MURRAY, Ky. – As tip approaches inside the CFSB Center, the Purple Aces men's basketball team faces a big test against Murray State.  The Racers pose one of the top defenses in the nation, leading the NCAA in 3-point defense (20.5%) while allowing the opposition to shoot just 35.1% from the field, second in the country.
 
The University of Evansville is coming off of a tough game against Jacksonville State where the Gamecocks held the Aces to just 50 points on 30.8% shooting.  It was one of those games where the shots were going in and out of the basket for UE. 
 
While many would have a negative tone following the game, head coach Walter McCarty and his UE squad grabbed several positives from the game and turned it into one of their best practices on Sunday.
 
"I think they feel really good.  We had one of our best practices on Sunday; during the JSU game, we played a really good game, especially defensively," McCarty said.  "We hit all of our goals and I could not be upset about the game after watching it again that night and watching it again the next morning.  I kinda laughed to myself saying that we held a team to 55 points and lost, if you cannot make shots, you will not beat anyone." 
 
McCarty brings so much confidence to the court each time he walks on and that attitude is picked up by his players.  He also has confidence in their abilities and says that he would not change anything about Saturday's game.
 
"I would definitely take all of the shots we took on Saturday again; we had great shots.  I don't think we played the pace we wanted as far as getting those shots, but it's a lesson," he explained.  "We have to come out and play the way we are supposed to play, I thought we held onto the ball a little longer at times; we just did not move the ball like we usually do".
 
Evansville faces one of the top players in the nation in Ja Morant.  He leads Murray State in points (22.3), rebounds (6.8) and assists (9.5) per game.  With under an hour left until game time, there are at least 21 NBA scouts in attendance.
 
The Aces look to shift that focus and look to build on Saturday's defensive performance against JSU while knowing that the shots will start to fall.
 
"We came out and had a great practice on Sunday and it will be imperative for us to go down there Tuesday night and play with pace; our guys are ready!"
 

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