Mason Jones #24 · F · Senior · 6' 7" · 225 lbs
Valparaiso, IN · ESPN
4.5 pts10.0 reb0.5 ast34.5 min
3-11 FG1-8 3PT2-4 FT
35.3 TS%9.1 shots+TO/40
Ball State Cardinals
0-2 overall, 0-0 MAC, margin -7.5
· Coach Chris Capko (since 2026-03)
· Picked 11th in the MAC preseason poll
-10.4
net rating per 100 · #294 in D-I · model
91.2
adjusted offense · #359
101.7
adjusted defense · #91
68.9
pace, possessions / 40 · #318
-3.8
strength of schedule so far · #149
Rotation
| # | Player | Pos | Cl | Ht | GP/GS | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | eFG% | TS% | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | Mason Jones | F | SR | 6' 7" | 2/2 | 34.5 | 4.5 | 10.0 | 0.5 | 31.8 | 35.3 | +1.9 |
| 5 | K'Jei Parker transfer | G | SR | 6' 2" | 2/2 | 27.5 | 8.5 | 5.0 | 0.0 | 35.4 | 35.4 | -4.6 |
| 0 | Sean Blake transfer | G | JR | 6' 2" | 2/1 | 27.5 | 12.5 | 4.0 | 2.5 | 40.9 | 46.6 | -5.1 |
| 2 | Javion Guy-King transfer | G | SR | 6' 6" | 2/0 | 24.5 | 13.5 | 6.0 | 0.5 | 59.4 | 63.4 | +0.6 |
| 1 | Trey Lewis transfer | G | SR | 6' 6" | 2/2 | 23.5 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 0.0 | 20.0 | 26.2 | -5.6 |
| 25 | Kai McGrew FR | F | FR | 6' 9" | 2/0 | 15.5 | 6.0 | 4.5 | 0.0 | 57.1 | 65.2 | +0.2 |
| 7 | Jaden Smith transfer | C | JR | 6' 11" | 1/1 | 15.0 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 68.7 | -0.4 |
| 20 | Joey Hart transfer | G | SR | 6' 5" | 1/0 | 14.0 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 33.3 | 63.0 | -2.3 |
| 3 | Aaron Fine transfer | G | JR | 6' 2" | 2/1 | 12.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 33.3 | 25.8 | -4.2 |
| 11 | Babatunde Durodola transfer | F | JR | 6' 8" | 1/1 | 10.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 50.0 | 34.7 | +0.3 |
| 4 | Jazz Henderson Jr. transfer | G | JR | 5' 11" | 2/0 | 9.0 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 41.7 | 41.7 | -2.5 |
| 6 | Kamden McGilveary FR | G | FR | 6' 1" | 2/0 | 6.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 33.3 | 33.3 | -2.5 |
| 33 | Kijani Wright | F | SR | 6' 8" | 0/0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 55 | Zaon Collins | G | SR | 6' 1" | 0/0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Box scores from ESPN. eFG% weights threes; TS% includes free throws.
Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Watch | Result | Line | Rest | Miles | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 11/2 | at Georgia Southern Eagles | ESPN+ | L 55-67 | -1.5 miss | – | 571 | |
| Fri 11/6 | vs Indiana State Sycamores | ESPN+ | L 66-69 | -1.5 miss | 3 | 571 | |
| Mon 11/9 | vs Brescia Bearcats | ESPN+ | 7 PM ET | –model -32.8 | 2 | – | |
| Fri 11/13 | at SMU Mustangs | ACC Network | 9 PM ET | –model +16.6 | 3 | 814 -1h | |
| Tue 11/17 | at Florida State Seminoles | ACCNX | 7 PM ET | –model +22.6 | 3 | 754 | |
| Mon 11/23 | vs Spalding Pelicans | ESPN+ | 7 PM ET | – | 5 | 677 | |
| Sat 11/28 | at Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles | ESPN+ | 2 PM ET | – | 4 | 192 -1h | |
| Wed 12/2 | at Akron Zips MAC | ESPN+ | 7 PM ET | – | 3 | 404 | |
| Sat 12/5 | vs Eastern Michigan Eagles MAC | ESPN+ | 1 PM ET | – | 2 | 212 | |
| Tue 12/8 | vs Evansville Purple Aces | ESPN+ | 7 PM ET | – | 2 | – | |
| Wed 12/16 | vs Ohio Bobcats MAC | ESPN+ | 7 PM ET | – | 7 | – | |
| Sat 12/19 | at Miami (OH) RedHawks MAC | ESPN+ | 1 PM ET | – | 2 | 58 | |
| Tue 12/29 | vs East West Phantoms | ESPN+ | 7 PM ET | – | 9 | 58 | |
| Sat 1/2 | at Massachusetts Minutemen MAC | – | 2 PM ET | – | 3 | 684 | |
| Tue 1/5 | vs Kent State Golden Flashes MAC | – | 7 PM ET | – | 2 | 684 | |
| Sat 1/9 | vs Central Michigan Chippewas MAC | – | 1:30 PM ET | – | 3 | – | |
| Tue 1/12 | at Bowling Green Falcons MAC | – | 7 PM ET | – | 2 | 122 | |
| Sat 1/16 | at Western Michigan Broncos MAC | – | 2:30 PM ET | – | 3 | 118 | |
| Tue 1/19 | vs Toledo Rockets MAC | – | 7 PM ET | – | 2 | 145 | |
| Sat 1/23 | at Eastern Michigan Eagles MAC | – | 3:30 PM ET | – | 3 | 169 | |
| Tue 1/26 | at Kent State Golden Flashes MAC | – | 7 PM ET | – | 2 | 138 | |
| Sat 1/30 | vs Buffalo Bulls MAC | – | 1 PM ET | – | 3 | 221 | |
| Tue 2/2 | vs Bowling Green Falcons MAC | – | 7 PM ET | – | 2 | – | |
| Tue 2/9 | at Toledo Rockets MAC | – | 7 PM ET | – | 6 | 139 | |
| Sat 2/13 | vs Miami (OH) RedHawks MAC | – | 1:30 PM ET | – | 3 | 139 | |
| Tue 2/16 | vs Massachusetts Minutemen MAC | – | 7 PM ET | – | 2 | – | |
| Sat 2/20 | at Ohio Bobcats MAC | – | 4 PM ET | – | 3 | 184 | |
| Tue 2/23 | vs Western Michigan Broncos MAC | – | 7 PM ET | – | 2 | 184 | |
| Sat 2/27 | vs Akron Zips MAC | – | 1:30 PM ET | – | 3 | – | |
| Tue 3/2 | at Buffalo Bulls MAC | – | 6:30 PM ET | – | 2 | 384 | |
| Fri 3/5 | at Central Michigan Chippewas MAC | – | 7 PM ET | – | 2 | 300 |
Line is this team's spread (DraftKings via ESPN for finished games, our snapshots for upcoming). "cover" / "miss" is against that number. Click a result for the box score. Rest is full days off; miles are estimated travel into the game, with any time-zone change. Season total: 8,159 miles. See the route on the travel map · TV schedule.
Storylines
Capko era opens 0-2 after Georgia Southern and Indiana State losses Ball State lost 67-55 at Georgia Southern on Nov 2 (Javion Guy-King 12 pts) and then blew a double-digit second-half lead in a 69-66 home loss to Indiana State on Nov 6. source
Near-total roster rebuild through the portal At least eight transfers signed in April-May 2026 (Parker, Fine, Guy-King, Smith, Lewis, Durodola, Henderson Jr., Blake) plus freshmen McGilveary and McGrew; Copeland, Ziegler, Hill and Fish left. The official 14-man roster lists players from UMass, Western Michigan, Central Arkansas, Purdue, Texas Tech, Saint Joseph's, Temple, Vermont and Kentucky. source
Picked 11th; described as a MAC 'wildcard' Coaches picked Ball State 11th of 12. sMACk Talk says the new system and unproven frontcourt make the Cardinals a wildcard that could create chaos. source
Return to SMU on Nov 13 Capko faces his former program (he was Andy Enfield's associate head coach 2024-26) in Dallas on Nov 13, then plays at Florida State Nov 17. source
Three straight years without a MAC Tournament berth Ball State missed the 2026 MAC Tournament on a tiebreaker after going 12-19; Michael Lewis was fired March 7, 2026. source
Recent news
2026-11-02 Cardinals drop season opener at Georgia Southern, 67-55 Capko's debut in Statesboro. Javion Guy-King 12 pts; Kai McGrew 6 pts, 6 reb; Joey Hart 6 pts. Georgia Southern's Eltramon Smith Jr. scored 24. Ball State Daily News gamer: 'Ball State men's basketball dominated at Georgia Southern' (Nov 3). source
2026-11-06 Indiana State rallies from double-digit second-half deficit to beat Ball State 69-66 in home opener Ball State led by double digits in the second half at Worthen Arena before the Sycamores came back. Cardinals fall to 0-2. Player stats not captured (recap pages could not be fetched). BSDN gamer Nov 7: 'Ball State Men's Basketball suffers close loss to Indiana State 69-66 in season home opener'. source
2026-11-09 Upcoming: Brescia University at Worthen Arena, then at SMU Nov 13 Non-D-I home game Nov 9 precedes Capko's return to SMU on Nov 13 and a trip to Florida State Nov 17. source
Fieldhouse Notes
+ Add dispatchLatest headlines
All MAC news →- 2d Ball State Men’s Basketball suffers close loss to Indiana State 69-66 in season home opener Ball State Daily News
- 2d Men's Basketball vs Indiana St. on 11/06/26 - Box Score Ball State University Athletics
- 2d Men's Basketball Falls 69-66 to Indiana State in Home Opener - Ball State University Athletics Ball State University Athletics
- 2d Five takeaways from Ball State Men’s Basketball's loss to Indiana State 69-66 Ball State Daily News
- 2d Indiana State knocks off Ball State in men’s hoops WISH-TV
- 3d Men's Basketball Hosting Indiana State on Friday Night for Home Opener Ball State University Athletics
- 3d 2026-27 Men's Basketball Cumulative Statistics Ball State University Athletics
- 5d Jazz Henderson Jr. - Men's Basketball Ball State University Athletics
- 6d Men's Basketball vs Ga. Southern on 11/02/26 - Box Score Ball State University Athletics
- 6d Men's Basketball Falls in MAC-SBC Challenge at Georgia Southern Ball State University Athletics
- 6d Ball State men’s basketball dominated at Georgia Southern Ball State Daily News
- 7d Men's Basketball Set to Officially Begin 2026-27 Season in MAC-SBC Challenge Contest at Georgia Southern Ball State University Athletics
On Reddit: r/CollegeBasketball search. Reddit is closing its free feeds, so these are links, not part of the ticker.
Preseason previews
Wikipedia (2026-27 MAC men's basketball season): 2026-27 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season 2026-11 (living page) · projected 11th of 12 (MAC preseason coaches poll, 40 points)
Ball State was picked 11th in the Oct 20, 2026 MAC preseason coaches poll with 40 points, ahead of only Central Michigan (25). Chris Capko is listed as a first-year head coach (0-0) after Michael Lewis was fired March 7, 2026 following a 12-19 season; Capko, SMU's associate head coach, was hired in March 2026. The page notes Babatunde Durodola was featured in the league's preseason preview. No Ball State player made the preseason All-MAC first or second team.
sMACk Talk (Substack): 2026-27 Mid-American Men's Basketball Overview 2026-10-21 · Foster Roesti (Ball State section) · projected 11th (cites MAC preseason poll)
Ball State went 12-19 (7-11 MAC) in 2025-26 and missed the MAC Tournament for a third straight year after losing a tiebreaker for the final spot. First-year coach Chris Capko (ex-SMU associate head coach) brings a new staff and playing style; the piece calls the frontcourt unproven but labels Ball State a possible 'wildcard' that could create chaos in the MAC. The rebuilt roster is transfer-heavy: K'Jei Parker (UMass), Javion Guy-King (Central Arkansas), Babatunde Durodola (Temple), Trey Lewis (Western Michigan), Jaden Smith (Saint Joseph's), plus Zaon Collins and Kijani Wright. Departures: Preston Copeland (Miami OH), Armoni Ziegler (Boston College), Davion Hill (San Diego), Kayden Fish (Belmont); Elmore James IV and Devon Barnes graduated. Non-conference tests at SMU (Nov 13) and Florida State (Nov 17).
Ball State Daily News: Ball State Men's Basketball seeks to have redemption season with new head coach and arrivals 2026-10-11
Campus-paper season preview framing 2026-27 as a 'redemption season' under new coach Chris Capko and a largely new roster. Located via search; could not be read (fetch budget exhausted), so author, quotes and player claims are unverified. Companion media-day piece: 'Ball State Men's Basketball welcomes new faces during media day' (Oct 9, 2026, https://www.ballstatedailynews.com/article/ball-state-men-s-basketball-welcomes-new-faces-during-media-day-20261009).
The Star Press (via Yahoo Sports): Five things to know about Ball State basketball before the 2026-27 season
City-paper season preview located via search but not read (fetch budget exhausted). Content, author and date unverified.
Ball State Athletics: Men's Basketball Announces 2026-27 Schedule Featuring Challenging Non-Conference Matchups and 22-Game MAC Slate 2026-08-12 · Ball State Athletics
Schedule release for Capko's first season: exhibitions at Purdue (Oct 18) and vs. Purdue Fort Wayne (Oct 28); opener at Georgia Southern Nov 2 (MAC-SBC Challenge); home games vs. Indiana State (Nov 6) and Brescia (Nov 9); road trips to SMU (Nov 13, Capko's former school), Florida State (Nov 17) and Southern Indiana (Nov 28); Evansville (Dec 9) and East-West University (Dec 29) at home; MAC-SBC Challenge round two Feb 6. Capko: 'We're really excited about our non-conference schedule and the different challenges it presents,' saying he wants the team to challenge itself, learn about itself and grow before MAC play. No roster details.
Ball State Athletics: Men's Basketball Hosting Indiana State on Friday Night for Home Opener 2026-11-05 · Ball State Athletics
Official game preview for the Nov 6 home opener vs. Indiana State. Located but not read (fetch budget exhausted).
Players
K'Jei Parker #5 · G · Senior · 6' 2" · 190 lbs
Lakeland, FL · from UMass · transfer in · ESPN
8.5 pts5.0 reb0.0 ast27.5 min
7-24 FG3-16 3PT0-0 FT
35.4 TS%18.2 shots+TO/40
6-2, Lakeland, Fla. Signed April 15, 2026. 10.7 ppg, 35.7% 3PT at UMass in 2025-26. source source
sMACk Talk (Substack): Senior guard, transfer from UMass; 10.7 ppg, 35.7% from three. source
Sean Blake #0 · G · Junior · 6' 2" · 190 lbs
Mississauga, Canada · from Vermont · transfer in · ESPN
12.5 pts4.0 reb2.5 ast27.5 min
9-22 FG0-3 3PT7-11 FT
46.6 TS%23.9 shots+TO/40
6-2, Mississauga, Ont. (Royal Crown). Signed May 7, 2026. source source
Javion Guy-King #2 · G · Senior · 6' 6" · 225 lbs
Little Rock, AR · from Central Arkansas · transfer in · ESPN · @jguyking_
13.5 pts6.0 reb0.5 ast24.5 min
8-16 FG3-9 3PT8-12 FT
63.4 TS%19.8 shots+TO/40
6-6, Little Rock, Ark. Signed April 19, 2026. 9.8 ppg, 34.1% 3PT at Central Arkansas. Led Ball State with 12 points in the 67-55 loss at Georgia Southern (Nov 2). source source source
sMACk Talk (Substack): Senior guard (roster lists R-Jr.), transfer from Central Arkansas; 9.8 ppg, 34.1% from three. source
Trey Lewis #1 · G · Senior · 6' 6" · 195 lbs
Ferndale, MI · from Western Michigan · transfer in · ESPN
4.5 pts4.0 reb0.0 ast23.5 min
3-15 FG0-7 3PT3-5 FT
26.2 TS%18.9 shots+TO/40
6-6, Ferndale, Mich. Signed April 29, 2026. 7.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg at WMU. source source
sMACk Talk (Substack): Grad student, transfer from Western Michigan; 7.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg. source
Kai McGrew #25 · F · Freshman · 6' 9" · 220 lbs
Indianapolis, IN · from Fishers HS (Indianapolis) · freshman · ESPN
6.0 pts4.5 reb0.0 ast15.5 min
4-7 FG0-2 3PT4-5 FT
65.2 TS%15.7 shots+TO/40
6-9 freshman forward signed April 30, 2026. 6 points, 6 rebounds in season opener at Georgia Southern. source source
Jaden Smith #7 · C · Junior · 6' 11" · 220 lbs
Chicago, IL · from Saint Joseph's · transfer in · ESPN
5.0 pts2.0 reb0.0 ast15.0 min
0-1 FG0-0 3PT5-6 FT
68.7 TS%9.7 shots+TO/40
6-11, Chicago (Kenwood Academy). Signed April 28, 2026. 8.8 mpg in 36 games at Saint Joseph's in 2025-26. source source
sMACk Talk (Substack): Transfer from Saint Joseph's; 8.8 mpg across 36 games last season. source
Joey Hart #20 · G · Senior · 6' 5" · 210 lbs
Linton, IN · from Kentucky · transfer in · ESPN · @joey_hart32
6.0 pts2.0 reb0.0 ast14.0 min
1-3 FG0-2 3PT4-4 FT
63.0 TS%19.3 shots+TO/40
6 points at Georgia Southern (Nov 2). Official roster lists a 6-5 senior guard from Linton, Ind. (Linton-Stockton HS) whose previous school is Kentucky, consistent with Hart; signing release not located. source source
Aaron Fine #3 · G · Junior · 6' 2" · 200 lbs
Noblesville, IN · from Purdue · transfer in · ESPN · @aaronfine_3
1.0 pts0.5 reb1.0 ast12.5 min
1-3 FG0-1 3PT0-2 FT
25.8 TS%11.0 shots+TO/40
Babatunde Durodola #11 · F · Junior · 6' 8" · 230 lbs
Toronto, CA · from Temple · transfer in · ESPN
2.0 pts3.0 reb0.0 ast10.0 min
1-2 FG0-0 3PT0-2 FT
34.7 TS%15.5 shots+TO/40
6-8, Toronto. Signed May 4, 2026. 4.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg at Temple. Featured in MAC preseason preview materials. source source source
Wikipedia (2026-27 MAC men's basketball season): Featured as Ball State's representative in the MAC preseason preview materials. source
sMACk Talk (Substack): Junior forward, transfer from Temple; 4.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg in roughly 19 mpg over 31-32 games. source
Jazz Henderson Jr. #4 · G · Junior · 5' 11" · 185 lbs
Dallas, TX · from Texas Tech · transfer in · ESPN
2.5 pts0.5 reb1.0 ast9.0 min
2-6 FG1-4 3PT0-0 FT
41.7 TS%15.6 shots+TO/40
5-11, Dallas (Faith Family Academy Oak Cliff). Signed May 6, 2026. source source
sMACk Talk (Substack): Graduated. source
Kamden McGilveary #6 · G · Freshman · 6' 1" · 170 lbs
Fort Worth, TX · from Dynamic Prep (Fort Worth, Texas) · freshman · ESPN · @kam_mcgilveary
1.0 pts1.0 reb0.5 ast6.0 min
1-3 FG0-1 3PT0-0 FT
33.3 TS%13.3 shots+TO/40
Kijani Wright #33 · F · Senior · 6' 8" · 225 lbs
Los Angeles, CA · unknown · ESPN
Has not appeared yet.
Transfer who has not played in two seasons, per sMACk Talk; not verified on official roster fetch. source
sMACk Talk (Substack): Transfer who has not played in two seasons. source
Zaon Collins #55 · G · Senior · 6' 1" · 165 lbs
Las Vegas, NV · from Fresno State · unknown · ESPN
Has not appeared yet.
Listed by sMACk Talk as a key player (11.6 ppg, 4.6 apg) but his arrival is not discussed and no official signing release or matching roster entry was verified. source
sMACk Talk (Substack): Senior guard listed as from Fresno State; 11.6 ppg, 4.6 apg; named a key player (arrival not discussed; not confirmed on official roster fetch). source
Departures and others in coverage
| Player | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Preston Copeland | unknown | Transferred out to Miami (OH). source |
| Armoni Ziegler | unknown | Transferred out to Boston College. source |
| Davion Hill | unknown | Transferred out to San Diego. source |
| Kayden Fish | unknown | Transferred out to Belmont. source |
| Devon Barnes | unknown | Graduated after 2025-26. source |
Named in previews or news but not on ESPN's current roster: mostly transfers out and graduates, sometimes a late addition ESPN has not listed yet.
Who covers Ball State
| Source | Type | Handle | Beat writers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball State Daily News | campus paper | Student paper with the deepest 2026-27 coverage found: Capko intro (Mar 28, 2026), coaching staff at Heekin Park (Sep 22), media day (Oct 9), season preview 'seeks to have redemption season' (Oct 11), Georgia Southern gamer (Nov 3), Indiana State gamer (Nov 7). Articles could not be read (fetch budget exhausted) so bylines not captured. | ||
| Ball State Sports Link (student sports media) | campus paper | Student-run broadcast/digital outlet; no 2026-27 MBB preview surfaced in search. | ||
| The Star Press (Muncie) | city paper | Gannett paper; 2026-27 pieces syndicated to Yahoo/AOL: 'Five things to know about Ball State basketball before the 2026-27 season' (https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/five-things-know-ball-state-080353038.html) and 'Ball State basketball 2026-27 schedule released' (https://www.aol.com/articles/ball-state-basketball-2026-27-172101000.html). Not read; author not captured. | ||
| WISH-TV (Indianapolis) | tv radio | Gregg Montgomery | Ran AP recaps of both opening games (Georgia Southern loss Nov 2; Indiana State loss Nov 6: https://www.wishtv.com/sports/basketball/college-basketball/indiana-state-knocks-off-ball-state-69-66-in-mens-hoops/). Montgomery is listed in page metadata. | |
| 107.5 The Fan (Indianapolis radio) | tv radio | Feature 'Chris Capko brings vision and passion to Ball State men's basketball' (not read). | ||
| WLBC / WMUN (Muncie radio) | tv radio | Local Muncie radio news items on the Capko hire (not read). | ||
| Indiana Public Radio (Muncie) | tv radio | Carries Ball State MBB game items; no 2026-27 item verified. | ||
| Ball State Athletics (BallStateSports.com) men's basketball | official | Official site. 2026-27 releases: schedule (Aug 12), Purdue exhibition (Oct 17), Purdue Fort Wayne exhibition (Oct 27), Indiana State home-opener preview (Nov 5), box score vs. Indiana State (https://ballstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats/2026-27/indiana-state/boxscore/14626). Roster: https://ballstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/2026-27 (14 players; names not rendered in fetch). | ||
| sMACk Talk (Substack) | blog | Foster Roesti | MAC-wide newsletter; Roesti wrote the Ball State section of the Oct 21, 2026 overview. | |
| HoopDirt | blog | Coaching-carousel site; 'Ball State Basketball Staff Update' on Capko's staff (not read). | ||
| Hustle Belt (SB Nation MAC site) | blog | No 2026-27 Ball State basketball preview surfaced in searches. |
Coverage research as of 2026-11-08.