EVANSVILLE, Ind. – For the third game in a row, the University of Evansville men's basketball team will face an opponent for the first time in program history as the team welcomes SMU to the Ford Center for a 6 p.m. game on Monday. ESPN+ will have the broadcast with Preston Leinenbach and Marcus Wilson on the call.
Setting the Scene
- Since arriving to campus, UE head coach Walter McCarty has stressed the importance of improving the strength of the schedule
- Monday's game is a prime example of the types of games and series McCarty is looking at implementing for the Aces
- It is the first in a home-and-home series with the Mustangs and is the first time the programs have met on the hardwood
- Evansville and SMU each put their perfect 3-0 records on the line in the game
- SMU has faced one opponent this year that is also on the Aces schedule - Jacksonville State; in their opener, the Mustangs picked up a 74-65 win over the Gamecocks in their season opener
Last Time Out
- Less than 48 hours after earning a win on the floor of Rupp Arena, the Purple Aces were back home to face IU Kokomo
- The Cougars stayed with the Aces in the opening 10 minutes of the game before UE got in its groove and led by 15 at the half before taking the win by 18 points
- DeAndre Williams notched the first double-double of his Evansville career, tallying 23 points and 13 rebounds
- Arture Labinowicz was an efficient 7-8 from the floor to finish with 21 while John Hall scored 16
Leftovers from IU Kokomo
- Making the start in all three games this season, Jawaun Newton saw a career-high 26 minutes of work
- Evansville was outrebounded on the offensive glass by a 13-11 margin against IUK; the only time the Aces won that battle came against the top-ranked Wildcats as they finished with an 11-8 advantage
- In two home games, DeAndre Williams 24.