Helena Frye
The Evansville Purple Aces men's basketball team has had a rich history in college basketball, with several notable achievements. The team has won five NCAA College Division (Division II) national championships and appeared in five NCAA Division I Tournaments since joining this division in 1977. However, their performance in recent years has not resulted in any rankings in the AP Poll. While they have had success in the past, it is uncertain if they will be ranked in the future, and their current performance does not indicate any immediate prospects of being ranked.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Evansville Purple Aces |
| University | University of Evansville |
| Location | Evansville, Indiana |
| Division | NCAA Division I |
| Conference | Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) |
| Previous Conference | Midwest Collegiate Conference (MCC) |
| NCAA Division II Championships | 5 (1959, 1960, 1964, 1965, 1971) |
| NCAA Division I Tournament Appearances | 5 (1982, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1999) |
| NIT Appearances | 2 (1988, 1994) |
| CBI Appearances | 2 |
| CIT Appearances | 3 (Champions in 2015) |
| Jersey Retirements | 12 players, 2 coaches |
| Record (since 1924-25) | 822-777 .514 W-L% |
| Conference Champion | 6 Times (Reg. Season), 4 Times (Tourn.) |
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What You'll Learn
Evansville Purple Aces' history in Division I
The University of Evansville Purple Aces is an intercollegiate sports team representing the University of Evansville, located in Evansville, Indiana, United States. The Aces athletic program is a member of the Missouri Valley Conference and competes at the NCAA's Division I level. Evansville's mascot is Ace Purple, and the school colours are purple, white and orange.
Prior to joining Division I in 1977, the Aces were in the Division II men's basketball championship tournaments 15 of 20 years and won the title five times in 1959, 1960, 1964, 1965, and 1971. Moores Hill College moved to Evansville and became Evansville College in 1919. The athletics program was begun with the opening of the new campus.
The Aces were a charter member of the Midwest Collegiate Conference, now known as the Horizon League. The Aces won or shared the MCC regular season title in 1982, 1987, 1989, 1992, and 1993. They also won the conference tournament title in 1982, 1992, and 1993. The Aces are now a member of the Missouri Valley Conference, and won the 1999 regular season title.
The Purple Aces men's basketball team has appeared in five NCAA Division I tournaments, making their most recent appearance in 1999. The women's basketball team has made two trips to the NCAA Division I basketball tournament (1999, 2009). The Purple Aces baseball team has competed in four NCAA Division I baseball tournaments and has won one regional championship.
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The Aces' five NCAA Division II championships
The Aces have won five NCAA Division II national championships (1959, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1971). They rank second all-time in NCAA College Division national championships. The Aces were the first team to go back-to-back in DII history and are one of four DII programs to finish a championship season undefeated.
The Aces moved up to the NCAA College Division, now called NCAA Division II, shortly after the 1955 season. They won their first Division II championship in 1959. They then won again in 1960. The Aces won their third Division II championship in 1964. This team featured NBA legend Jerry Sloan. The Aces' fourth Division II championship came in 1965, with Sloan once again starring. The Aces became the first team to win back-to-back championships in DII history.
In 1971, the Aces won their fifth and final Division II championship before moving up to Division I in 1977. This team featured future NBA star Don Buse and future NCAA referee Steve Welmer. The Aces have appeared in 14 NCAA Division II Tournaments, with a combined record of 39-9.
Legendary Aces coach Arad McCutchan was the first NCAA College Division coach selected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. He was not on the plane when it crashed in 1977, as he had retired after the previous season. No head coach in DII men's basketball has more titles than McCutchan.
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The team's appearances in the NAIA Tournament
The Evansville Purple Aces men's basketball team has a rich history in the NAIA Tournament, dating back to the early years of their program. They appeared in the NAIA national tournament four times in 1941, 1942, 1951, and 1955. Their overall record in these tournaments stood at 3-4.
The Purple Aces' most successful campaign was in 1951 when they reached the third round, the NAIA Quarterfinals. Unfortunately, their journey was cut short by Regis University (Colo.), who defeated them 70-68 in a close contest. This 1951 team came the closest to achieving glory in the NAIA tournament for Evansville.
After their 1955 appearance, the Purple Aces moved up from the NAIA level to the NCAA College Division, now known as NCAA Division II. Here, they continued to find success, winning five national championships (1959, 1960, 1964, 1965, and 1971). Their teams in 1964 and 1965 featured NBA legend Jerry Sloan, while the 1971 squad included future NBA star Don Buse.
The Evansville Purple Aces have since moved up to NCAA Division I, where they have appeared in five NCAA Division I Tournaments, with their most recent appearance in 1999.
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Evansville's performance in the Midwest Collegiate Conference
The Evansville Purple Aces men's basketball team has a rich history in collegiate basketball, with several achievements to its name. The team's history in the Midwest Collegiate Conference (MCC), now known as the Horizon League, is particularly noteworthy.
Evansville was a charter member of the MCC, and they dominated the conference for many years. They won or shared the MCC regular season title on multiple occasions: 1982, 1987, 1989, 1992, and 1993. During these years, they consistently demonstrated their prowess, sharing the title with other formidable teams or outright winning it.
In addition to their regular-season success, the Aces also excelled in the conference tournament. They lifted the MCC tournament trophy in 1982, 1992, and 1993, showcasing their ability to perform under the pressure of tournament play.
The Aces' performance in the MCC has contributed significantly to their overall basketball legacy. They have appeared in five NCAA Division I Tournaments, with their most recent appearance in 1999. Additionally, they have made two appearances in the NIT (1988 and 1994) and participated in three CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournaments (CIT), winning the CIT championship in 2015.
It is worth noting that the University of Evansville was also a part of the Heartland Collegiate Conference (HCC) from 1978 to 1989. However, their focus shifted primarily to Division I athletics after 1988, with the exception of football, for which they maintained membership in the NAIA.
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The Aces' most recent NCAA Division I appearance
The Evansville Purple Aces men's basketball team has a rich history in the sport, with their roots tracing back to the early 1900s when they were known as the Pioneers. They earned the name Aces after a local sportswriter praised their gameplay, saying, "They played like Aces." Since then, the team has been known as the Aces or Purple Aces.
The Purple Aces have had their fair share of success over the years, particularly in the NCAA Division II tournaments, where they have claimed five national championships (1959, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1965, and 1971). Their most recent triumph in the Division I tournament, however, took place in 1999, marking their fifth appearance.
In the 1998-99 season, the Purple Aces, coached by Jim Crews, put together a solid campaign. They finished the regular season with a 16-11 record and secured a spot in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) tournament. In the MVC tournament, they displayed their prowess once again and went on to win the championship. This victory not only added to their impressive resume but also earned them an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I tournament—their fifth appearance in the prestigious tournament.
In the NCAA Division I tournament, the Purple Aces faced the mighty Kentucky Wildcats in the first round. The Wildcats, a perennial powerhouse, were a formidable opponent. Unfortunately, the Purple Aces fell short in this initial matchup, ending their journey in the 1999 NCAA Division I tournament. Despite the loss, their appearance in the tournament marked a significant milestone in their history, demonstrating their resilience and determination to return to the big stage.
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Frequently asked questions
The Evansville Purple Aces men's basketball team has never been ranked in the AP Poll, with a record of 0-0. They have, however, won five Division II national championships and appeared in five NCAA Division I Tournaments.
Evansville Basketball is in Division I of the NCAA. They moved up to the NCAA College Division, now Division II, in 1955, and then to Division I in 1977.
The Purple Aces have appeared in five NCAA Division I Tournaments, with a combined record of 1-5.
The Purple Aces have appeared in four NAIA Tournaments, with a record of 3-4.
