Evansville men's basketball will play Big 12 foe on the road next season
EVANSVILLE — The University of Evansville men's basketball schedule is coming together.
The Purple Aces will travel to Provo, Utah, to face Brigham Young University in early December, coach David Ragland told the Courier & Press. The Cougars are entering their first season in the Big 12 Conference after completing their final year in the West Coast Conference.
BYU is the first newly signed contract for the Purple Aces, though the terms have not been disclosed because both universities are private. UE's other known contests are at home against Ball State and Miami (Ohio) and on the road against Southeast Missouri State and Bellarmine. Plus, the Las Vegas Holiday Classic on Nov. 24 and 25 — those opponents have not been announced.
Ragland also said there would be a second "high-level" game to be announced.
The second-year coach has connections with the Cougars' staff from his time as an assistant at Utah State, and he said those "had a lot to do" with the Aces scheduling them.
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"It'll be a good challenge for us," Ragland said. "They have a great environment and fanbase. (It will) just give our guys an opportunity to see. ... If you can perform in this environment, we can perform anywhere."
BYU went 19-15 this season and advanced to the WCC semifinal before being knocked out by Saint Mary's. The Cougars were 12-4 at home and finished ranked No. 77 in KenPom. Meanwhile, the Aces endured another last-place campaign at 5-27 overall.
Ragland also said he tries to play games where he and his staff are recruiting players. He pointed out that incoming guard Tanner Cuff is from the area and will get to play in front of family and friends.
"We have a ton of opportunities to go and play different places or have people come and play here," Ragland said. "Relationships have a lot to do with it. ... It's a good experience to play a team not in your region."
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: NCAA men's basketball: BYU will host Evansville in 2023-24
