Evansville Look to Secure Winning Record, North Texas Gaining Momentum
Evansville Purple Aces Eye Winning Record, North Texas Mean Green Look to Build on Momentum
In a highly anticipated season opener, the Evansville Purple Aces travel to Texas to face the North Texas Mean Green in what promises to be an exciting non-conference matchup. Both teams are coming off disappointing seasons, but they are eager to turn the page and make a run for a successful 2024-2025 campaign. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM EST as the Purple Aces aim to secure a winning record after a 17-18 season, while North Texas looks to build on its momentum following a 19-15 finish last year.
Evansville Purple Aces Aim for a Strong Start to the Season
After finishing 17-18 last season, Evansville is looking to bounce back and surpass the .500 mark for the first time since 2018. Under third-year head coach David Ragland, the Purple Aces are determined to make strides in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) despite losing their entire starting five to graduation or transfers. While the roster is full of fresh faces, the team does have potential stars in the making.
Coach Ragland has expressed confidence in his new-look squad, which includes Tayshawn Comer (transfer from Eastern Kentucky), Tanner Cuff, Joshua Hughes, and Connor Turnball. Comer, a point guard, is expected to lead the charge, while Hughes, a 6’10” forward, will look to build on his solid freshman campaign. The most promising player might be Turnball, a 6’10” junior forward who transferred from Butler. Though Turnball dealt with injuries last season, he could be the key to Evansville’s success with his ability to stretch the floor and provide scoring both inside and from long range.
Despite their optimism, the Purple Aces face an uphill battle. Last season, Evansville ranked 259th in scoring offense, averaging just 73.6 points per game, and was 223rd in scoring defense (allowing 76.5 points per contest). They also struggled with perimeter defense, ranking 290th in 3-point defense. With a roster in transition, Evansville will need to step up its defense and improve efficiency on offense to compete in a tough MVC. The MVC preseason coaches’ poll has picked Evansville to finish 9th in the conference, but if their newcomers gel quickly, they could surprise some teams.
North Texas Mean Green Look to Build on Strong Defensive Foundation
On the other side, the North Texas Mean Green come into the 2024-2025 season with a strong defensive reputation but a revamped offense. After finishing 19-15 last season, North Texas hopes to challenge for a spot in the AAC Tournament and possibly earn an NCAA Tournament bid. Head coach Ross Hodge, in his second year, faces the challenge of rebuilding after losing six of the team’s top scorers from last season, including Jason Edwards, who averaged nearly 20 points per game.
Despite the departures, the Mean Green still have a solid foundation to build on. Rondel Walker and Matthew Stone are the key returning players, while Hodge has bolstered the roster with transfers who bring valuable experience. The new additions include Johnathan Massie and Atin Wright, both guards with NCAA Tournament experience. Wright notably scored 20 points for Drake in a first-round NCAA Tournament loss to Washington State last season. Another key transfer is Latrell Jossell from Stephen F. Austin, who averaged nearly 13 points per game last season.
North Texas’s offense, which struggled to score last year, will look to improve on its 285th ranking in scoring offense. However, their defense remains a strength, as they finished 11th in scoring defense last season, allowing just 59.9 points per game. They also excelled in 3-point defense, ranking 54th in 3-point field goals allowed per game. If their new-look offense can find chemistry early in the season, North Texas could remain competitive in the AAC, where they were picked to finish 7th in the preseason coaches’ poll.
Conclusion
For Evansville, this game offers a chance to set the tone for a season of growth and development. With a roster largely in transition, they will need to quickly figure out how to play tough defense and become more efficient offensively to compete in the MVC. Meanwhile, North Texas will look to gain momentum heading into the heart of the AAC schedule, with hopes of qualifying for the NCAA Tournament.
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