EVANSVILLE, Ind. – After moving up in the Missouri Valley Conference standings a season ago, the University of Evansville men's basketball team has its sights set even higher heading into the 2015-16 campaign.  Today, the Purple Aces found out the exact road it will take as the MVC portion of the schedule was released today.
 
"The Valley is going to be an extremely competitive league as always," head coach Marty Simmons said.  "There are so many great teams that you face night in and night out.  You never get a game off and that is what makes this league so great.  We are excited to be a part of it."
 
A visit by Indiana State begins the slate on December 30.  Evansville has won two of the last three home meetings against the Sycamores.  The first road trip is slated for January 2 when UE travels to Springfield, Mo. to face Missouri State.  On Wednesday, January 6, Evansville remains on the road, traveling to Wichita State.  Evansville is the last team to deal the Shockers a home loss in February of 2013.
 
Next up are a pair of home games with Bradley and Drake coming to the Ford Center.  UE has won eight of the last ten home meetings against those two opponents.  A road trip to Illinois State in a rare Friday conference contest is next on the schedule before Loyola comes to the Ford Center on January 19.
 
A pivotal stretch then awaits the squad as they take to the road to play its top area rivals – Indiana State and Southern Illinois.  Evansville travels to Terre Haute on Sunday, January 24 before going to SIU on January 28.  That weekend, UE welcomes the Shockers to the Ford Center in another Sunday tilt. 
 
For the second year in a row, the Aces face Wichita State and UNI in back-to-back contests as they travel to Cedar Falls to begin the month of February on the 3^rd.  Last season, UE's last two road games of the regular season were visits to Wichita and Cedar Falls.  The Aces have had success on the road versus UNI, winning two of the last four visits.
 
It is back home to face Missouri State on Saturday, February 6 before Evansville welcomes Illinois State to town on the 11^th.  Valentine's Day will see the Aces headed to Chicago for their annual visit to Loyola.  UE is undefeated in two MVC road tilts versus the Ramblers.  Three days later, the squad treks to Des Moines to play Drake.
 
Two of the last three games of the season will be at the friendly confines of the Ford Center, beginning on Saturday, Feb. 20 versus Southern Illinois.  Following a midweek trip to Bradley, UE wraps up the regular season at home against UNI on Saturday, Feb. 27.  In what is sure to be an emotional day, the team will honor seniors D.J. Balentine, Egidijus Mockevicius and Adam Wing.  The full TV schedule and game times will be released at a later date.
 
Season tickets are on sale now.  They can be purchased by calling 812-488-ACES or by visiting the ticket office at the Carson Center on the UE campus.  Single game tickets go on sale in October.
 
2015-16 MVC Schedule
Wednesday, December 30 – vs. Indiana State
Saturday, January 2 – at Missouri State
Wednesday, January 6 – at Wichita State
Saturday, January 9 – vs. Bradley
Tuesday, January 12 – vs. Drake
Friday, January 15 – at Illinois State
Tuesday, January 19 – vs. Loyola
Sunday, January 24 – at Indiana State
Thursday, January 28 – at Southern Illinois
Sunday, January 31 – vs. Wichita State
Wednesday, February 3 – at UNI
Saturday, February 6 – vs. Missouri State
Thursday, February 11 – vs. Illinois State
Sunday, February 14 – at Loyola
Wednesday, February 17 – at Drake
Saturday, February 20 – vs. Southern Illinois
Tuesday, February 23 – at Bradley
Saturday, February 27 – vs. UNI
 
March 3-6 – State Farm MVC Tournament