CLEVELAND — The Mid-American Conference’s two best teams will meet Saturday for the league’s NCAA tournament bid.
For Ball State coach Brady Sallee, a win would represent the first NCAA tournament berth in his 21-year head-coaching career.
For Toledo’s Ginny Boggess, it would cap off a tremendous first season as head coach of the Rockets. She took Monmouth to the tournament two years ago.
The only NCAA tournament appearance in Ball State program history came in 2009. Toledo has been dancing nine times, most recently in 2023.
“The hay is in the barn at this time of year,” Boggess said. “We’ve just got to go out-team the other team and compete.”
BASICS
■ Who: No. 1 seed Ball State (26-7) vs. No. 2 seed Toledo (24-7)
■ Where: Rocket Arena, Cleveland
■ When: Saturday, March 15, 11 a.m.
■ TV: CBS Sports Network
■ Radio: WCWA 1230 AM
■ Follow: Kyle Rowland
PROJECTED STARTERS
■ Toledo: Sammi Mikonowicz (13.6 ppg), Kendall Carruthers (11.3), Khera Goss (10.9), Nan Garcia (8.2), Cadence Dykstra (3.7).
■ Ball State: Alex Richard (16.0 ppg), Ally Becki (14.0), Madelyn Bischoff (10.4), Lachelle Austin (10.2), Marie Kiefer (7.5).
SCOUTING REPORT
Ball State has been the class of the MAC since the season started. The Cardinals were the preseason favorite, started the conference schedule 11-0, and won the regular-season championship by three games over Toledo and Buffalo.
Becki was selected as the MAC player of the year, Kiefer was named defensive player of the year, and Richard was second-team All-MAC. Four players average double figures and another is at 9.9 points per game. The Cardinals rank third in the MAC in offense and defense.
Toledo and Ball State split the season series, with each team winning on its homecourt.
PREDICTION
Toledo-Ball State is one of the best conference title game matchups in the country. Whoever wins will be a problem in the NCAA tournament.
For the Cardinals, pressure will be part of the equation. Everything is on the line. They are the favorite. They won the regular season. Sallee has never been to the tournament. All of those factors cannot be understated.
Becki and Richard are a difficult duo to contain. Becki scored 26 points against UT in a win at Ball State, while Richard had 33 during Toledo’s win at Savage Arena.
Ball State just has an extra gear that UT doesn’t this season. Plus, the Rockets play with fire almost every game because of their turnovers. Dykstra has to avoid miscues in the opening minutes, and Destiny Robinson has to be careful once she comes in.
This should be a classic battle between two proud programs, excellent coaches, and hyper-competitive talents. Ball State 77, Toledo 69.
First Published March 15, 2025, 11:00 a.m.
