Who's Playing

Ball State @ Central Michigan

Current Records: Ball State 16-7; Central Michigan 8-15

What to Know

Get ready for a Mid-American battle as the Ball State Cardinals and the Central Michigan Chippewas will face off at 7 p.m. ET Tuesday at McGuirk Arena. Ball State will be seeking to avenge the 89-85 loss they suffered the last time these two teams played Feb. 8 of last year.

The Cardinals escaped with a win this past Friday against the Eastern Michigan Eagles by the margin of a single free throw, 91-90. Ball State got double-digit scores from five players: center Payton Sparks (22), guard Jarron Coleman (18), guard Jaylin Sellers (17), guard Demarius Jacobs (16), and forward Mickey Pearson Jr. (13).

Meanwhile, CMU was expected to have a tough go of it this past Saturday, and, well, they did. Things couldn't have gone much worse for them as they lost 84-59 to the Toledo Rockets.

Ball State is the favorite in this one, with an expected 7-point margin of victory. The odds have been favorable for them against the spread on the road this season, even if it's been tough sledding overall. They are 6-3 ATS in away games but only 11-10 all in all.

Ball State's victory lifted them to 16-7 while Central Michigan's loss dropped them down to 8-15. In their win, Ball State relied heavily on Payton Sparks, who posted a double-double on 22 points and 15 rebounds along with three blocks. the Chippewas will need to find a way to minimize his impact if they want to win.

How To Watch

  • When: Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET
  • Where: McGuirk Arena -- Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
  • Follow: CBS Sports App
  • Ticket Cost: $20.00

Odds

The Cardinals are a solid 7-point favorite against the Chippewas, according to the latest college basketball odds.

The oddsmakers were right in line with the betting community on this one, as the game opened as a 7-point spread, and stayed right there.

Over/Under: -111

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Series History

Ball State have won seven out of their last 12 games against Central Michigan.

  • Feb 08, 2022 - Central Michigan 89 vs. Ball State 85
  • Feb 27, 2021 - Ball State 97 vs. Central Michigan 91
  • Mar 03, 2020 - Ball State 85 vs. Central Michigan 68
  • Jan 25, 2020 - Central Michigan 71 vs. Ball State 66
  • Feb 23, 2019 - Central Michigan 64 vs. Ball State 57
  • Jan 19, 2019 - Ball State 83 vs. Central Michigan 72
  • Feb 27, 2018 - Central Michigan 75 vs. Ball State 51
  • Jan 16, 2018 - Ball State 82 vs. Central Michigan 76
  • Feb 18, 2017 - Ball State 109 vs. Central Michigan 100
  • Jan 17, 2017 - Ball State 98 vs. Central Michigan 83
  • Mar 01, 2016 - Central Michigan 65 vs. Ball State 57
  • Feb 13, 2016 - Ball State 75 vs. Central Michigan 63