EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Forward thinking, present focused.  That is a blueprint that may be applicable to all of our lives in 2020.  It is that same blueprint, which University of Evansville head men's basketball coach Todd Lickliter has used since taking the reins of the Purple Aces program in January.
 
Shortly after his rejoining the UE squad, Lickliter expressed that sentiment as the foundation for building a championship program.  His staff was using every practice and game to implement their system.  Now – nearly ten months later – those same words pave a path forward as the team aims for a return to the floor very soon.
 
"We just want to be the best team we can be while working in the safest environment.  Our top priority is the health of our student-athletes and from there, we work on implementing a system and an approach that make us the best team that we can possibly be," Lickliter stated.
 
After his arrival on the UE bench, it did not take long for the results to show.  The individual performances of almost every Aces player improved as the season made its way down the homestretch.  He and his staff worked on introducing just a little bit of their system at a time.  That was the "present focus" – improving one day at a time.  Maybe it was one thing or possibly 10 things – but everyone left the gym feeling better than the day before.  Add all of that up and that is where the "future thinking" comes in.  It is having that championship mindset every day. 
 
"Our focus is the present – understanding what today's priorities are – then we check our progress in relationship to our championship blueprint," Lickliter explained.  "And it is nice when we see the evidence of our efforts paying off.  It is encouraging to see how much was grasped."
 
"As I have mentioned, we greatly benefited from the head start that we received by not waiting and allowing me to begin my tenure mid-way through conference season last year," he detailed.  "Team members are receiving reinforcement not only from the coaching staff, but from one another, and that is how a program is built."
 
Navigating through a pandemic is something that none of us have had to deal with before.  Every day presents new challenges, but those challenges are also an opportunity.  There is no instruction guide for what to do in every situation.  When it comes to college basketball – the same is true.  So how have the Aces worked through the first month of practice?  Lickliter explained.
 
"Our goal is to maintain a steady approach to teaching the proper techniques that lead to individual growth and team concepts that lead to unity.  This requires maximizing our practice time with a goal of being at our best by the start of conference season."
 
"Practicing through COVID is an added challenge but I am thankful that we have such a strong staff who can teach, mentor and seize the moment," UE's coach explained.  "We realize this environment is a big adjustment for our players, but we have been impressed with how they have adapted during this difficult time."
 
Lickliter credits the returners with setting a really good tone that has helped the newcomers make the adjustment to the Evansville way. 
 
"I am really pleased with the way our returning players have progressed.  I believe they have embraced what we are asking them to do and their example has really helped the new guys to adjust and grow on and off the court.  I could not be more pleased with the way our team has been coming together as a whole."
 
While Evansville fans have a great deal of familiarity with the returners on the UE squad, Coach Lickliter gives us an inside look at the new guys who will be taking to the floor in 2020 along with how his staff eva2luates potential student-athletes.
 
"Newcomers on our team are having to adapt to a new environment with new demands as far as how they play the game.  I tell them all the time that they are here to play Evansville basketball," Lickliter outlined.  "When you recruit, you evaluate an individual's academic and athletic potential along with his positive character traits.  We are looking for the best possible fit for UE.  When they arrive, our staff will work to help them blend their talents with their teammates, while using our approach and techniques.  I feel like the new guys have fit in very well; they complement each other and our returners in a very positive way and give us several different options on the floor."
 
"Jax (Levitch) has a great attitude and brings skill, experience and leadership to our team.  He is an excellent addition.  Iyen (Enaruna) is a versatile, skilled big that can not only protect the rim, but get to the rim on the offensive end.  He has a very high ceiling and I foresee him developing into a true stretch five.  I have been really impressed with Trey (Hall) and Alex (Matthews).  They are well beyond freshmen when it comes to their coachability.  They complement their teammates and are very team-oriented.  I think they have terrific careers ahead of them because they are good now and they are only going to get better.  Emmette (Page) is a scoring point guard who can play on or off the ball.  Samari (Curtis) is an offensive threat who can score, but what I see in him is the potential to guard at least three positions; he has the potential to be an outstanding defender."
 
With a talented combination of youth and experience, the Purple Aces are eager for the moment they make their return.  Things are obviously a little different than in early March when the team walked off the floor at Arch Madness in St. Louis.  This offseason was unlike any other, but there is a great deal of optimism moving forward.  As Lickliter puts it – one of the most important aspects of this team throughout the offseason and moving forward is each team member's willingness to operate with a team-first mentality.
 
"In life, you always want to make things enjoyable.  There are situations where you have to beg people to do just the minimum requirements.  I come into the gym each day knowing that will never be the case with these guys.  It is truly a joy to practice with them and to see them embrace what you ask of them, then to come in the next day and witness their continued progress," Lickliter expressed.  "We are seeing growth with our guys all the time – that is an important trademark of our program.  It is not just about basketball – it is about the classroom, community and preparing our guys for life after college."
 
While the initial portion of the season at the Ford Center will not have the usual fan presence, Lickliter wanted to finish by expressing a message to Evansville's loyal fanbase.
 
"Even though we will not be together, our fans will be in our hearts every time we are on the floor," he exclaimed.  "We know they are behind us and their support is invaluable.  The fans are such an important part of the Evansville tradition and we eagerly look forward to the time when it is safe to reunite."
 

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