By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MUNCIE, Ind. - This isn't your typical cupcake season-opener, but when you're the Mid-American Conference's Ball State, you take Xavier University whenever you can get the Musketeers.

Xavier (3-0) is off to its best start under third-year coach Thad Matta and looks to extend its hot streak at 7 tonight against Ball State. But the Musketeers are cognizant of what Ball State can do in November against high-profile competition.

The Cardinals haven't lost a season-opener in coach Tim Buckley's first three years. That run includes a famous 93-91 upset of then No. 3 Kansas in 2001 in the Maui Invitational, followed by a defeat of then No. 4 UCLA the next day. But those games were thousands of miles away in Hawaii. Tonight's contest is at home in Muncie, where the Cardinals could be even better.

"You always want to play well in your home opener," Matta said. "It's a big thing for the fans and the community."

Ball State's home opener is also Xavier's first road game of the season after three home games in an early season tournament last week.

Xavier has a few significant freshmen who will play their first game away from the Cintas Center crowd.

"It's always tough, especially for freshmen," said senior Romain Sato. "On the road you have no fans, just the guys we have on the bench and the coaching staff."

Xavier will see a team that plays a lot like itself, one that relies on team chemistry and a deep bench to push the ball at a fast pace. Freshman Peyton Stovall has taken over the point and given the Cardinals an offensive flow they didn't have last season, particularly with a pick-and-roll set.

Xavier, which defeated Ball State at Cintas Center last season, has won nine straight games against MAC teams.

XU at Ball State

Tipoff: 7 p.m. today, John E. Worthen Arena (11,500).

Records: Xavier 3-0, Ball State 0-0.

Radio: WLW-AM (700).

TV: Fox Sports Net Ohio.

Series: Xavier leads 5-2.

Line: Xavier by 8 1/2.

Xavier

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
Romain Sato	Sr.	6-5	16.3
Anthony Myles	Sr.	6-9	8.0
Lionel Chalmers	Sr.	6-0	14.7
Dedrick Finn	So.	6-1	7.0
Will Caudle	So.	6-9	6.7

Coach: Thad Matta (55-12, 3rd year; 79-20 overall).

Ball State

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG *
Cameron Echols	Sr.	6-8	13.1
Matt McCollom	Jr.	6-2	11.9
Dennis Trammell	Jr.	6-3	00.0
Peyton Stovall	Fr.	6-1	22.0
Terrance Chapman	Jr.	6-6	19.6

Coach: Tim Buckley (54-41, 4th year; 104-93 overall).

*2002-03