The last time Creighton faced Evansville, they were on a weekend road trip at the beginning of conference season and put the Bluejays at an early 4-1 mark while Evansville sat at 1-4. The Bluejays’ confidence appeared to be riding high and a strong conference season was well ahead of them.
Since then Creighton has been inconsistent at best, losing five of the next seven games including giving Bradley their first conference win on Tuesday. The Purple Aces, on the other hand, have turned everything around and have won 6 of their last 7 games, including a current 4-game winning streak. Their last win came Wednesday against league leader Missouri State, and they pulled off the home victory without their top rebounder and second leading scorer.
We checked in with columnist Randy Beard of the Evansville Courier & Press to help us get caught up on the what’s been going on with the Purple Aces these past few weeks.
White & Blue Review: Since Evansville and Creighton played earlier in the season, the Aces have gone on to win 6 of their last 7. What has been the major change since that game?
Randy Beard: Confidence. Marty Simmons has said all along that for the Aces to be successful this season, they needed to get quality minutes from the bench. They had it at times in the non-conference schedule, but it’s really kicked in over the last three weeks.
When players like Colt Ryan and Kenneth Harris have had tough shooting nights, or gotten into foul trouble, the Aces have had players like Ned Cox, Troy Taylor and, lately, Lewis Jones, step up. They’ve also gotten better offensive production in the post from Pieter van Tongeren and Clint Hopf.
Ryan has only had two big scoring nights in the last seven games — 19 at Illinois State and 23 vs. Southern Illinois. He only had two points in the road win at Indiana State, a game in which Harris only had four points, and yet the Aces dominated the second half.
WBR: Colt Ryan seemed unstoppable last season as a freshman and even parts of this season, but went through some struggles during this winning streak. What has caused his numbers to look so different recently?
RB: Mostly, he’s just gotten a lot of defensive attention, especially from behind the arc. Teams have gambled that if they can stop him, they can beat UE. But Colt would be the first to tell you that he’s also been in a bit of a shooting slump. He came out of it in the second half against SIU, hitting 3 of 5 3-pointers. He’s also had some shots blocked trying to drive to the rim more.
What has pleased Simmons is that Colt has made contributions in other areas. He’s had at least five rebounds in four of the last seven games and he’s made nine steals over the last two games. He also had six assists against Missouri State.
WBR: Kenneth Harris recently suffered a concussion keeping out of Wednesday’s game against Missouri State. What is his status for Saturday?
RB: Simmons said Harris is listed as questionable, but I think he will play. He participated on a limited basis in a practice the players held on Thursday without the coaches. He still has to be cleared for any contact by the team doctor.
WBR: What kind of expectations are there for the Evansville basketball team by the fans and are those expectations being met?
RB: Most UE fans want to see the team be competitive every season in the Valley and have a shot at some form of postseason, even if it isn’t the NCAA or NIT. For a school with only 2,500 students and high academic standards, the sensible fans understand that the Aces’ best shot is to recruit good players, develop them over four years and attempt to compete for a conference title every few seasons.
There are some who are still living in the past and long for the days of the five national championships at what is now the D2 level (formerly the college division). The irrational ones don’t understand why the Aces can’t compete on even footing with Top 25 teams every year.
WBR: Marty Simmons looks like a totally different man this season. What did he do in the offseason to lose the weight that he has and the ability to keep it off once basketball season has been in full swing?
RB: He and his wife are under a strict exercise and diet regimen. They get advice and a meal plan from a nutritionist and are now running three miles every morning.
WBR: What is something that Creighton can take advantage of on Saturday that Evansville has had problems with all season?
RB: They still aren’t a strong rebounding team, so second chance opportunities have hurt them at times.
WBR: Where do you see the Aces finishing in the conference race when all is said and done? Do you think they will do enough to get some kind of postseason opportunity?
RB: I thought in the preseason they had a shot at winning 6 or 7 conference games, and they’ve already done that. If they keep playing as well as they have been recently, I can see them winning at least 9 or 10 MVC games. As for the postseason, they only have to win two more games to finish at least .500 on the season. I think that if they win at least three more league games, they’ll get a bid to one of fringe tournaments like the CollegeInsider or CBI.
WBR: Can you give us an update on the new Evansville downtown arena? Is there anything specifically being done to accommodate Evansville University sports in the facility since they will be tenants there?
RB: It will open in October, so they’ll be playing there next season. Both the men and women teams will have locker rooms reserved for their use with the kind of logos and signage they have at Roberts Stadium. There will be a new floor, but it will also be marked with UE logos, etc. And I’m told the history displays that are on the concourse at Roberts and the banners that hang inside over the court will be moved to the new arena.
WBR: What is your final prediction? Will the Aces continue their winning ways?
RB: I’m more of a believer now after the win over Missouri State and the road win at Indiana State. The Aces could be a dangerous team in the MVC tournament, capable of pulling an upset or two.