Evansville finished last in the Missouri Valley Conference in coach Marty Simmons' first season. Its final game, a loss to Missouri State in the MVC Tournament, provided a clear picture of where the Aces need to improve for next season.

Aces big men Nate Garner, Pieter van Tongeren and Clint Hopf combined to score six points. All three return next season and their development is key. All three were new to Division I basketball -- Hopf and van Tongeren are freshmen -- and it showed.

"We just don't finish well around the basket," Simmons said. "That's something that's been a problem of ours throughout the season."

Evansville fans knew it would be a tough season for Simmons. He had to replace three seniors who carried the program in recent years. The Aces were competitive enough to think the future can be better. Guards Shy Ely, Jason Holsinger and Kavon Lacey give Simmons an above-average place to start for next season. Ely and Holsinger are proven Valley players and Lacey made big steps as a freshman. Darin Granger, also a guard, returns as a scorer off the bench.

They need help, both from the big men and the bench. Simmons has signed two high school players for next season, forward C.J. Erickson (6-foot-6) and guard Denver Holmes (6-foot-4). The Aces struggled to score, largely because they were too reliant on jump shots. Ely made up for some of that by drawing fouls. Evansville's big men must make themselves into better scoring threats.

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