Wichita State Shockers at Evansville Purple Aces

[UE 71]

Tonight's game is what Valley ball should be about. The outcome of the came was still undecided until the last three minutes. If the calls or the shots fell for the Aces, the outcome would have been different. I'm sure the Shocker team felt they were in a real battle and were happy to get a win. When both teams play well and battle to win, everyone wins including the fans. STL is really going to be interesting this year.

[klinky]

I went to the game tonight and was really impressed by both teams. I was dissapointed the Aces didn't pull it out but felt the team played about as hard as anyone could expect them to. If a few key plays here or there went our way, we may have had a chance to pull the game out. There is no doubt that coach Simmons has really brought this Aces team a long way from where we started the season.

Wichita, no doubt, has the best talent & depth I've seen UE play in person this year. They have the potential to make some noise in the Big Dance if they are on top of their game.

[Snaggletooth]

I think Evansville fans have to like what they are seeing that Marty Simmons is doing with his team. This was a much different Evansville team that was saw in Wichita. They have improved a lot.

[sect.3purple]

Proud of the Aces...the guys work hard, overachieve...we need to recruit inside players that match up better with teams in the Valley, but our guys give it their all. Hopf going out, Jahr on the bench with a concussion.....both hurt our rebounding, which probably cost us the game....but we competed and hung in there. We're coming back, MVC, ... for those of you who say we don't belong...we'll see....

[Da_Wu_Master]

Im sorry but i was cracking up at the 8 Evansville students that showed up against a team that is tied for 1st in the valley.

[Kip Dynamite]

Im sorry but i was cracking up at the 8 Evansville students that showed up against a team that is tied for 1st in the valley.

Well, professor Wu_Master, considering that they only have a tiny amount of students who attend UE, I would say that percentage wise, that it was probably damn near the same numbers of students that show up for home WSU games.

[Ace Dad]

I now like our chances in St Louis. The Aces now know that they can compete with all the Valley teams. This has not always been the case. There are now 4-7 teams who can end up in the Final game on Sunday and the Aces are now part of this crowd. A poor shooting night by a better team, an injury, or an inferior team playing over its head means that the Shockers cannot take anything for granted. I would love to be on the other side of the bracket and to see them on Sunday.

[Aces0976]

I now like our chances in St Louis. The Aces now know that they can compete with all the Valley teams. This has not always been the case. There are now 4-7 teams who can end up in the Final game on Sunday and the Aces are now part of this crowd. A poor shooting night by a better team, an injury, or an inferior team playing over its head means that the Shockers cannot take anything for granted. I would love to be on the other side of the bracket and to see them on Sunday.

I agree, it's nice for a change to have a shot. It would no doubt still be an upset, but it's much more possible now than in a long time. I have to say the two teams I'd like to avoid are WSU and Creighton. No disrespect to any of the other teams, it's just those two create such matchup problems for us. Either way, it was a good game last night from both teams, both teams played hard, tough basketball. On a side note, I do believe this is the most civil thread I've ever seen between WSU and UE fans, kudos......

[DUShock]

During the post game commentary on Shocker Radio HCGM stated (paraphrase) Evansville is the one team he doesn't want to see the Lou.

Go Valley!!

Go Shocks!!!!

[Aargh]

On a side note, I do believe this is the most civil thread I've ever seen between WSU and UE fans, kudos......

I can't speak for all WSU fans, but for me, it's great to see UE moving up in the Valley. UE has been down and an auto pick for last as long as I've been on any Valley message boards.

Doing it with a coach who played for the Aces has to be especially rewarding for Aces fans. Aces fans who have stuck with their team through some tough times have earned and deserve something good.