Tickets - Game Notes - Live Stats
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – A true celebration of Purple Aces basketball is set for this weekend as the University of Evansville will play host to Southern Illinois in a 3 p.m. game on Saturday at the Ford Center.
This weekend, UE welcomes back the 1964-65 team that went a perfect 29-0 on its way to the program's fourth National Championship. An exhibit will be on display at the Evansville Museum while the team will also be doing a meet-and-greet with fans on Saturday and will also be at the game against Southern Illinois. Great tickets are still available by calling 812-488-ACES. You may also purchase before the game at the Ford Center.
When UE went undefeated, it was the Salukis who provided the top competition; the Aces topped SIU on three occasions, including the championship game. Those three victories came by a combined five points. Fans at the game are encouraged to pick up their free booklet honoring the team - they will be available at the Ford Center.
The Aces improved to 14-5 overall and 5-1 on the road with a 65-56 victory at Loyola on Wednesday evening. Blake Simmons led UE 13 points in the victory while Egidijus Mockevicius finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds en route to his 14th double-double of the season. Evansville trailed by as many as seven points in the first half and six in the second before utilizing a 21-5 run to push its way to the win. Its performance in the paint was pivotal as the Aces finished with a 40-20 edge in points down low while outrebounding Loyola by a 38-23 final.
Arad McCutchan, who was the famed UE coach who led the program to five National Championships, was known for wearing red socks to games. It started when his wife gave him red socks to wear to a game; after he did so, the team started winning and this became a routine. Eventually, the fans caught on and wore red to the games in support of Coach McCutchan. Current coach Marty Simmons brings that tradition back against SIU for the first time.
Evansville and Southern Illinois meet for the first time this season on Saturday at the Ford Center. The Salukis come to the Ford Center with a 9-11 mark and are 2-5 in the Valley; they started league play at 0-5, but have won the last two times out at home against Loyola and Bradley. Anthony Beane is the top scorer for SIU, posting 16.4 points per game; he finished with 16 last time out against the Braves. Sean O'Brien has notched 9.1 points per game while Jordan Carolina checks in at 9.0. Evansville native Jalen Pendleton notched 6 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds vs. the Braves.
If you are unable to make it to the Ford Center, you can watch the game on the MVC TV Network.
