(Photo: Jordan Kartholl/The Star Press)
MUNCIE, Ind. — James Whitford took the job as Ball State’s head men’s basketball coach ahead of the 2013-14 season with two major goals in mind.
The former Miami (Ohio), Xavier and Arizona assistant, one who had reached the NCAA Tournament nine times and Elite Eight twice in 19 years with those schools, wanted to win the Mid-American Conference outright and reach the NCAA Tournament.
Neither goal has been accomplished so far. The Cardinals tied for the MAC West Division title twice, in 2015-16 and 2016-17. They won 21 games in back-to-back seasons after winning a combined 12 games the two seasons prior, and 19 in 2017-18.