UE men’s basketball announces 2018-19 non-conference slate

Aces to play exciting schedule

 

In his first season at the helm of the University of Evansville men’s basketball program, head coach Walter McCarty will challenge his squad with a tough non-conference schedule for the 2018-19 season.

McCarty and the Purple Aces announced the slate on Wednesday and features a challenging road that will lead the team into Missouri Valley Conference play.

“We are very excited about the non-conference schedule, it is going to be a huge challenge for us,” McCarty said.  “The schedule has a good mix of Power 5 schools and others teams that have done very well in the tournament.  It will be challenging but very good for us in the long term.”

An increased emphasis was put on a higher level of competition in the non-conference portion of the schedule while also focusing on playing regional opponents that will increase fan interest while renewing rivalries that have helped to build the UE program.

“Our schedule is really good for the fans who have supported us in the past and have also been part of the rivalries and remember some of the big games that have taken place against these teams,” McCarty explained.  “It is great to get those rivalries back here and to get the community excited about them.”

On Saturday November 3, fans will have their first opportunity to see the Purple Aces squad as they welcome New Mexico Highlands to the Ford Center for an exhibition contest.  The Cowboys are coached by a name that Aces fans are familiar with – Craig Snow.  Snow was a player for the program from 1997 through 2001 and played a large part in the 1999 team that went to the NCAA Tournament.

“It will be good to have Craig back home and I know he will be looking forward to this opportunity,” Coach McCarty said.  “He is doing a really good job out there.  This will be a good chance for us to get used to the new guys and new system.  It should be a fun contest.”

Regular season play begins with a pair of road games against some of the top competition in the nation – Illinois and Xavier.  Both contests are part of the Maui Mainland Tournament.  UE heads to Champaign on November 8 before heading to Cincinnati to take on the Musketeers two days later.  The Fighting Illini went 14-18 in 2017-18, their first under head coach Brad Underwood.  Former UE assistant Geoff Alexander is a member of Underwood’s staff.  The game will be the first meeting between the schools.

Xavier is coming off of an historic season that saw them record a 29-6 record on the way to being a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history.  Evansville last played against Xavier in 2013.

“We have to be ready to play early in the season as we kick off with a bang at Illinois and Xavier, two teams that have enjoyed great success,” McCarty exclaimed.  “This will be a huge challenge and large step up for us.  Myself and our coaching staff will have to make sure that our guys are prepared and ready to compete.”

Evansville will be home the weekend of Friday, Nov. 16 for a pair of home games that will be part of the Maui Mainland Tournament.  Those opponents and game dates will be announced soon.

A road trip to Ball State awaits the squad on Nov. 24 and is part of a unique setup that features an in-season home-and-home with the Cardinals.  BSU comes to the Ford Center for a game on Sunday, December 9.  The Cardinals won 19 games last season and are two years removed from a 21-win season and a berth in the 2017 CIT.  It will mark the first game between the schools in ten years.

“This is something a little different that you do not see teams do as often,” McCarty explained.  “We thought it would be good for us to play up there and in Evansville in the same year.  They have a good team returning and it should be a good in-state rivalry game.”

Next up is a home game against Wyoming in the MVC/Mountain West Challenge.  The Cowboys are led by head coach Allen Edwards, who along with McCarty, were teammates on the 1996 University of Kentucky National Championship Team.  Wyoming won 20 games last year.

UE begins the month of December with a home game on December 1 with the opponent to be announced at a later date.  Three days later, the Aces head to Jonesboro, Ark. to complete a series against Arkansas State.  The Red Wolves played Evansville in last season’s opener with the Aces earning a 77-63 triumph.

Ball State makes its return trip to the Ford Center on Dec. 9 before Jacksonville State comes to town on Saturday, Dec. 15.  The Gamecocks have enjoyed great success as of late, winning 43 games over the last two years after registering 8 victories in the 2015-16 campaign.  JSU won the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament in 2016 on their way to the NCAA Tournament before winning 23 games last season, including a pair of contests in the CBI.

Another OVC foe awaits UE on Dec. 18 as the Purple Aces head to Murray, Ky. to renew its rivalry against Murray State.  The Racers had a great year in 2017-18, going 26-6 overall and 16-2 in conference play.  They won the league championship to advance to the NCAA Tournament.  The Aces and Racers have met six times since 2011.

“A lot of people are excited about that game,” McCarty said in regards to getting MSU back on the schedule.  “We know Murray State has a great tradition with what they have done over the last few years.  They always have really good talent.”

Green Bay marks the final opponent before Christmas.  The Aces welcome the Phoenix to Evansville on Dec. 22.  The final non-conference game is set for Saturday, Dec. 30 as UE heads to Oxford, Ohio to play Miami.  This will mark the seventh meeting between the programs since 2009.

Coach McCarty knows that the schedule is challenging and explains how this will pay off for his squad as the 2018-19 season progresses into conference play.

“This schedule will get our guys really locked in and prepared to play,” he said.  “They are excited about the newness of the schedule, the offense and defense and the coaching staff, just everything we have done in the last 2-3 weeks.”

“They understand that we have to be ready to play and have to set a standard where we are playing good basketball every night.  Hopefully this helps them lock in and are in their best shape.”

Season tickets are currently on sale.  For more information, call or text 812-488-ACES.

2018 Non-Conference Schedule

Saturday, November 3 – New Mexico Highlands (exhibition) – Ford Center

Thursday, November 8 – at Illinois – Champaign, Ill.

Saturday, November 10 – at Xavier – Cincinnati, Ohio

Friday, November 16 through Sunday, November 18 – Maui Mainland Tournament (2 games at Ford Center)

Saturday, November 24 – at Ball State – Muncie, Ind.

Wednesday, November 28 – Wyoming – Ford Center

Saturday, December 1 – TBA – Ford Center

Tuesday, December 4 – at Arkansas State – Jonesboro, Ark.

Sunday, December 9 – Ball State – Ford Center

Saturday, December 15 – Jacksonville State – Ford Center

Tuesday, December 18 – at Murray State – Murray, Ky.

Saturday, December 22 – Green Bay – Ford Center

Sunday, December 30 – at Miami Ohio – Oxford, Ohio