Game Notes

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – After a pair of exhibition games, the University of Evansville men’s basketball team is ready to open up the regular season against Butler on Saturday at 2:05 p.m. at the Ford Center.
 
The Purple Aces open up their 93rd season of basketball on Saturday, playing host to in-state rival Butler. Evansville is 61-31 all-time in their openers and have won their last three. The Aces open up the Ford Center against the Bulldogs and look to bring their success from Roberts Stadium over to the new venue. In 55 seasons at Roberts, UE was 37-18 in home openers.
 
Evansville was a perfect 2-0 in exhibition play, taking an 81-52 win over DePauw before downing the University of Illinois-Springfield last weekend by a 74-61 margin. Kenneth Harris was the leading scorer for the Aces in the preseason, averaging 15.0 PPG, which included a game-high 17 points and 10 rebounds against the Prairie Stars.
 
Junior Colt Ryan established himself as one of the top players in the Missouri Valley Conference, averaging 15.7 PPG last season, third best in the league. For his efforts, he was named to the Preseason All- Conference Team for this season. As a sophomore, Ryan led the MVC in free throw percentage, hitting 87.4% of his attempts while his conversion rate of 40.6% from three-point range was fifth.
 
Butler is coming off of consecutive national championship game appearances and begin the season receiving votes in both polls. They are led by head coach Brad Stevens. The 35-year old has led BU to a 117-25 record in four seasons, including a 28-10 mark last year.
 
The Bulldogs lost their top two scorers from a season ago; Matt Howard and Shelvin Mack, but return eight letterwinners. Andrew Smith is their leading returning scorer, averaging 8.5 PPG a season ago.
 
Following the opener, the Aces will be right back in action on Wednesday, playing host to Indiana at the Ford Center.  Fans are reminded that for both the Butler and IU games, the doors to the Ford Center will open 90 minutes prior to tip.