Editor's note: Ball State's Tamara Bowie, last season's Mid-American Conference Player of the Year, will share a weekly diary with ESPN.com throughout the season.

Jan. 7, 2002

Word from the snow! (That's for you, Frese.) We finally have some snow in Muncie after a storm Saturday night and Sunday. Don't get me wrong; I wasn't complaining when we didn't have snow, but I guess it's nice to see that winter is officially here with the white stuff.

	Tamara Bowie averaged 18.6 points and 8.4 rebounds as a sophomore in 2000-01.

Even though I just talked with you after our Mid-American Conference opener at Central Michigan last Wednesday, we were back in action Saturday against Marshall. WHOA! That game was very slow, I mean really slow.

Give some credit to Marshall. Its plan was to slow it down and make it a low-scoring game. Even with the 50-42 victory, I think we all feel like we took a step backwards. I think we played down to our competition and maybe lower. Everybody was frustrated during that game -- the players, the coaches and even the fans. I think everyone knew we could play so much better. With that said, though, it's still a win and we'll take it.

Today it was back to school as the holiday break is over now. It was hard because I am not used to waking up as early after not having class. I have a 9 a.m. economics class, a 10 a.m. accounting class and an 11 a.m. business class on Mondays. We have the day off from practice, so it gives me a chance to get my weightlifting in and I am going to buy my books this afternoon.

After Saturday's performance, I know that practice is going to be hard this week. I guess you could say I am already mentally preparing myself for this week. There is no midweek game for us, so we are off until Saturday's game at Northern Illinois.

We are looking at Saturday's game as a big test because my team and I have never won in DeKalb. We know it's still early in the conference season, but every game means something. It is more of a personal challenge for me because we have been so close and have lost some important games there the last two years.

The conference season is already off to a wacky start. The Kent State/Eastern Michigan game opened some eyes and Toledo had a thrilling 61-60 win at Northern. I think the conference is up for grabs this year and it's going to be exciting.

Well, that's all for this week. I am off to the bookstore!

One Love,

Bowie