EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Despite being 4-0 at home this season, University of Evansville head men's basketball coach Walter McCarty knows that the Purple Aces have not played to their potential and is hoping that changes at 2 p.m. today when UE welcomes Ball State to the Ford Center.
 
McCarty explained his belief that the team is actually playing with more focus away from the Ford Center and hopes that
 
"On the road, we have actually played better aside from the Illinois game.  We have come out doing a good job and getting off to a good start, but we have had 3-4 minute stretches where we have not been so good and that has really come back to hurt us," he said.  "I do not think we have really played as well as we are capable of at home.  We have gotten off to slow starts for some reason and hopefully that changes on Sunday."
 
Evansville is familiar with the Cardinals as the teams squared off in Muncie just 15 days ago. UE made a late rally, cutting a 22-point deficit with under six minutes left to a final score of 82-72.  Shea Feehan had 19 points in the contest while John Hall and Marty Hill recorded 10 apiece.
 
"They (BSU) are a good basketball team, we learned that in the first game," McCarty said about Ball State.  "They are solid; a team that you have to beat because they will not beat themselves."
 
The key for the Cardinals was the trio of K.J. Walton, Kyle Mallers and Tahjai Teague, who accounted for 54 of their 82 points.  One of the main differences was the rebounding, which favored Ball State by a 42-30 final.  The Aces excelled in the second half, shooting 63% and outshot BSU by a 49.1%-47.6% tally for the game.
 
Marty Hill detailed how the Aces need to come out in order to pick up a big home win.
 
"Being at homes gives us some comfort, but we have to play better and be tough," Hill said.  "It starts in practice.  We have to focus in practice and that will translate to the game." 
 

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