Team Previews

[Majik45]

If you're chomping at the bit for some basketball, Bradley played their Red-White Scrimmage yesterday and broadcast it on youtube. It was originally supposed to be on Saturday, but a player was experiencing some mild symptoms so they postponed it a day to make sure they did not have a positive test. Anyway, you can watch the replay here if you're curious about Bradley's new players (3 D1 Transfers).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STyhsti5I0A

Sorry, appears Bradley took the video down. Must not want other's scouting them.

[purple&orange]

Evansville- #2019KentuckyStateChampions

2019-2020 Review: 9-4 in the non-conference with wins over #1 Kentucky at Rupp Arena and Murray State. Between Christmas and New Years then Head Coach Walter McCarty was put on administrative leave due to Title XI accusations. After almost a month, McCarty was fired and Todd Lickliter was named head coach, no interim tag. The Aces lost all 18 conference games and the 7-10 game at Arch Madness, finishing at 9-23.

Coaching Staff: Todd Lickliter is in his first full season at Evansville. Lickliter had success at Butler before coaching at Iowa and Marian U (NAIA-Indianapolis). Was an assistant at UE in 2018-19 before stepping down in the fall of 2019. Logan Baumann is the only returning on the floor coach from last season. Joining the staff this season are two former Butler players. Thomas Jackson was a senior on Lickliter's first squad and leads Butler all time in assists and steals. Following a 12 year career in Europe, Jackson has been an assistant in the G-League the previous three seasons. Brandon Crone is the final assistant and was Team MVP in 2006-07. Following a three year career in Europe Crone won a state title at Park Tutor HS and for the last six seasons was on staff at Butler as their Coordinator of Basketball Operations.

Roster Turnover: Evansville had six players not return this season. KJ Riley was a senior and graduated. Junior Artur Labinowicz graduated and is playing professionally in Poland. Freshman Marcus Henderson transferred to a D-II school in Florida. Junior John Hall is a grad transfer at Portland State this season. Freshman DeAndre Williams transferred to Memphis. Finally, Senior to be Sam Cunliffe is no longer at UE, he has elected to sit the season out due to COVID.

General Outlook: The last 12 months haven't been great to Evansville basketball. This is a roster with a lot of new face and those who return look to take on new and greater roles. The last month/month and a half of the season saw Evansville close in many games, yet a conference win eluded them. Under McCarty the Aces wanted to play fast, take the first shot, look for the 3. Lickliter's teams have been a lot more plodding traditionally. I believe this group will play closer to Lickliter's preference, with an emphasis on limiting turnovers and defense. This is a rebuild from almost the ground up, but there is some optimism based on how the last few games went that the team will be improved and more competitive. With that optimism is the realization that Evansville will be a bottom four squad again, playing on Thursday in STL.

Starters
5. Shamar Givance, 5-10 Sophomore PG: Givance is quick and led the league in assist/turnover ratio last season. Will take the open 3 if given. Can get to the rim with his quicks but struggles to finish at times in space around much bigger players.

30. Noah Frederking, 6-4 Senior SG: Shooter, although went through a prolonged slump last season. Has gotten better on defense, but not explosive or quick with his feet. Does a good job off the ball using the threat of a shooter to cut to the rim for layups.

3. Jawaun Newton, 6-3 Junior SG: Has made his mark more on the defensive end the first two seasons. Was a scorer in high school and can shoot the three but can guard multiple positions on the floor. Has a knack for taking charges, good passer.

23. Tre Hall, 6-7 Freshman SF: Perhaps a little hopeful but the Connecticut native had looks from Penn State, St. John's before going to prep school. Stayed with Evansville after the coaching change. At his size he can run the floor and shoot it. Not sure how ready he is to step in right away but at his size, Evansville will need him to get minutes.

10. Evan Kulhman, 6-8 Senior PF: Stretch 4 who came on the last half of league play last season. Seems to have finally found the defined role. Like Frederking, this is the 3rd head coach in 4 years (4th if you count the interim Seltzer for 6 games).

41. Samari Curtis, 6-4 Sophomore SG: Transfer from Nebraska who will be eligible at semester. 2019 Mr. Basketball in Ohio who averaged 33.8 pts/7.3 reb/5.2 assists as as senior in high school. Should be the Aces best player come mid-December.

31. Iyen Enaruna, 6-9 Junior PF: Juco transfer from Kansas who averaged 12.2pts/8.2 rebs last season. I suspect he or Hall will join Kulhman in the frontcourt as a starter.

Yes, 7 potential starters......outside of Curtis snagging a spot once 1st semester ends, I'm speculating on the Hall/Enaruna spots and I could be wrong, it could be Levitch from the bench section as well.

Bench
1. Emmette Page, 6-2 Junior G: JUCO transfer from Nebraska who set the school scoring record. Averaged 21.9 pts last season. Release touts both shooting percentage and free throw, nothing about the 3 point percentage. Guessing that makes Page more of a slasher/KJ Riley mode but that's speculation on that one fact.

11. Thomasi Gilgeous-Alexander, 6-5 Redshirt Freshman G: Saw action in 3 games last season, medically reshirted. TGA is long and was lean coming into his freshman season. Due to injuries didn't see much last season but could be a key player for the Aces with his size at the guard/wing spot.

24. Alex Matthews, 6-5 Freshman G: 2020 Gatorade Player of the Year in Kentucky. Averaged 23.5 pts/10.6 rebounds as a senior. Was a late add to the class.

2. Jax Levitch, 6-7 Grad Transfer F: Transfer from UNC-Asheville after spending two seasons at IPFW. Started every game as a sophomore at FW, averaging 5.5 pts/4.1 rebs. Has one season left.

42. Peace Ilegomah, 6-9 Senior C: Pitt transfer who was eligible at semester last season. Rarely saw meaningful minutes, more of a true back to the basket post. Chances are he won't see a ton of minutes this year either but with the likelyhood of a slower pace offensively, that has to give Peace a better chance.

Walkons
4. Devan Straub, 6-2 Senior G: Saw some time on occasion, typically late in the first half to protect someone with fouls. Hit a couple threes at Missouri State in 2018-19 when inserted. Local kid who probably won't see meaningful minutes but did under McCarty a time or two.

0. Gage Bobe, 6-0 Sophomore G: Only mop up action


Review
Evansville has been through a lot on an off the court in the last year or so. This team shouldn't content for a top seed by any stretch but this is the group that will set the foundation for the Lickliter era at Evansville. These Aces would benefit from a non-conference schedule this year greatly, using it to define roles and find out which pieces can contribute at the D-I level. The returning players all have to make a jump for the Aces to compete night in and night out and get some help from multiple incoming players. This is not a complete rebuild, but it's not far off. The biggest and perhaps only win in 2020 for the Aces is with Todd Lickliter running the program they have someone who had success building a program at Butler, but more importantly a stability that the team never seemed to have at any point during last season.

I'm predicting Evansville will get 5 MVC wins this season, being a pest at home and stealing one on the road somewhere, a more deliberate style keeping them in games. That might be a touch optimistic but based on the way last season finished and possibly a little addition by subtraction I think this group will be more together than they were at times last season, play hard and get a lot more out of their talent collectively as a unit vs a bunch of individually skilled players.

[ACECARD]

Evansville- #2019KentuckyStateChampions

2019-2020 Review: 9-4 in the non-conference with wins over #1 Kentucky at Rupp Arena and Murray State. Between Christmas and New Years then Head Coach Walter McCarty was put on administrative leave due to Title XI accusations. After almost a month, McCarty was fired and Todd Lickliter was named head coach, no interim tag. The Aces lost all 18 conference games and the 7-10 game at Arch Madness, finishing at 9-23.

Coaching Staff: Todd Lickliter is in his first full season at Evansville. Lickliter had success at Butler before coaching at Iowa and Marian U (NAIA-Indianapolis). Was an assistant at UE in 2018-19 before stepping down in the fall of 2019. Logan Baumann is the only returning on the floor coach from last season. Joining the staff this season are two former Butler players. Thomas Jackson was a senior on Lickliter's first squad and leads Butler all time in assists and steals. Following a 12 year career in Europe, Jackson has been an assistant in the G-League the previous three seasons. Brandon Crone is the final assistant and was Team MVP in 2006-07. Following a three year career in Europe Crone won a state title at Park Tutor HS and for the last six seasons was on staff at Butler as their Coordinator of Basketball Operations.

Roster Turnover: Evansville had six players not return this season. KJ Riley was a senior and graduated. Junior Artur Labinowicz graduated and is playing professionally in Poland. Freshman Marcus Henderson transferred to a D-II school in Florida. Junior John Hall is a grad transfer at Portland State this season. Freshman DeAndre Williams transferred to Memphis. Finally, Senior to be Sam Cunliffe is no longer at UE, he has elected to sit the season out due to COVID.

General Outlook: The last 12 months haven't been great to Evansville basketball. This is a roster with a lot of new face and those who return look to take on new and greater roles. The last month/month and a half of the season saw Evansville close in many games, yet a conference win eluded them. Under McCarty the Aces wanted to play fast, take the first shot, look for the 3. Lickliter's teams have been a lot more plodding traditionally. I believe this group will play closer to Lickliter's preference, with an emphasis on limiting turnovers and defense. This is a rebuild from almost the ground up, but there is some optimism based on how the last few games went that the team will be improved and more competitive. With that optimism is the realization that Evansville will be a bottom four squad again, playing on Thursday in STL.

Starters
5. Shamar Givance, 5-10 Sophomore PG: Givance is quick and led the league in assist/turnover ratio last season. Will take the open 3 if given. Can get to the rim with his quicks but struggles to finish at times in space around much bigger players.

30. Noah Frederking, 6-4 Senior SG: Shooter, although went through a prolonged slump last season. Has gotten better on defense, but not explosive or quick with his feet. Does a good job off the ball using the threat of a shooter to cut to the rim for layups.

3. Jawaun Newton, 6-3 Junior SG: Has made his mark more on the defensive end the first two seasons. Was a scorer in high school and can shoot the three but can guard multiple positions on the floor. Has a knack for taking charges, good passer.

23. Tre Hall, 6-7 Freshman SF: Perhaps a little hopeful but the Connecticut native had looks from Penn State, St. John's before going to prep school. Stayed with Evansville after the coaching change. At his size he can run the floor and shoot it. Not sure how ready he is to step in right away but at his size, Evansville will need him to get minutes.

10. Evan Kulhman, 6-8 Senior PF: Stretch 4 who came on the last half of league play last season. Seems to have finally found the defined role. Like Frederking, this is the 3rd head coach in 4 years (4th if you count the interim Seltzer for 6 games).

41. Samari Curtis, 6-4 Sophomore SG: Transfer from Nebraska who will be eligible at semester. 2019 Mr. Basketball in Ohio who averaged 33.8 pts/7.3 reb/5.2 assists as as senior in high school. Should be the Aces best player come mid-December.

31. Iyen Enaruna, 6-9 Junior PF: Juco transfer from Kansas who averaged 12.2pts/8.2 rebs last season. I suspect he or Hall will join Kulhman in the frontcourt as a starter.

Yes, 7 potential starters......outside of Curtis snagging a spot once 1st semester ends, I'm speculating on the Hall/Enaruna spots and I could be wrong, it could be Levitch from the bench section as well.

Bench
1. Emmette Page, 6-2 Junior G: JUCO transfer from Nebraska who set the school scoring record. Averaged 21.9 pts last season. Release touts both shooting percentage and free throw, nothing about the 3 point percentage. Guessing that makes Page more of a slasher/KJ Riley mode but that's speculation on that one fact.

11. Thomasi Gilgeous-Alexander, 6-5 Redshirt Freshman G: Saw action in 3 games last season, medically reshirted. TGA is long and was lean coming into his freshman season. Due to injuries didn't see much last season but could be a key player for the Aces with his size at the guard/wing spot.

24. Alex Matthews, 6-5 Freshman G: 2020 Gatorade Player of the Year in Kentucky. Averaged 23.5 pts/10.6 rebounds as a senior. Was a late add to the class.

2. Jax Levitch, 6-7 Grad Transfer F: Transfer from UNC-Asheville after spending two seasons at IPFW. Started every game as a sophomore at FW, averaging 5.5 pts/4.1 rebs. Has one season left.

42. Peace Ilegomah, 6-9 Senior C: Pitt transfer who was eligible at semester last season. Rarely saw meaningful minutes, more of a true back to the basket post. Chances are he won't see a ton of minutes this year either but with the likelyhood of a slower pace offensively, that has to give Peace a better chance.

Walkons
4. Devan Straub, 6-2 Senior G: Saw some time on occasion, typically late in the first half to protect someone with fouls. Hit a couple threes at Missouri State in 2018-19 when inserted. Local kid who probably won't see meaningful minutes but did under McCarty a time or two.

0. Gage Bobe, 6-0 Sophomore G: Only mop up action


Review
Evansville has been through a lot on an off the court in the last year or so. This team shouldn't content for a top seed by any stretch but this is the group that will set the foundation for the Lickliter era at Evansville. These Aces would benefit from a non-conference schedule this year greatly, using it to define roles and find out which pieces can contribute at the D-I level. The returning players all have to make a jump for the Aces to compete night in and night out and get some help from multiple incoming players. This is not a complete rebuild, but it's not far off. The biggest and perhaps only win in 2020 for the Aces is with Todd Lickliter running the program they have someone who had success building a program at Butler, but more importantly a stability that the team never seemed to have at any point during last season.

I'm predicting Evansville will get 5 MVC wins this season, being a pest at home and stealing one on the road somewhere, a more deliberate style keeping them in games. That might be a touch optimistic but based on the way last season finished and possibly a little addition by subtraction I think this group will be more together than they were at times last season, play hard and get a lot more out of their talent collectively as a unit vs a bunch of individually skilled players.

Evansville- #2019KentuckyStateChampions

2019-2020 Review: 9-4 in the non-conference with wins over #1 Kentucky at Rupp Arena and Murray State. Between Christmas and New Years then Head Coach Walter McCarty was put on administrative leave due to Title XI accusations. After almost a month, McCarty was fired and Todd Lickliter was named head coach, no interim tag. The Aces lost all 18 conference games and the 7-10 game at Arch Madness, finishing at 9-23.

Coaching Staff: Todd Lickliter is in his first full season at Evansville. Lickliter had success at Butler before coaching at Iowa and Marian U (NAIA-Indianapolis). Was an assistant at UE in 2018-19 before stepping down in the fall of 2019. Logan Baumann is the only returning on the floor coach from last season. Joining the staff this season are two former Butler players. Thomas Jackson was a senior on Lickliter's first squad and leads Butler all time in assists and steals. Following a 12 year career in Europe, Jackson has been an assistant in the G-League the previous three seasons. Brandon Crone is the final assistant and was Team MVP in 2006-07. Following a three year career in Europe Crone won a state title at Park Tutor HS and for the last six seasons was on staff at Butler as their Coordinator of Basketball Operations.

Roster Turnover: Evansville had six players not return this season. KJ Riley was a senior and graduated. Junior Artur Labinowicz graduated and is playing professionally in Poland. Freshman Marcus Henderson transferred to a D-II school in Florida. Junior John Hall is a grad transfer at Portland State this season. Freshman DeAndre Williams transferred to Memphis. Finally, Senior to be Sam Cunliffe is no longer at UE, he has elected to sit the season out due to COVID.

General Outlook: The last 12 months haven't been great to Evansville basketball. This is a roster with a lot of new face and those who return look to take on new and greater roles. The last month/month and a half of the season saw Evansville close in many games, yet a conference win eluded them. Under McCarty the Aces wanted to play fast, take the first shot, look for the 3. Lickliter's teams have been a lot more plodding traditionally. I believe this group will play closer to Lickliter's preference, with an emphasis on limiting turnovers and defense. This is a rebuild from almost the ground up, but there is some optimism based on how the last few games went that the team will be improved and more competitive. With that optimism is the realization that Evansville will be a bottom four squad again, playing on Thursday in STL.

Starters
5. Shamar Givance, 5-10 Sophomore PG: Givance is quick and led the league in assist/turnover ratio last season. Will take the open 3 if given. Can get to the rim with his quicks but struggles to finish at times in space around much bigger players.

30. Noah Frederking, 6-4 Senior SG: Shooter, although went through a prolonged slump last season. Has gotten better on defense, but not explosive or quick with his feet. Does a good job off the ball using the threat of a shooter to cut to the rim for layups.

3. Jawaun Newton, 6-3 Junior SG: Has made his mark more on the defensive end the first two seasons. Was a scorer in high school and can shoot the three but can guard multiple positions on the floor. Has a knack for taking charges, good passer.

23. Tre Hall, 6-7 Freshman SF: Perhaps a little hopeful but the Connecticut native had looks from Penn State, St. John's before going to prep school. Stayed with Evansville after the coaching change. At his size he can run the floor and shoot it. Not sure how ready he is to step in right away but at his size, Evansville will need him to get minutes.

10. Evan Kulhman, 6-8 Senior PF: Stretch 4 who came on the last half of league play last season. Seems to have finally found the defined role. Like Frederking, this is the 3rd head coach in 4 years (4th if you count the interim Seltzer for 6 games).

41. Samari Curtis, 6-4 Sophomore SG: Transfer from Nebraska who will be eligible at semester. 2019 Mr. Basketball in Ohio who averaged 33.8 pts/7.3 reb/5.2 assists as as senior in high school. Should be the Aces best player come mid-December.

31. Iyen Enaruna, 6-9 Junior PF: Juco transfer from Kansas who averaged 12.2pts/8.2 rebs last season. I suspect he or Hall will join Kulhman in the frontcourt as a starter.

Yes, 7 potential starters......outside of Curtis snagging a spot once 1st semester ends, I'm speculating on the Hall/Enaruna spots and I could be wrong, it could be Levitch from the bench section as well.

Bench
1. Emmette Page, 6-2 Junior G: JUCO transfer from Nebraska who set the school scoring record. Averaged 21.9 pts last season. Release touts both shooting percentage and free throw, nothing about the 3 point percentage. Guessing that makes Page more of a slasher/KJ Riley mode but that's speculation on that one fact.

11. Thomasi Gilgeous-Alexander, 6-5 Redshirt Freshman G: Saw action in 3 games last season, medically reshirted. TGA is long and was lean coming into his freshman season. Due to injuries didn't see much last season but could be a key player for the Aces with his size at the guard/wing spot.

24. Alex Matthews, 6-5 Freshman G: 2020 Gatorade Player of the Year in Kentucky. Averaged 23.5 pts/10.6 rebounds as a senior. Was a late add to the class.

2. Jax Levitch, 6-7 Grad Transfer F: Transfer from UNC-Asheville after spending two seasons at IPFW. Started every game as a sophomore at FW, averaging 5.5 pts/4.1 rebs. Has one season left.

42. Peace Ilegomah, 6-9 Senior C: Pitt transfer who was eligible at semester last season. Rarely saw meaningful minutes, more of a true back to the basket post. Chances are he won't see a ton of minutes this year either but with the likelyhood of a slower pace offensively, that has to give Peace a better chance.

Walkons
4. Devan Straub, 6-2 Senior G: Saw some time on occasion, typically late in the first half to protect someone with fouls. Hit a couple threes at Missouri State in 2018-19 when inserted. Local kid who probably won't see meaningful minutes but did under McCarty a time or two.

0. Gage Bobe, 6-0 Sophomore G: Only mop up action


Review
Evansville has been through a lot on an off the court in the last year or so. This team shouldn't content for a top seed by any stretch but this is the group that will set the foundation for the Lickliter era at Evansville. These Aces would benefit from a non-conference schedule this year greatly, using it to define roles and find out which pieces can contribute at the D-I level. The returning players all have to make a jump for the Aces to compete night in and night out and get some help from multiple incoming players. This is not a complete rebuild, but it's not far off. The biggest and perhaps only win in 2020 for the Aces is with Todd Lickliter running the program they have someone who had success building a program at Butler, but more importantly a stability that the team never seemed to have at any point during last season.

I'm predicting Evansville will get 5 MVC wins this season, being a pest at home and stealing one on the road somewhere, a more deliberate style keeping them in games. That might be a touch optimistic but based on the way last season finished and possibly a little addition by subtraction I think this group will be more together than they were at times last season, play hard and get a lot more out of their talent collectively as a unit vs a bunch of individually skilled players.

purple&orange, excellent post. I don't think they will win 5 Valley games, but think they won't go 0-18 again either. Until I can see them play, I'm not going to say who I think they can beat. They will need all the non-con games they can get.

[Adunk33]

F- Sy Chatman (Jr) - Transfer from UMASS. I've heard several rumors about him being a "me over we" guy. However, he is childhood friends with Josiah Strong, hopefully that helps keep in grounded and a positive addition to the team. They have submitted a waiver for immediate eligibility and have not heard the outcome. Muller said that he'll see what's happening at the forward position before making a decision on whether or not Sy will play.

Chatman has received a waiver and is eligible to play this season. It's good news for the Birds who only have one other "big" with D1 experience and it's Abdou Ndiaye.

Hopefully, Chatman can get his attitude straightened up to be a solid player for the Redbirds.

[Adunk33]

Re: Sy Chatman,

Coach Muller isn't providing glowing reviews of Sy. I like when a coach calls out a player. Keeps them accountable.

https://www.pantagraph.com/sports/colle ... 08138.html

"As of right now he has to be a lot more consistent (in practice) and really buy in to competing at a higher level in order to help our team on game night," said Muller. "Because of those things, he hasn't played better than the other guys. That could certainly change. Maybe the news will change his motivation level or just being here longer will get him to understand what we expect."

"We're happy Sy got his waiver and it gives us another option on the frontcourt," said Muller. "Now it's up to Sy if he ever earns minutes and his daily habits."

[Eville Ways]

purple&orange, excellent post. I don't think they will win 5 Valley games, but think they won't go 0-18 again either. Until I can see them play, I'm not going to say who I think they can beat. They will need all the non-con games they can get.

KenPom says 4 wins, and 4 wins is the average for last place since 2002. I'd say 5 is a decent baseline expectation for a UE fan. Obviously, we hope this team gels and can win more. But even if it's just 4, if two of them are against that team in Terre Haute, that's not the end of the world.