New schedule looks promising
By SCOTT SWAIN

     Muncie, IN -- It's not very often that a Mid-American conference school gets a chance to prove itself against top-notch opponents on the court. It's just not suppossed to happen.
 
    It sounds like a small-town grocery that tries to compete with a big chain like Wal-Mart - always lurking in the shadows.
 
    This year the Ball State University men's basketball team will put some of the old rumors to sleep. Ball State will host a top 25 team in its own tournament, The First Merchants Classic.

    What talented squad will the Cardinals bring in? Answer, the Princeton Tigers. After dismantling a top 25 team in Mississippi a few years ago in the Classic, Ball State has finally put itself in a position to bring in more talented and well-known ball clubs.
 
    Along with the addition of Princeton this year, the guys from Muncie, Indiana will take a few road trips to play in some other quality program's tournaments. Bloomington sound very familiar to anyone? Tim Buckley will lead his Cardinals to the Indiana Classis this year with an agreement that Indiana will visit John E. Worthen Arena during the 2001-02 season, and following up that visit will be another appearance in Bloomington in 2002-03.
 
    Amidst other speculation is that Ball State will compete in the Maui Invitational during the 2001-02 season as part of another agreement, this time with Chamanade. Ball State hosted Chamanade last season at University Arena. The Maui Invitational has been one of theose tournaments that many great programs have made their way to.
 
    Just as news starts to sound great, it gets better. The Cardinals may also play host for the Iowa Hawkeyes during the 2001-02 season. Coach Buckley has been busy trying to make the schedule more respectable and has relied on "a little help from his friends."
 
    Just like Ray McCallum did at the Cardinal helm with teams like Michigan, Wisconsin and San Diego State, Coach Buckley has turned to friends like Steve Alford and Pat Knight for a schedule boost.
 
    It may not seem all too unlikely that Ball State might make a journey to The Pit in New Mexico in the next couple of years.
 
    Other rumors of note: DePaul may be added to the schedule, a journey to play a college in the southern portion of Florida, a road game with Princeton as part of the First Merchants agreement and a highly anticipated visit to play against Ray McCallums's Houston Cougars two seasons from now with the possibility of McCallum bringing his new boys up to Muncie for a little reunion of sorts.
 
    It's just not suppossed to happen, not to a MAC school. The Ball State Cardinals, under new management, are not ready for closing time yet. They're looking to make the jump to a 24-hour a day program, seven days a week, 365 days a year.