Game 3: Ball State at Michigan Preview

After a flat effort against Oakland on Sunday, Michigan returns to the Crisler Center tonight against Ball State (7:00 p.m., BTN).  The Cardinals have only played one game this year, a 74-73 loss at Northern Kentucky, but are expected to finish in the top half of the MAC this season.

Ball State is also no stranger to notable road wins in non-conference play. Over the last three years, the Cardinals have knocked off Notre Dame, Loyola Chicago and Georgia Tech.

A quote like this from sixth-year Missouri transfer KJ Walton is the kind of thing you hear from a mid-major before a first-round game of the NCAA Tournament and think about changing your bracket.

“I think even without those wins … just going into it, we’re already confident that we can beat anybody,” Walton told the Star Press, “But even after those wins, it just boosted us even more and tells us that going into it, it’s anybody’s game.”