By MVC correspondent Brian Doolittle
No other basketball team in the country will begin this season with a story quite like the one under way at Evansville.
The Purple Aces are at the beginning of a hopeful transformation, and it features an incredible narrative that seems destined for some positive twists and turns.
At the center of this story is first-year head coach Walter McCarty. He was hired this past offseason after serving as an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics and coach Brad Stevens since 2013. He was previously an assistant at Louisville under Rick Pitino from 2007-2010.
Many folks remember McCarty as a star player for the 1996 national-champion Kentucky Wildcats. Others may recall his days in the NBA, where he enjoyed a 10-year career primarily spent with the Celtics.
“Our teams at Kentucky were very close, and connected. That’s what I remember the most, and it’s what I emphasize to these kids now, to be connected with each other,” McCarty said.
However, not many people know that the 6-10 McCarty is a native of Evansville. It’s clear he carries much pride in his hometown community and is committed to weave himself and his players into the community’s fabric. He’s also getting support from his past teammates.
“Tony Delk has been in town to talk to the guys, and we’ve had Ron Mercer in town, Jack Givens, Damon Bailey,” McCarty said.
McCarty played at Harrison High school in Evansville before leaving for Lexington, Kentucky.
“From being a young kid, and even as a pro player, I’ve always been involved in our community. We have to be able to lift up and serve our community. We have a responsibility to give back, and it makes it really special being from here,” said McCarty.
“They think I’m old and can’t play anymore. I’ll mess with the guys, go out and shoot and let them I used to do this too. But I’m not one to dwell on what I’ve done.”
Senior transfer point guard Shea Feehan said, “We know what he’s done and who he’s played for, and it’s really cool. It’s a blast for us.”
Only six players are back from last season’s 17-15 (7-11 MVC) team under head coach Marty Simmons. McCarty will be relying heavily on redshirt players, freshmen and transfers this season - and beyond.
Of those players coming back, only three averaged at least 19 minutes per game. Junior transfer 6-5 swingman K.J. Riley averaged 6.8 points and started 18 games last season. Sophomore guard Noah Frederking (5.4 ppg) and 6-9 sophomore Dainius Chatkevicius (4.8 ppg, 5.4 rebounds per game) are also back. Each played in all 32 games last season.
Senior Marty Hill also returns after injury limited him to nine games last season.
“We need to bring leadership and set the right example for the younger guys coming in. If we set the standards high and do things the right way, then everything else will fall into place on and off the court,” Hill said.
A huge benefit for McCarty has been the change in NCAA rules that now allow coaches to have more practice time with their teams in late summer and early fall.
McCarty said: “One of the first things Brad Stevens told me before coming here was to not make the mistake of getting my team in full shape by November 1st. I think I’m efficient with their time.
“My goal is to allow them to have energy left after practice to come back later and shoot, or get physical rehab, and to focus on their studies.”
The newcomer most likely to make an immediate contribution is actually a veteran player. Feehan is a fifth-year graduate transfer, the first in Evansville program history.
He played last season at Division III Eureka College in Illinois and scored 30.6 points per game. He made 44 percent from 3-point range and was the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year.
“Shea plays with great pace, and is a natural leader. He wears guys down, moving off screens and beating guys down the floor,” McCarty said. “He’s played D-1 teams, and can play at this level. He’ll be just fine.”
“I know how to play free, trust my teammates and play uptempo. I have no concerns about playing at this level,” said Feehan. “As a kid, I watched every Bradley game. I know the teams in this conference, and it’s a dream come true.”
One freshman destined to see action is Jawaun Newton from El Paso, Texas. He’s a point guard and averaged 28.5 points in his high school senior season.
The Purple Aces lost six players from last season, including their top three scorers. Gone is Ryan Taylor and his 21.3 points per game and Dru Smith (13.7 ppg).
New transfers Sam Cunliffe and Artur Labinowicz will not be eligible to play until the 2019-2020 season. Cunliffe is expected to be an impact player and may be Evansville’s highest-rated recruit. He’s from Seattle and transferred from Kansas after initially playing at Arizona State. He was a top-40 player nationally coming out of high school and will be a redshirt junior next season.
Labinowicz joins the Purple Aces following two productive seasons at Coastal Carolina.
Freshman (6-9) Deandre Williams was ruled ineligible for this season in early October. Williams will be allowed to practice, however.
“He is a great kid who will help our team for years to come," said McCarty.
Evansville’s non-conference schedule includes Illinois, Xavier and Murray State. Its MVC season begins Jan. 2 with a home date at the impressive Ford Center on campus against Drake.
“Every kids that comes here is shocked we have the Ford Center. It’s a huge selling point for us. It’s one of the best mid-major places to see basketball,” McCarty said.
“I didn’t want to start the season playing teams we can pound. I wanted to schedule tough teams and see what we have, and what we need to work on. See how we fight early,” McCarty said.