Simmons talks hoops on the radio

Marty Simmons

UE coach Marty Simmons hasn’t started his weekly radio shows yet this season, but he appeared Friday with play-by-play man Lance Wilkerson on “All About Aces” ahead of Saturday’s USI game.

Here’s a sampling of what Simmons had to say:

—On having just two weeks of practice before playing a game: “You hit the nail on the head there. I don’t think two weeks is probably enough time to prepare for anyone, especially Southern Indiana.”

—Again said the team isn’t as far along at this point as he’d hoped with four scholarship seniors on the roster: “From our standpoint, facing such a great opponent right out the gate is going to be a great challenge…Well, at the end of the day, we’re going to learn a lot about our basketball team. It’s a great way to gauge where you’re at. It’s not always a pleasant thing. You can go back to the drawing board and use it as a teaching tool for your players.”

—On Egidijus Mockevicius: “He’s just learning every day. He’s got a ways to go, and we will continue to improve, and I think before his career is over at Evansville he has a chance to be one of the better big players who have been here.”

—Said freshman Adam Wing has a football mentality: “He’s a tough cookie. He really brings is every day. That kind of his mojo is, he loves to compete.”

—Said freshman D.J. Balentine can play either the one or two: “He can score the basketball in a variety of ways.”

—On freshman David Howard: “Smart, skilled” post player who’s adding muscle.

—On senior Troy Taylor: “He certainly was a great young man when he got here, but he’s gotten better both on the basketball floor and in the classroom. He’s a young man who exudes loving life…”

—On senior Colt Ryan: “What can you say that hasn’t already been said? He’s certainly done everything that’s been asked of him and more.”