged 9.8 boards a game, tops in the MAC, and a full rebound in front of the second leading rebounder. Majok was beastly on the offensive glass as well, pulling down 3.5 a game. Four times last season Majok ripped down more than 15 boards, including 17 twice. Success underneath will be key for the Cardinals this season, last year Ball State finished third in the conference in rebounding. Majok will be expected to pull down double digit boards on a nightly basis.
With the departure of Scaife there is an air of uncertainty in the Cardinals back court this season. Obviously with a new head coach, Ball State will be looking to head in a considerably different direction than in the years under Billy Taylor. If the Cardinals are to compete in the MAC West this year, Majok will be the most important asset on the team. The 6'9" 220 pound Majok and 6'8 220 Matt Kamieniecki will be the centerpieces of a Ball State offense aimed at winning games with physicality, tough defense, and cleaning up the glass.
Majok was selected as first team all MAC West in the preseason, and with good reason. There may be no player in the conference this year more capable of putting up a double double on a nightly basis. MAC West battles between Majok and Western Michigan's Shayne Whittington will be must see TV this season for MAC fans. Ball State has the talent to succeed in the MAC West this year, but it all starts with Majok. The best name in the conference, number five on our list.