Aces Ranked High Nationally in Several Categories

As I sit to write an entry about Aces basketball, I realize that the season has been as unique as a 60 degree day in February. From the wild victory against Butler in the opener, to the heart-breaking banked in three point buzzer beater loss at Illinois State, to the 39 point outburst by Colt Ryan, or the seven dunks on Wednesday night in a 30 point win at Bradley, we have seen it all.

With seven regular season games to go, our Aces are all evened up. UE is 11-11 overall and 6-6 in the rugged MVC. The Valley is the 7th ranked conference this year. That is one notch higher than the PAC-12 (a BCS Conference).

Friday morning on campus, someone asked me how good is Colt Ryan. I thought about it for a moment and realized that I did not have 30 minutes to give her a thorough answer. So I summed it up in a simple way. I said, “Colt is so good that on Wednesday he had 24 points and it wasn’t even a big deal.” Oh, by the way, Colt also had a 3.9 grade point average this Fall semester.

Colt and the coaching staff would be quick to point out that the team is always first, and rightfully so. Against Bradley, the guys were so unselfish that they recorded an amazing 31 assists on 41 made field goals. Denver Holmes had 11 helpers on his own.

It’s a privilege for me to be around these guys so much. I have been with them at games, at practice, at meals, at hotels, and through gut-wrenching losses and exhilarating wins. I can assure you that they are a team in every way. They are always there for their teammates whether it is on or off the court.
 
I challenge you, the fans, to support these young men by cheering them on down the stretch during these final four games at the Ford Center.  Let’s make it a February to remember.  After we play at Southern Illinois this afternoon, we are back at home against #12 Creighton. Be loud and proud for a special bunch of kids!

How special? Look how well we rank nationally among all 344 Division I programs:

Turnover Margin	9th	4.6
Free Throw Percentage	10th	76.3%
Assists	27th	15.8/game
Three Point Percentage	33rd	.385
Assist to Turnover Ratio	35th	1.21
Team Scoring	42nd	75.1 ppg
Individual
Scoring - Colt Ryan	9th	21.2 ppg
Free Throws - Denver Holmes	35th	88%

Listen to Colt Ryan's Career-High 39 Points vs. Bradley

Aces junior Colt Ryan was nearly unstoppable as he poured in a career-high 39 points at home in the Ford Center against Bradley.  UE won the game 90-67.  Below is the audio call as well as my interview with Colt after the game:

WUEV Radio Call.  Lance Wilkerson/Aaron Hancock

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Here is video highlight package from UE student Braden Pretzsch:

Listen to My Call of the Aces Thrilling Win at Butler

It was a privilege and a thrill to call the Aces victory at #23 Butler on 91.5 FM WUEV.  I am so happy for the players and staff who have worked so hard.  It is one of UE's greatest wins this decade.

Here are some of the highlights as I called them courtside at Hinkle Fieldhouse.  If you listen closely I think you might be able to tell which team I grew up following since I was a little kid.

Congrats Aces!

Highlights of Aces at Butler 11.27.10

Aces Colt Ryan Voted as Top Mid-Major Freshman

A few days ago Aces guard Colt Ryan was named first team all-american in the mid-major group, he gets an even greater honor this afternoon.  Collegeinsider.com names Ryan as the best Freshman Mid-Major player in the country.  Congrats to Colt.  Here is official release from UE:

It was nice that CollegeInsider.com chose the University of Evansville's Colt Ryan earlier this week for its 20-man Mid-Major Freshman All-America Team.  That's nothing compared to today's honor, however.  CollegeInsider.com has chosen Ryan as the best of the 20, selecting the 6'5" guard/forward from Batesville, Indiana as its Mid-Major Freshman of the Year.  Those eligible include all players from non-BCS schools.

"I saw the list of the 20 players a couple days ago, and there's a lot of talent in that group," Ryan said.  "For them to see me as the top player, that's a great honor.  Getting recognized like that makes me want to work even harder in the weight room and in our games during the off-season."

Ryan became the first freshman since Marcus Wilson in 1996 to lead the Purple Aces in scoring, averaging 14.5 points per game.  That was the second highest scoring average in the Missouri Valley Conference.  He was the MVC's highest scoring freshman in the past 10 years with 435 points, and he easily shattered Jason Holsinger's University of Evansville freshman scoring record.  Ryan ranked among the MVC's top 10 most of the season in steals and assists, and his 4.4 rebounds per game were the third most on UE's team. He was also chosen as the only freshman on the five-man MVC All-Newcomer Team, which included one senior and three juniors.

"That's a great honor for Colt, and a well-deserved one," according to Coach Marty Simmons.  "Colt has a combination of outstanding skills and very keen basketball knowledge.  He has also become a leader on our team, which speaks for the respect that his teammates have for him."

Aces Colt Ryan Makes Mid-Major All-Frosh Team

Photo Courtesy UE More honors for Aces freshman standout Colt Ryan.  Colt has a great future in store and all of the awards he has won have been well deserved.  Here is the official release from UE.  Congrats to Cole!

University of Evansville basketball player Colt Ryan, the Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year, has been chosen for the 2010 CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Freshmen All-America team.  The 20-man team includes players who attend non-BCS schools.

Ryan led Evansville and finished second in the Missouri Valley Conference in scoring with a 14.5 average.  The 6'5" forward/guard from Batesville, Indiana was the MVC's highest scoring freshman in the past 10 years with 435 points.  He easily shattered Jason Holsinger's University of Evansville freshman scoring record, and became the first freshman since Marcus Wilson in 1996 to lead the Purple Aces in scoring.

Ryan ranked among the MVC's top 10 most of the season in steals and assists, and his 4.4 rebounds per game were the third most on UE's team. He was also chosen as the only freshman on the five-man MVC All-Newcomer Team, which included one senior and three juniors.

http://www.collegeinsider.com/awards/2010_midmajor_freshmen.html

2010 CollegeInsider.com Freshman All-America Team:

Karon Abraham...5-9...Robert Morris
Isaiah Canaan...5-11...Murray State
Will Cherry...6-1...Montana
Ian Clark...6-3...Belmont
Robert Covington...6-8...Tennessee State
Matthew Dellavedova...6-4...Saint Mary's
Chris Fouch...6-2...Drexel
Greg Gantt...6-2...Florida Atlantic
Ashley Hamilton...6-7... Loyola Marymount
Luke Hancock...6-5...George Mason
Allen Huddleston...6-1...Pacific
Kyle Smyth...6-4...Iona
J.P. Kuhlman...6-3...Davidson
Warren Niles...6-4...Oral Roberts
Colt Ryan...6-5...Evansville
Jauwan Scaife...6-2...Ball State
Robert Smith...6-0...Santa Clara
Gene Teague...6-9...Southern Illinois
Julian Welch...6-3...UC Davis
Chaz Williams...5-9...Hofstra

MVC Tournament Preview Podcast with Brandon Gaudin

A season to forget could turn into a season to remember this week in St. Louis for the Evansville Aces.  UE is by far playing its basketball heading into Arch Madness.

Despite being the ten seed, the Aces have won three of five in the MVC including wins against the top two teams Northern Iowa and Wichita State as well as a road victory at Drake.

I went out to practice today to interview the guys.  Easily this was the best mood I have seen the team all season.  Everyone was cutting up with smiles on their faces, even Coach Marty Simmons. 

One particular moment struck me when I was talking with Freshman Ned Cox.  I asked him about the dream of winning 4 games in 4 days and making it to the NCAA Tournament.  Ned's face literally lit up and he smiled.  That glimpse on his face really gives you an insight of what the post-season means to the players.

I am very happy for freshman Colt Ryan for getting MVC freshman of the year.  That is the first time a UE player has won that award.  I thought Ned Cox should have also made the all-freshman team.  Denver Holmes is the MVC Most-Improved player.

This team has worked really hard.  The Aces have had so much adversity this year with player departures and injuries.  Their bench is depleted, yet the coaching staff has them at the top of their game, and are a team that no one wants to face right now.

The Aces first game is against Missouri State.  Cuonzo Martin has done a great job with the Bears.  MSU has defeated UE both times.  Every player we talked to emphasized rebounding and physical play being the key.

Aces radio play by play broadcaster and one of my good friends Brandon Gaudin did a report for NEWS 25 on the MVC.  After that, Brandon and I went to the WUEV 91.5fm radio studio to record a MVC Preview podcast.  I hope Aces and MVC fans enjoy:

MVC Preview Podcast

Aces MVC Tournament Preview

Aces Shock Wichita for First MVC Win

I couldn’t be happier for the Aces.  After losing 14 straight games, a lot of teams would quit on the season.  UE has practiced harder the past couple of weeks than any other time of the year.  It paid off tonight as Evansville stuns Wichita State 65-62.

The Aces were aggressive all night getting to the free throw line 30 times and knocking down 25 free ones.  James Haarsma led UE in scoring with 18 points and 7 rebounds.  Denver Holmes added 17, and Colt Ryan hit two critical free throws with 7.5 seconds left in the game.

Head Coach Marty Simmons and all of his assistants put in long hours each and every day.  It is nice to see them have some success. 

Haarsma told me after the game that they are going to bust their tails for the final five games, then focus on making noise in the MVC tournament.

Here is my sportscast of the highlights and the post-game.  I had to fly back in the snow and edit like a maniac.  I barely made it on the air.  You could tell I was a bit out of breath!  I wanted to make sure to give the guys their due props after the win.

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