How Has Aces Basketball Fared Since the Kentucky Victory?

Many U of E basketball fans will keep that night of November 12, 2019 on the mantle above the fireplace like a cherished snow globe. They'll carefully take it down from time to time, give it a shake, and watch the snow settle and the 67-64 Aces victory over number one rated Kentucky light up the huge Rupp Arena scoreboard. They may even pass down the memory to younger family members. That was a night wasn't it?

So how has Evansville Basketball done since that exciting night? The night that Aces coach Walter McCarty outcoached (Calipari's word) Hall of Fame Kentucky coach John Calipari?

A couple of days after that magic night in Lexington, the Aces dispatched IU Kokomo 89-71 at the Ford Center and were starting to trend in the national polls.Then came a two point loss to SMU followed by a trip to the Islands of the Bahamas Showcase in Nassau.

The Aces may have enjoyed the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean, but they lost their first two games of the showcase to East Carolina 85-68 and George Washington 78-70 before edging Morgan State in OT 115-112. Maybe a trip back to Indiana and our welcoming freezing temps would get a winning streak started.

Back in the  USA --first came IUPU in Indianapolis and a 70-64 Aces win. Then back home to the Ford Center and a 90-86 squeaker over Eastern Illinois. The win streak continued as Miami of Ohio fell to UE at the Ford Center 101-84. So Evansville stands 7-3 right now.

If it took leaving 78 degree temperature in Nassau and coming back to the cold Hoosier state to get the Aces winning, they should fare very well this coming Saturday Dec 14th when they travel to Green Bay where the forecast calls for snow and 24 degrees. UPDATE Aces pick up win #8 by defeating Green Bay 72-62, Lose to Jacksonville State 59-85 and edge Murray State in OT 78-76 for a 9-4 record as they begin their Missouri Valley Conference schedule Dec 31 against Missouri State.

If in March we find Kentucky with a bid to the NCAA tournament (very likely) and if the Aces win the MVC and earn a bid (somewhat possible) the NCAA scheduling Gods will surely put them both in the same bracket and let 'em fight it out. That would be a re-match made for a big TV audience.