The Goshen Maple Leafs and Ball State Cardinals will meet on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 7:00pm ET at Worthen Arena in Muncie, Indiana. The game will be televised on ESPN+.

The Maple Leafs are a Division III program, while the Cardinals are a Division I program. This makes the matchup a David vs. Goliath matchup.

The Maple Leafs are coming off a 23-7 season in 2022-23. Goshen won the Crossroads League regular season championship and made it to the Crossroads League Tournament championship game. The Maple Leafs are led by senior guard Jaylen Harshbarger, who averaged 20.3 points per game last season.

The Cardinals are coming off a 17-14 season in 2022-23. Ball State finished in fifth place in the Mid-American Conference regular season standings and lost in the first round of the MAC Tournament. The Cardinals are led by senior guard Jarron Coleman, who averaged 18.2 points per game last season.

The Goshen-Ball State matchup is a clash of two different styles of play. The Maple Leafs are a slow-paced team that relies on their defense and rebounding. The Cardinals are a fast-paced team that relies on their athleticism and three-point shooting.

The Maple Leafs will be looking to slow down Ball State’s high-powered offense. The Cardinals averaged 78.5 points per game last season, which was the second-most in the MAC.

Ball State will be looking to defend Goshen’s perimeter shooters. The Maple Leafs shot 40.3% from behind the three-point line last season, which was the second-best mark in the Crossroads League.

The Goshen-Ball State game is a tough one to predict. The Cardinals are the clear favorites, but the Maple Leafs are a scrappy team that is never afraid of a challenge.

I am predicting a close game, but I am giving the slight edge to the Cardinals. Ball State has the better players and the home court advantage.

The Goshen-Ball State game will be televised on ESPN+ on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 7:00pm ET. You can also stream the game on the ESPN+ app.