Roberts Stadium was shined up and ready for basketball Tuesday afternoon, when the University of Evansville met the media and posed for the official team picture. Practice begins Friday, and the first exhibition game is on Halloween at 2:05 against the Hanover College Panthers.

Fans, mark your calendars for the first official Aces Basketball event, the annual University of Evansville Hoopfest, on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 6:30 at Roberts Stadium.

Below are media day notes as the Aces prepare for their third season under head coach Marty Simmons:

•Evansville in 2008-09 (1) produced its first winning season since 2000, (2) reached post-season play for the first time since 1999, and (3) finished the season with the nation’s eighth most improved RPI

•Head coach Marty Simmons was third in voting for MVC Coach of the Year, trailing only the two coaches whose teams shared first place

•The 2009-10 Aces are missing their top four scorers from last season, including MVC scoring leader Shy Ely.

•Returning players include Pieter van Tongeren, Kavon Lacey, James Haarsma, Clint Hopf, Denver Holmes and Trevor Gregory.

•New faces on the squad this season include junior Monie Hudson, sophomore Bryan Bouchie, and freshmen Andy Chinn, Ned Cox, Derek Johnson, Lewis Jones, Colt Ryan and Troy Taylor.

•Junior Kavon Lacey is ahead of schedule in his recuperation from knee surgery in May, and has been cleared by doctors to compete in practice drills. Sophomore James Haarsma has a stress fracture in his foot, and will most likely be sidelined at least through November. Freshman Derek Johnson had a loose kneecap repaired several weeks ago, and has been cleared to run and participate in shooting drills.

•There are two new faces on the basketball staff. Former all-MVC forward Chris Hollender returned to his alma mater this summer as an assistant coach after spending the past seven years as an assistant coach at West Point. Lafayette, Ind. native Carson Harris is the new director of basketball operations. He is a Manchester College graduate, and has coached at Manchester, Earlham and DePauw.

•The Aces’ schedule includes five consecutive home games to begin the season–exhibitions with Hanover and Kentucky Wesleyan, followed by Oakland City, SIU Edwardsville and Butler.

Dates To Remember

•Friday, October 16–First day of practice (Roberts Stadium 5:00)

•Tuesday, October 20–UE Women’s Basketball Media Day (Carson Center 3:30)

•Thursday, October 22–UE Hoopfest (Roberts Stadium doors open at 6:30; men’s and women’s introductions begin at 7:00; soft drinks, hot dogs & popcorn for $1 each; 3-Point Challenge; Intra-Squad Scrimmages; Slam Dunk Contest; Player Autographs)

•Tuesday, October 27–MVC Basketball Media Day (Sheraton City Center, St. Louis 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

•Saturday, October 31–Exhibition game vs. Hanover (Roberts Stadium 2:05)