THE GOOD NEWS
Shy Ely and Jason Holsinger are good enough to win games in the Valley with adequate help. Ely is a scorer who can slash to the basket and draw fouls. Holsinger is a tough point guard who can shoot from deep. They should be ready for big senior seasons. Kavon Lacey made strides late in the season and should progress more to give the Aces a triple threat of scorers.

THE BAD NEWS
Evansville freshmen big men Pieter van Tongeren and Clint Hopf failed to show consistent signs of being able to play in the Valley. Hopf scored nine points in his final 10 games. Van Tongeren scored 13 points in both of his first two MVC games. But he reached double figures only twice more in the remaining 16 games.

KEY RETURNEES
Evansville's backcourt is set with Ely, Holsinger, Lacey and Darin Granger returning. Redshirt freshman Zach House, a 7-footer, gives the Aces another big body.

ROSTER REPORT

--F Shy Ely scored more points this season (431) than his first two combined (405).

--G Jason Holsinger led the Valley in minutes played(35.5) and there is a reason coach Marty Simmons rarely pulled him. He ranked third in assists (4.5), 11th in scoring (12.3), fifth in free throw percentage (84.1) and eighth in three-point accuracy (41.8).

Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.