MUNCIE, Ind. — With 5:24 left in a blowout win over Alabama State, Ball State coach James Whitford hollered across the court.
“Timeout!”
Tayler Persons, who had been sitting for the last eight minutes, and Ryan Weber went to the scorer’s table. They exited just 1:25 later, after two Tahjai Teague dunks. Whitford needed a minute to discuss a bad shot with Francis Kiapway, and this was one of those conversations that couldn’t wait until after the game. A bad shot may not matter much against lowly Alabama State, but with Mid-American Conference play just around the corner, that’s about to change.