Ball State Sports Link’s exclusive, behind-the-scenes show — The #Process: Ball State Basketball — returns for its sixth season in 2018-19.
Formerly known as Out of the Shadows, the then-monthly show was transformed into a weekly series a year ago called The #Process.
The #Process will provide unprecedented cinematic footage of the team and features-style storytelling on the group. In addition to the bi-weekly full episodes, The #Process will also be available in shorter, more consumable content on digital platforms throughout the week.
The creative process of the series, officially started in October with a shoot with the team at the Muncie Aviation Company. The team was surrounded by multi-million dollar aircrafts in a hangar, with lighting provided by Muncie’s Sight & Sound.
Ball State head coach James Whitford has again granted Sports Link exclusive access to the team, the locker room, team functions, road trips and more.
Members of the team are also providing feature and content ideas.
“Ball State Sports Link is a tremendous asset for our university, our athletic department and our basketball program,” Whitford said. “The quality of their work is exceptional, and their professionalism is outstanding. We are excited to move into season six, the new look and way the content is delivered.”
This season, freshman Max Abrahamson is the executive producer of the series, while junior Quinton Zielke is the associate producer. Sophomore Zach Roy is a lead producer. Multiple digital sports production students from Sports Link will work on the production crew throughout the season.
Additional series distribution will be available through ballstatesports.com and Ball State’s social media platforms (@bsusportslink and @BallStateMBB).
The Cardinals, now in their sixth season under head coach James Whitford, boast a wealth of returning experience.
At the top of that list are returning All-MAC players Trey Moses and Tayler Persons. Ball State has averaged better than 20 wins per season during their time in Muncie, but they have their eyes set on more this season.
“It’s just one of those things where time flies by, and you have to make the most of it now,” Moses said.
The Cardinals return another pair of veterans in the frontcourt in Tahjai Teague and Kyle Mallers, both of whom made major jumps last year as sophomores. Add Ishmael El-Amin, Zach Gunn and Josh Thompson, and the Cardinals have seven of their top eight rotation players back from the end of last season.
“I think our leadership is off to a very good start; that’s an important piece,” Whitford said. “And I think this group is a very athletic team for us. I think we have a chance to be outstanding defensively and a much improved rebounding team.”
Ball State is also excited about three transfers who will suit up this season. Two of them — Brachen Hazen and K.J. Walton — were sitting out with the program last year, while Austin Nehls joined the team over the summer as a graduate transfer.
Hazen and Walton were Indiana All-Stars as high school seniors at Columbia City and Brownsburg, respectively. They made their way to SEC programs before opting to return to their home state. Nehls was a 1,000-point scorer in three seasons at Central Connecticut. He graduated in three years, making him eligible to transfer and play immediately.
Another Indiana All-Star joins the mix this season in Jarron Coleman. The freshman from Cathedral makes it five Indiana All-Stars again on this year’s roster. Coleman will debut for the Cardinals along with center Blake Huggins who redshirted last season and will see minutes in the post this year.
