At the beginning of the 2015-16 NCAA basketball season, the Ball State Cardinals were picked to finish dead last in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and projected to not be close to even receiving a bid in March for any postseason tournament.

So far, that is not the case.

Currently, the Cardinals sit at 16-9 (7-5) and are tied with Toledo for 1st place in the MAC West. Akron, Kent State, and Ohio have either the same record or a better record in the MAC East.

According to ballstatesports.com, “The Ball State men’s basketball team has the nation’s third best turnaround, is battling for a MAC West title and is poised for a run in March.”

On Friday, February 19, 2015, The Cardinals will play their conference rivals, the Northern Illinois Huskies, on the CBS Sports Network after their game was picked up by the network based on their recent success.

Ball State has coined the game “#MuncieOut” to try to get the community to come to the game. The Ball State Sports website said about the game:

“Surely, fans have heard of ‘red outs’ or ‘black outs’ in an attempt to have all fans wear the same color gear as a declaration of unity. This game will be different. And although Ball State Athletics would prefer you sport your favorite Cardinal and White attire, we are aiming for more than just the same color shirt worn by fans. This is Ball State vs. Northern Illinois in a MAC West showdown on CBS College Sports Network. This is a #MuncieOut.”

Special promotions include slashed ticket prices at $6 dollars for general admission and $10 for reserved “special” seating, $1 dollar  hot dogs and with the purchase of anything other than the hot dog, fans get a free Baskin Robbins cookie. Plus, FREE parking! It will be a good game!

The Cardinals have six games remaining in their conference slate before the MAC conference tournament in Cleveland. From there, it could mean they are “dancing” in March.