MUNCIE, Ind. — Scanning the Don Shondell Practice Center during Ball State's men's basketball practice, about half of the people were with the team last season.
There's head coach James Whitford and assistant Ben Botts. Players Miryne Thomas, Luke Bumbalough, Teemu Suokas, Josh Bryan, Kani Acree, Reggie Jones, Jalen Windham, Ben Hendricks and Blake Huggins are there, too.
A year ago, the gym looked much different.
Five Ball State players transferred this offseason, including its top three scorers from the 2020-21 season in K.J. Walton (Akron), Ishmael El-Amin (Rhode Island) and Jarron Coleman (Missouri). Brachen Hazen graduated and Zach Gunn elected to go to IUPUI, joining former Cardinals assistant Matt Crenshaw, who was named the Jaguars' head coach this offseason.