MUNCIE, Ind. (Interstat) — Indiana State will travel to Ball State on Friday for a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game at Worthen Arena. The Sycamores are the visiting team, and the Cardinals are the home team. Both programs enter with 0-1 records and will be seeking their first victory of the young season. The in-state matchup offers an early chance for either team to build momentum before moving deeper into nonconference play.

Indiana State is coming off a 78-70 loss to Charlotte at home in its most recent game. Karmani Gregory was the Sycamores’ most productive player in that contest, scoring 29 points and adding three rebounds, eight assists and one block. Maguire Mitchell added 15 points, two rebounds, one assist and one block, while Duce Paschal contributed nine points, five rebounds and one assist. Gregory is the player to watch for Indiana State. His ability to create offense and involve teammates will be a central part of the Sycamores’ approach against the Cardinals.

Ball State dropped its most recent game 67-55 at Georgia Southern. Javion Guy-King is the player to watch for the Cardinals after scoring 12 points and grabbing five rebounds in that contest. Mason Jones was active on the glass with 13 rebounds, while Kai McGrew added six points and six rebounds. Ball State will look to use its home court to generate energy and stabilize its early-season rotation.

The matchup features two teams searching for consistency after opening losses. Indiana State will try to push the pace and get production from Gregory on the perimeter and in transition. Ball State will counter with Guy-King and a frontcourt that showed promise on the boards in its opener. Worthen Arena will host the Friday contest, with both sides aiming to move to 1-1.

Indiana State’s next scheduled games include a home matchup against Milwaukee, followed by Earlham at home and a trip to Stephen F. Austin. Ball State is set to host Brescia before a road game at SMU and a visit to Florida State. Both teams have a busy stretch ahead, but the focus will be on Friday’s in-state meeting in Muncie. The Sycamores will remain on the road later in the stretch, while the Cardinals will face several tests away from home.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Indiana State 70, Ball State 67. Interstat’s ELO system gives Indiana State a 53.6 percent probability to win. Ball State has been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -2.5. The over/under is 148.