Lights go up on new season
By ANDREW THORPE

     Muncie, IN -- It is a new season now for Ball State basketball as Midnight Mania has passed. The special night that we all were waiting for was a success as the Cardinals were able to show off their new team and coaching staff for all of the 2,000 fans in attendance.
 
     The Cardinals didn't exactly put on a stellar defensive show, but that isn't what Midnight Mania was about. Ball State was able to run up and down the floor and show off the athleticism and talent that will make them favorites to repeat as champions of the Mid-American Conference West.
 
     I was ecspecially pleased with the three freshman, Mark Farris and Josh Murray. Murray looked like he put on a few more pounds of muscle and he looked like he could be more of an offensive force this year. Farris, who played only in mop-up duty last year, should be more than a human victory cigar this year. The 6-5 forward proved once again his incredible leaping ability. But he also knocked down a jumper or two. He will also be a force defensivly with his quickness and leaping ability. The freshman (ecspecially Marshall and Owens) looked impressive, at least athletically. Marshall and Owens can both run like deer and finish like seasoned veterans. Bennett showed he might be a defensive presence as he seemed to be the only who played defense.

     It was cetrainly a fun night, and it should give us speculators something to write about until the season starts. Also, I would like to give a special shot out to my Cardinal Talk cohort in crime Scott Swain, who paired with Rob Robbins to win the three-point shootout. Congratulations "Big-Tyme".
 

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