Men’s basketball opens season on Saturday at Ford Center

Evansville welcomes Ball State for a 6 p.m. game

 It is time for some basketball as the University of Evansville men’s basketball team officially kicks off the 2019-20 regular season on Saturday against Ball State.  Tip will be at 6 p.m. inside the Ford Center.  Fans are encouraged to cheer on the contestants of the “Ace Ace Baby Race” at halftime, which will be presented by The Women’s Hospital.

Setting the Scene

– For the fifth time since 2013, the Purple Aces open up the season at home; overall – Evansville has won seven out of eight Ford Center openers

– The Aces open up against a familiar opponent in Ball State; last season, the teams played a home-and-home series

– Evansville has enjoyed success at home against the Cardinals, going 23-5 in 25 home games

– That includes an 89-77 win last season that saw the Aces erupt for a 44-11 run that saw them erase a 16-point deficit before winning by 12

– Saturday’s game ties the arena mark for the earliest regular-season game played; in 2013, UE also played a Nov. 9 game, taking on Martin Methodist

Coach McCarty’s Thoughts

“It should be a lot of fun, just sitting there, it is almost like you are playing a waiting game. Every school is playing and we still have a few days left before we play. Getting out there in a real game and letting our guys get acquainted and get going is what we are looking for. Once it gets going, it is not going to stop. We’re excited. Our guys are really anxious to get out there and play the right way.”

Exhibition Recap

– In its lone exhibition game, the Purple Aces earned a hard-fought 71-68 overtime win over the University of Southern Indiana

– K.J. Riley and Artur Labinowicz led the Aces with 14 points apiece

– One of the best in the nation at getting to the line, Riley did so on ten occasions against the Screaming Eagles, converting nine of those attempts

– DeAndre Williams had an efficient 13-point, 7-rebound outing; he was 6-of-8 from the free throw line

– Sam Cunliffe finished the night with 9 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists

– UE’s defense made a huge difference, forcing 26 turnovers while holding the Screaming Eagles to just 2-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc