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The Evansville Purple Aces men's basketball team represents the University of Evansville, Indiana, in NCAA Division I basketball. The team has had success in both Division I and Division II, winning five national championships in the latter. The Purple Aces have appeared in several national tournaments, including the NAIA, NIT, CBI, and CIT, with varying levels of success. They play their home games at the Ford Center and have a rich history, with the nickname Aces originating from a local sports writer's game story in the 1920s.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Division | I |
| Location | Evansville, Indiana |
| Conference | Missouri Valley |
| Nickname | Purple Aces |
| Colors | Purple, White & Orange |
| Home Ground | Ford Center |
| Former Name | Pioneers |
| NAIA Appearances | 4 (1941, 1942, 1951, and 1955) |
| NIT Appearances | 2 |
| CBI Appearances | 2 |
| CIT Appearances | 3 (Champions in 2015) |
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What You'll Learn
The Evansville Purple Aces are in NCAA Division I
The Evansville Purple Aces have a rich basketball history. Initially competing in the NAIA, they appeared in four NAIA national tournaments between 1941 and 1955, reaching the quarterfinals in 1951. Following this era, the team moved up to the NCAA College Division (now Division II), where they excelled, winning five national championships between 1959 and 1971. Notable players from this period include NBA legend Jerry Sloan and future NBA star Don Buse.
In 1977-78, the Evansville Purple Aces made the transition to NCAA Division I. Since then, they have appeared in five NCAA Division I tournaments, with their most recent appearance in 1999. The Purple Aces have also experienced success in other tournaments, including the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) and the College Basketball Invitational (CBI), as well as becoming CIT champions in 2015.
The Evansville Purple Aces continue to be a competitive force in NCAA Division I basketball. On November 12, 2019, they achieved a significant victory, upsetting top-ranked Kentucky at Rupp Arena. This win marked one of the most notable triumphs in their Division I history. The team's colours are purple, white, and orange, and their home games are played at the Ford Center in Evansville.
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They were originally known as the Pioneers
The University of Evansville's basketball team, based in Evansville, Indiana, is known as the Evansville Purple Aces. They play NCAA Division I basketball in the Missouri Valley Conference. The team's colours are purple, white and orange, and their mascot is Ace Purple.
The Evansville Purple Aces men's basketball team has a rich history. Evansville's athletics teams were originally known as the Pioneers in the early 1900s, with the first officially sanctioned Evansville College baseball team being formed in 1924. John Harmon was the first head coach of the then-Evansville College Pioneers. Their first game was against Bethel College, which they won 5-4, marking their first victory in school history.
In the 1920s, the name 'Aces' arose after a local sports writer commented in a game story of the men's basketball team, "They played like Aces." The team has been known as the Aces and/or Purple Aces ever since.
In the early years of the men's basketball programme, the Purple Aces appeared in the NAIA national tournament. They appeared four times in the NAIA Tournament between 1941 and 1955, with their best result being a third-round appearance in 1951. Shortly after the 1955 season, the Purple Aces moved up to the NCAA College Division, now called NCAA Division II.
The Evansville Purple Aces have had great success in Division II, winning five national championships in 1959, 1960, 1964, 1965, and 1971. Notable players from this era include NBA Legend Jerry Sloan, who played on the 1964 and 1965 teams, and future NBA star Don Buse, who played on the 1971 team.
The Purple Aces joined Division I in 1977 and have since appeared in five NCAA tournaments, with their most recent appearance in 1999. They have also competed in several other tournaments, including the National Invitation Tournaments (NIT) and the College Basketball Invitationals (CBI).
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The Aces name came from a local sports writer
The Evansville Purple Aces men's basketball team represents the Purple Aces of the University of Evansville, Indiana, in NCAA Division I basketball competition. The team plays its home games at the Ford Center.
In the early 1900s, Evansville's athletics teams were originally known as the Pioneers. In the 1920s, the name Aces came about after a local sports writer wrote in a game story of the men's basketball team, "They played like Aces." The team has been known as the Aces and/or Purple Aces ever since.
The Aces name was also influenced by Louisville basketball coach Fred Enke, who, after Evansville beat the Cardinals 59-39, told Evansville coach John Harmon, "You didn't have four Aces up your sleeve; you had five!" Harmon shared the quote with then-Evansville Courier sports editor Dan Scism, and both agreed they preferred the nickname Aces to the Pioneers. Due to the school's purple and white colours, the "Purple Aces" moniker was popular in college athletics by 1926.
The Aces have a rich history in basketball. They have won five Division II national championships (1959, 1960, 1964, 1965, and 1971). On November 12, 2019, the Aces earned one of their biggest victories in Division I history, upsetting top-ranked Kentucky at Rupp Arena. Since joining Division I in 1977-78, the Purple Aces have appeared in five NCAA tournaments, making their most recent appearance in 1999.
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They've won five Division II national championships
The Evansville Purple Aces men's basketball team has won five NCAA Division II national championships. The Purple Aces, representing the University of Evansville in Evansville, Indiana, have had a rich history in college basketball, particularly in the Division II category.
Their five Division II national titles were won in the years 1959, 1960, 1964, 1965, and 1971. The Purple Aces' success in the 1960s and early 1970s cemented their legacy in college basketball. The 1964 and 1965 championship-winning teams featured NBA legend Jerry Sloan, while the 1971 championship squad included future NBA star Don Buse and future NCAA referee Steve Welmer.
These five championships place Evansville second all-time in the NCAA College Division national championships rankings. Only Kentucky Wesleyan has won more Division II men's basketball championships, with eight titles to their name.
The Purple Aces' success is not limited to just Division II. They have also appeared in several NCAA Division I Tournaments, making their debut in the 1977-78 season. Since then, they have participated in five NCAA Division I Tournaments, with their most recent appearance in 1999.
In addition to their national championship triumphs, the Evansville Purple Aces have also achieved notable accomplishments in other tournaments and regular-season play, showcasing their consistent excellence in college basketball.
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The Purple Aces have appeared in two NIT tournaments
The Purple Aces, representing the University of Evansville, Indiana, in NCAA Division I basketball competition, have appeared in two National Invitation Tournaments (NIT). The team's combined record across these tournaments is 1-2.
The Purple Aces have a rich basketball history, originally known as the Pioneers in the early 1900s, before a local sportswriter coined the now-famous nickname, declaring that "they played like Aces". The Aces have enjoyed success across various tournaments and divisions over the years.
In the early years of the men's basketball program, the Purple Aces appeared in the NAIA national tournament four times (1941, 1942, 1951, and 1955), reaching the quarterfinals in 1951. Following this early success, the Aces moved up to the NCAA College Division (now Division II), where they won five national championships (1959, 1960, 1964, 1965, and 1971).
Since joining Division I in the 1977-78 season, the Purple Aces have appeared in five NCAA tournaments, with their most recent appearance in 1999. They have also competed in other tournaments, such as the College Basketball Invitationals (CBI) and the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournaments (CIT), showcasing their consistent presence in the competitive landscape of college basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
The Evansville Purple Aces are in Division I of the NCAA.
They are in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Their school colours are purple, white, and orange.
Their nickname is the Purple Aces.
