UE opens the regular season at Purdue
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Highlighted by a match-up at one of the preseason national favorites, the University of Evansville men’s basketball team has announced its non-conference schedule for the 2025-26 season.
“We are excited about the opportunities ahead in our 2025-26 non-conference schedule.
We’ll travel to face two in-state Power Four opponents, both led by high-character coaches who run their programs in a first-class manner,” Purple Aces head men’s basketball coach David Ragland said. “At home, we welcome five opponents, including our tough in-state rival Ball State, as well as strong programs like Middle Tennessee and UT Arlington—teams that helped prepare us last season for the challenges of conference play. Wem are also looking forward to competing against a well-coached regional opponent in Western Kentucky.”
“A highlight of our non-conference schedule is a trip to the Virgin Islands, where we’ll take on historically successful programs in a premier multi-team event. This experience will provide valuable preparation and team bonding,” Ragland added. “Overall, this schedule presents us with the kind of competitive opportunities that will prepare us to succeed in our talented and well-coached conference.”
UE welcomes Henderson State for an exhibition game on October 25. The Reddies are led by former UE assistant men’s basketball coach Jimmy Elgas. He enters his 11th season at the helm of the program and led them to a 17-13 mark last season.
The regular season officially opens on November 4th with a trip to Purdue. Posting a 24-12 mark a season ago, the Boilermakers advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Purdue is ranked inside the top five of most preseason top 25 rankings that were released over the summer. This marks the first meeting between the programs since December of 2005 when the Aces won a 75-69 contest inside Roberts Stadium.
Home action begins with a 4-game homestand beginning on Nov. 7 with a game against Calumet College of St. Joseph. This is set to be the Education Day game with further details to follow. Two days later, UE plays host to Oakland City. On the 12th, Evansville welcomes Middle Tennessee State to the Ford Center. The Blue Raiders were 22-12 last season and were invited to the NIT where they battled Chattanooga before falling in triple overtime. On the 18th, the homestand wraps up against UT Arlington.
From Nov. 21-24, the Aces will be in the US Virgin Islands to play in the Paradise Jam. The opening contest of the tournament is a memorable one for Purple Aces fans – Oregon State. UE and OSU met in the 1989 NCAA Tournament where the Aces outlasted the Beavers in overtime by a final score of 94-90. This was Evansville’s first Division I NCAA Tournament victory. Last year, OSU was 20-13 and played in the College Basketball Crown.
Game two of the Paradise Jam will take place on either the 22nd or 23rd, depending on the result of the opener. UE will face either Iona or Akron in the contest. The Zips won 28 games last season on their way to the Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship. The Gaels are coming off a 17-win campaign. Evansville’s final game in the Virgin Islands will take place on the 24th.
Three games are on the docket in December beginning on the 3rd with a home game versus Ball State. On Dec. 6, the Aces travel to Western Kentucky for their first road game versus the Hilltoppers since 2009. Non-conference play wraps up on the 13th with a trip to Notre Dame. It marks just the second meeting between the Aces and Fighting Irish since 1992.
Season tickets for the 2025-26 season are on sale now. We offer great seats that fit with every families budget. For questions or more information on how we can help you and your family create long lasting memories with us at the Ford Center this season, please call Logan Belz at the UE Ticket office 812-488-2623.
