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The Ball State Cardinals (13-8) will head into Savage Arena to take on the red-hot Toledo Rockets (15-6). The Rockets have been on a roll in conference play with a 7-1 record. Meanwhile, the Cardinals are 4-4 in conference play after a big 111-106 win in double overtime over Akron just a few days ago.
Game Details
When: Tuesday, Jan. 30th, 2018 at 7:00 PM ET
Where: Savage Arena - Toledo, Ohio
Watch: ESPN 3
Players To Watch
Tre’Shaun Fletcher, G, Toledo - The captain of this offense. Fletcher is having a phenomenal 2018 campaign. As of right now, Fletcher is averaging 18.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game this season. The 6’7” guard has scored 20 or more points in his last two games and will look to do the same in his first matchup with the Cardinals.
Marreon Jackson, G, Toledo - The freshman guard out of Cleveland, Ohio has looked solid this year. Jackson holds the second best field goal percentage from beyond the arc in the MAC at 44.3%. Jackson can catch fire from three-point land as he made five triples in Toledo’s 85-81 over Western Michigan last week.
Taylor Persons, G, Ball State - Persons led his team in scoring last season and is bringing the same offensive power again in 2018. The 6’3” guard had a tough start to 2018, but he is starting to look like he is getting into a groove. Persons had 26 points in Ball State’s most recent win over Akron and had 19 points and seven assists in their overtime loss to Kent State last week.
Trey Moses, C, Ball State - These two teams matchup very equally on the glass. However, if Trey Moses can control the boards, they could slow down Toledo’s potent offense. Moses dominated the Zips last week with 22 points and 11 rebounds. The 245-pound big man will try to assert his dominance in the paint on Tuesday to end Toledo’s big win streak.
Prediction
Although the Rockets winning streak will end eventually, I do not see it ending against the Cardinals. Toledo has the second-best scoring offense in the MAC, along with a 41.2 field goal percentage from beyond the arc. Ball State has struggled to keep up with dominant offensive teams, and I do not see that changing on Tuesday night against Tre’Shaun Fletcher and the Rockets.
Ball State Cardinals - 73
Toledo Rockets - 87