Aces add Princeton and Ball State to schedule

The famous Princeton Offense that has led the Tigers mens basketball team to nine NCAA Tournaments in the past 19 years is coming to Roberts Stadium. University of Evansville head coach Marty Simmons announced today that Princeton University will play his Purple Aces at Roberts on Wednesday, December 5. Simmons also announced today that Evansville has signed a two-year agreement with Ball State University. The Aces will play at Ball State on November 24, and the Cardinals will come to Evansville during the 2008-09 season. It will be Ball States first trip to Evansville since 1971. "All of our fans can identify with Princetons tradition and the success theyve had throughout the years," Simmons says. "This may be our only chance to play them, so were really looking forward to the opportunity. Ball State is unique because were able to start a series with an in-state opponent that our fans recognize. We have a lot of respect for Coach (Ronny) Thompson and the program he¹s building at Ball State." Like Evansville, Princeton is under the direction of a new head coach. Sydney Johnson, Ivy League Player of the Year at Princeton in 1997, took over for former coach Joe Scott in April. Johnson was an assistant coach under John Thompson III the past three seasons at Georgetown University, where he helped lead the Hoyas to the 2007 Final Four. Johnson will attempt to send Princeton back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2004. Ball State coach Ronny Thompson is the brother of John Thompson III and son of Hall of Fame coach John Thompson. Ronny was Georgetown¹s team captain as a senior in 1992. Thompson took over as Ball States coach in 2006. The Cardinals are also trying to rebuild after posting records of 10-18 and 9-22 the past two seasons. Ball State has reached the NCAA Tournament five times since 1989, most recently in 2000. Simmons and his staff at UE are putting the finishing touches on the remainder of the Aces non-conference schedule, which will include six home games and five road games. The 18-game Missouri Valley Conference schedule will be released in August. Ticket information is available by contacting the Aces¹ ticket office at (812) 488-ACES. Simmons¹ full squad will be on campus next week for the first time, when the second summer session of classes begins. His team includes nine returning players (Jay Couisnard, Shy Ely, Darin Granger, Trevor Gregory, Victor Gomez, Jason Holsinger, Taylor Morrow, Pieter van Tongeren, Trent Wargel) and five newcomers (Nate Garner, Clint Hopf, Zach House, Kavon Lacey, Jonathan VanHoose). "Were really looking forward to having all 14 players here on campus at the same time," Simmons said. "We have a lot of work to do in helping our guys get ready for the season, and next week the preparation begins." Courtesy: UE Sports Information Department