NCAA BK

Evansville Getting Inside

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Updated Dec 4, 2009 10:03 AM ET
     
 


An exhibition game loss to Division II Kentucky Wesleyan proved what most thought -- this was going to be a long year for coach Marty Simmons and the Purple Aces. Yet through the first five games, Evansville has shown it will be competitive on many nights and also will be on the short end of some lopsided scores.

After losing three starters to graduation and guard Kaylon Williams to transfer, Evansville's only returning starter was 6-11 junior Pieter van Tongeren, who averaged all of 4.8 points per game last season. The Aces were pegged to finish last in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll. It was hard to argue with that conclusion.

Evansville may be short on experience, but the Aces have proven not to be quite the pushover they were assumed. They took Butler, then ranked No. 10, to the wire on Nov. 21 before losing, 64-60. But seven days later, the Aces went on the road and were blasted by Miami (Ohio), 82-58. It could be that kind of up-and-down season.

Hustling sophomore forward James Haarsma, who played more minutes than van Tongeren last season, has become the Aces' leader with 14.6 points and 8.0 rebounds through games of Dec. 1. Freshman guard Colt Ryan has been a godsend with 14.2 points per game, while Valparaiso transfer Bryan Bouchie has come off the bench and been a spark with a 12.0 scoring average.

The Purple Aces should still find the improved Missouri Valley Conference to be a challenge. Yet, after posting its first winning season in nine years last season, all is not entirely lost for Simmons' crew.
Tagged: Evansville

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