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 Shock Nation in Upsetting #22 UNI

Are you kidding me?  Aces fans, including me, were ready to throw this season to the wolves after the embarrassing loss to Illinois-Chicago in the Bracket Buster.  

I am a pretty optimistic fan when it comes to the Aces.  Even as I drove to the Stadium I didn’t give an upset over #22 Northern Iowa much of a chance.  However, I did type on my facebook page this afternoon:

Aces play their final home game tonight against #22 Northern Iowa. I hope the Aces can shock the nation tonight!

Shock the nation they did indeed.  I have been a fan of the Aces since they went to Division I.  There have been a lot of great upsets.  Purdue and DePaul come to mind in the 80s.  Oregon State in the Tournament, and the blizzard upset of #9 Creighton.  However, tonight’s 55-54 victory over #22 UNI has to rank right up there.  Especially considering the depleted roster, and so many freshmen and sophomores who are on the court most of the time.

I shot most of the game, but I was able to sneak the first 10 minutes up in the stands with my wife and son in the second half.  Even as the Aces lead grew to eleven, I was fearful of another painful loss.

However, the Aces refused to back down even as the Panthers made their run.  So many players stepped up to make this a total team effort.  Kavon Lacey was huge on offense.  He hit a three pointer when the Aces were struggling to find some offense.  Lacey finished with 11 points and 5 assists.  James Haarsma had the defensive play of the game against the MVC’s top player Adam Koch.  Haarsma took a charge against Koch fouling him out.  Pieter van Tongeren had two big-time baskets in the late stages, and Lacey sealed the victory at the free throw line.  The students rush the court and the Aces shocked the nation!

What a great move by head coach Marty Simmons in starting walk-on senior Trevor Gregory.  The Harrison product played well in three minutes and gave a great speech after the game.  He is the only senior on the team.

I just sent the highlights to ESPN and CNN so hopefully you will see them on the national networks.

Congrats to the Aces for not giving up and leaving Roberts Stadium for the final time as winners. 

Banged Up Aces Fight Hard at Illinois State

Aces head coach Marty Simmons and his staff did a great job tonight at Illinois State.  UE is without one of its best big men in Bryan Bouchie who quit, two other top players James Haarsma and Ned Cox were out due to injury (both are hoping to be back by SIU game on Saturday), and Kavon Lacey is playing on a bum knee.

Despite it all, the Aces busted their tails against an Illinois State team with a lot more firepower.  UE was in the game all night.

Coach Simmons refuses to make excuses, but I can.  It was going to be a hard enough year with the departures of Shy Ely, Jason Holsinger, Nate Garner, and no senior class. On top of that Kaylon Williams and CJ Erickson quit prior to the season.  Then you add Bouchie and the two injuries and I cannot imagine how hard it is to keep the team on course.  However, Marty has done so. 

6-10 (0-6) is not pretty.  No way around that.  However, that doesn’t make this Aces team any less prepared or hard working.

Don’t give up on these guys.  They are taking their lumps as freshmen, but it will pay off.

Bryan Bouchie Quits Aces Team

Bryan Bouchie is no longer on the University of Evansville basketball team. UE Sports Information Director Bob Boxell informs me that he is officially off the squad.

It's too bad.  I really thought he would be a force this year and perhaps lead the team in scoring.  For whatever reason it just wasn't a good fit.

The former Washington High School star begin his career with Valparaiso then transferred to Evansville after one year.

Watch interviews with Aces Head Coach Marty Simmons and guard Kavon Lacey below.