2016-17 MAC MBB Top 10: #10 Franko House, Ball State

Since arriving in Muncie 4 years ago, Franko House has been a solid contributor for the Cardinals. The team won 5 games his first year, 7 in his second. In his junior season, the team turned the corner, and won 21 games. He led the team in scoring, at 12.2 per clip, and was second in rebounding, bringing in 5.8 boards per game. That was good enough to earn him a spot on the All-MAC second team. A complete player, he was also named to the MAC All-defensive team.

He improved in all three seasons as a Cardinal, and there is no reason to think he wont build on that success, both as a team and a player. The team returns 4 of the top 5 scorers, and added redshirt freshmen Tayler Persons and Tahjai Teague. Persons dished out 10 assists in the exhibition, to go with 13 points. Teague also recorded a double double, with 16 points and 12 boards.

With that kind of help around him, I look for House to continue to do all the things that help a team win games. He might not be near the league leaders in any specific category, however, it’s his ability to do whatever it takes to win that makes him one of the league’s best. He was one of three players in the MAC to be first or second on his team in points, rebounds, assists, and blocked shots.

He was ranked near the top of the league in field goal percentage (.541) and offensive rebounds per game (2.4). Those stats, plus the All-defensive team recognition prove he is a blue collar worker. Those are the kinds of players coaches love, and lean on. I am sure Coach Whitford would say the same thing. Flashy is streaky, hard work is eternal.

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