UE Growing the Program

Ragland and Players Expect More

(St. Louis, MO) – The building of the University of Evansville basketball program has taken longer that coach David Ragland has expected, but now he and his returning players believe they are growing the program.

With star forward A.J. Casey sticking around and the return of point guard Bryce Quinet and forward James Dyson-Merwe, Ragland has a solid foundation for progress. Talented newcomers will provide enhanced fire-power and the UE coaching staff is outstanding.

When you add in the excitement around their rivalry game with Southern Indiana, there is great interest around the 2026-27 Purple Aces.

Casey’s return after landing on last season’s third-team, all-conference squad, places him as one of the top returners in the Missouri Valley Conference. The versatile 6’9 Casey can score (13.5), rebound (5.9), shoot the three (34 %), defend (39 steals and 19 blocks) and is a team leader and crowd favorite.

After failing to reach double digits in scoring during seven of UE’s first ten games, Casey turned the trick 18 of the final twenty-two. During the team’s final four games he averaged 23.2 points, including a 37 point performance against Valparaiso.

At times he played like his favorite player, LeBron James.

With numerous financial opportunities available, Casey decided to stick with ‘Coach Rags’. Casey was disappointed with last season’s record (7-25) and felt like he owed to Ragland and the Evansville fan base to return and ‘do something special’ in growing the program.

Ragland says his offseason priorities were all focused on retaining Casey, Quinet, Dyson-Merwe and redshirt Aaron Grutman. Casey tells us he and his coach are very close.

Growing the Program – Quinet & Newcomers

Quinet enjoyed an outstanding freshman season and is determined to be the ‘on-floor’ leader of this year’s team. The 6’3 point guard believes he can set the pace for his teammates. His goal is to help to support his teammates and help them improve.

Quinet appeared in all 32 UE contests, starting 19. He says the confidence Ragland has expressed in him and the challenges he has put before him are some of the reasons he returned to become this team’s ‘head of the snake’.

Ragland is excited about his newcomers. The transfers needed to fit some parameters set by the coaching staff. Adding offensive firepower was truly important. Max Langenfeld, Makuei Riek and Gustav Winther are the headliners of the incoming class of players.

Langenfeld was an up-and-coming star in the German Firts League and spent the past two seasons at Florida Atlantic. Ragland says the 6’8 forward is an outstanding shooter.

The 6’6 Riek spent last season at Salt Lake Community College averaging 13.5 points-per-game. He appeared in 19 games for Division 1 Fairfield during the 2024-25 season.

Ragland knew his roster needed some size and Winther fills some of that need. Winther (6’10) started 21 games at Northern Illinois and averaged 6.5 points and 6.5 rebounds during his two games against Valley foes last season.

Ragland says those three players and his team’s overall depth, will be one of this season’s strengths.

Six, three-star freshmen join this year’s team. Terre Haute’s Bryce Renn has the most recognizable name. He is former Indiana State star, Matt Renn’s son.

River City Classic

We have been pounding the drum for this game to happen and we are excited to say the ‘River City Classic’ is finally a reality! Evansville will face Southern Indiana on Saturday, November 7 at the Ford Center.

While the game will be played at Ford Center, it will technically be a neutral site game.

EvansvilleRegion.com says this is the first meeting for the programs in their collective, Division 1 history.

“The River City Classic marks the first regular-season Division I meeting between Evansville’s two Division I men’s basketball programs, creating one of the most anticipated sporting events in recent local history. Managed and operated by the Evansville Regional Sports Commission, the River City Classic provides a unique opportunity to showcase two Evansville institutions on one stage in the heart of downtown while celebrating the city’s rich basketball tradition.”

“The River City Classic is exactly the type of event the Evansville Regional Sports Commission strives to bring to our community,” said Brandon McClish, Executive Director of the ERSC. “There are thousands of people throughout the region who have attended, worked for, supported, or cheered for USI and UE over the years. Bringing these two programs together at the Ford Center provides a special opportunity to celebrate those connections while creating an exciting experience for student-athletes, fans, and our community.”

Ragland believes the game is something all the fans have wanted.

Season Begins

After going 1-and-2 in the exhibition season the Purple Aces open the season Monday against IU Kokomo.

During the exhibition season, Quinet averaged 17 points and five assists. Langenfeld, Dyson-Merwe, Riek, Symons all recorded double-digit scoring performances.

IU Kokomo is an NAIA squad, so the ‘Classic’ will be Ragland’s team’s first Division 1 opponent.

Ragland’s schedule is daunting. With Middle Tennessee, Miami (Ohio), Memphis, Missouri and Western Kentucky on the schedule, the prospects of a winning record heading into conference play is unlikely.

While growing the program is more about succeeding in league play and being competitive against upper-level D1 programs right now, Ragland and his players are aiming at greater success.

Do Good