When you think of basketball in the state of Indiana, you can feel the tradition that the sport has in this state.  Nobody embodies that tradition and appreciates it more than new University of Evansville assistant men's basketball coach Todd Lickliter.  The 2007 NABC Coach of the Year has been around the sport since he was a child and is excited to contribute to the basketball tradition at the University of Evansville.
 
"My father was a high school coach and that is what I grew up with.  I also grew up four miles from Hinkle Fieldhouse and saw Tony Hinkle coach when I was young," Lickliter explained.  "I look at it like this: If I were a surfer, I would want to be on the coast, if I were a basketball coach, I would want to be in Indiana.  There is good basketball everywhere, but it is special here."
 
So what is it that makes Indiana such a special place for the sport of basketball?  He says that it starts very early on and is important at every level.
 
"There is excellent high school coaching in Indiana.  The development of the players and understanding of the game by fans, coaches and players really create a love of the game," he said.  "This game is a team game.  All of us throughout campus and the entire Purple Aces community are on the same team.  I found that being a good teammate and being around good teammates was very satisfying.  The environment here at the University of Evansville lends itself to our guys having a very special bond."
 
In 2001, Lickliter assumed the head coaching position at Butler after working as an assistant under legendary head coaches Barry Collier and Thad Matta.  He took a look at some of the similarities that the UE program has to Butler before they began to make their run.
 
"This program has as much potential, without question.  The Purple Aces also have more tradition now than Butler did at that point, so the assets are in place for us to do something special," Lickliter said.  "The Missouri Valley Conference is a well-established league that is strong every year and our fan base here is second to none." 
 
The head coach at Butler between 2001 and 2007 faced UE on four occasions, earning the win in each of those games.  Despite being on the opposing bench, he could see just how much the UE program means to the community and how much it supports the Aces.  He knows that even more since joining the program last month.
 
"As an assistant, we are recognized in Evansville.  The community knows that we are not from Evansville, but are on the staff," he added.  "I believe the fans are excited for the impact that we can have in helping to build on Evansville's rich tradition.  It is so energizing to be around people who really care, understand and are supportive.  I have talked to my wife as we are making this transition and have told her how much she will enjoy the community and our fans."
 
He said that it was an easy decision to come to Evansville and it started with head coach Walter McCarty.
 
"First off, Evansville has a great person as the head coach, a person who really understands team chemistry starting with staff.  I know we are on the same page," he exclaimed.  "Both of us have worked with Brad Stevens and come from a similar background.  Second thing is a great university in a wonderful location.  The potential to be involved in something as special as this situation was something that I could not turn down and I am very thankful for the opportunity."
 
Between 2015 and 2018, Lickliter served as a scout for the Boston Celtics while McCarty was working as an assistant coach.  That is where the relationship started that led to the staff the Aces have today.
 
"Walter was on the coaching side and I was a scout, but was closer to the coaching staff than the majority of individuals who work in personnel.  They usually do not interact a whole lot, but my relationship with Brad allowed me to sit in on team meetings and coaching staff meetings when I was in Boston 4-5 times a year," Lickliter explained.  "I got to interact with Walter and also got to see him interact with others.  It made this decision so much easier because I had those experiences with Walter and always enjoyed my interactions with him.  I found him to be knowledgeable, sincere and engaging.  I am excited to be a member of his staff."
 
The resources that the university has at its disposal also made this a great opportunity.
 
"In basketball, you need a practice facility so high achievers can put the hours in and work out on their own.  When you have a facility that is available at all times, players learn how to manage their schedule.  They have the opportunity to be really good students and really good players, they just have to manage their time.  Having a practice facility demonstrates to our student-athletes that we are committed to their growth."
 
And if things could not be more appealing to Lickliter, he is now reconnected with Matthew Graves, who followed a similar path that Lickliter did at Butler.  Graves climbed the ladder from player to assistant to associate head coach with the Bulldogs before earning his first head coaching job at the University of South Alabama.  Graves joined the Aces staff in April.
 
"I am very thankful, he was a huge part of what we did at Butler from a player to a coach.  He sat on the bench and was a great resource in a pair of NCAA championship games," Lickliter said.  "He understands the team aspect and what we are all about.  He will bring a work ethic and knowledge base that is second to none.  When Walter said he was going to bring Matthew on board, I was ecstatic."

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