ST. LOUIS – With over 96% of its offensive output from last season back on the floor in 2014, the University of Evansville men's basketball team is ready to roll come November.  Today, we look forward to January as the Missouri Valley Conference has released the 2015 slate for its 10 teams.
 
The Valley looks to be one of the top leagues once again with plenty of firepower coming from each one of its squads.  The MVC sent four teams to the postseason in 2014, led by Wichita State.  The Shockers went a perfect 34-0 in the regular season before falling to eventual national runner-up Kentucky.  Indiana State was the league's representative in the NIT while Illinois State (CBI) and Missouri State (CIT) also advanced to postseason play.
 
"The Missouri Valley Conference is set up to be as tough as ever," Purple Aces head coach Marty Simmons said.  "Anytime you have a team like Wichita State coming off of an undefeated regular season, it brings a lot of excitement to the schedule.  From top to bottom, our league is one of the best in the country and this season will be no different."
 
After spending last New Year's in Des Moines, Iowa, the Purple Aces will be at home this year, taking on UNI at the Ford Center on Thursday, January 1.  Evansville has faced either UNI or Drake on New Year's Day in three of the last four seasons.  The first conference road trip for UE comes on the 4^th when the Aces head north on 41 to Terre Haute to take on Indiana State.
 
Loyola marks the next opponent as the Ramblers head to downtown Evansville on Wednesday, January 7.  The Aces completed the season sweep over Loyola last season in the Ramblers' inaugural run through the MVC.  Evansville takes to the road on January 10 and 14 where it faces Bradley and Missouri State, respectively.
 
Three of the next four games come at home, beginning with a pivotal matchup against defending league champion Wichita State.  The Aces host the Shockers on Saturday, January 17.  Following a trip to Loyola on the 21^st, UE returns home to play Southern Illinois (1/24) and Indiana State (1/27).
 
February begins with the annual trip to Normal, Ill. to face Illinois State on the 3rd.  Another crucial stretch follows as the Aces have three out of four games at home before finishing with two out of three on the road.  A home game against Bradley opens the stretch on 2/7 before UE plays host to Missouri State three days later. 
 
Valentine's Day will see Evansville head over to Carbondale, Ill. to take on SIU before coming home on the 17^th to face Drake.  One of the toughest stretches comes over the next four days as the Aces face Wichita State on the road on Sunday, Feb. 22 before heading northeast to Cedar Falls, Iowa to take on UNI in the final road game on Feb. 25.
 
The home slate wraps up on the 28^th as UE takes on Illinois State in the regular season finale.  The last time the Redbirds played at UE in the home finale came in 2011 as ISU faced Evansville in the final game at Roberts Stadium.
 
Evansville also announced its exhibition contests.  UE opens up the preseason with a home tilt versus McKendree on Nov. 1 before the Aces host Wabash on the 8^th.
 
Times for all games will be released at a later date.
 
2015 MVC Schedule
Thurs. Jan. 1 – UNI
Sun. Jan. 4 – at Indiana State
Wed. Jan. 7 – Loyola
Sat. Jan. 10 – at Bradley
Wed. Jan. 14 – at Missouri State
Sat. Jan. 17 – Wichita State
Wed. Jan. 21 – at Loyola
Sat. Jan. 24 – Southern Illinois
Tues. Jan. 27 – Indiana State
Sat. Jan. 31 – at Drake
Tues. Feb. 3 – at Illinois State
Sat. Feb. 7 – Bradley
Tues. Feb. 10 – Missouri State
Sat. Feb. 14 – at Southern Illinois
Tues. Feb. 17 – Drake
Sun. Feb. 22 – at Wichita State
Wed. Feb. 25 – at UNI
Sat. Feb. 28 – Illinois State