The Ball State Cardinals men's basketball team represents Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. The Cardinals first basketball season was 1920–21. The school's team currently competes in the Mid-American Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2000.
The Cardinals have had various levels of success throughout their 94 seasons of competition. Although there was little success in the program from its start until the 1970s, the next two decades would be the highlight of the program's performance. Ball State became a sporadic leader in the Mid-American Conference, winning a record seven MAC tournaments between 1981 and 2000.
John E. Worthen Arena is an arena on the campus of Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, United States. The arena opened in 1992 and replaced Irving Gymnasium. Originally named Ball State Arena or University Arena, it was renamed Worthen Arena in honor of the former university president, John E. Worthen. The arena mainly serves as home to four Ball State Cardinals athletic teams: men's and women's basketball and men's and women's volleyball. The seating capacity is listed at 11,500 people and cost $8 million to build.