Tonight's Missouri Valley game between Creighton and Evansville matches teams juggling different levels of disappointment.

For the 11-11 Bluejays, this has been a season of failing to live up to expectations. But the Bluejays believe they are still capable of a strong finish.

“I think we're still confident we're moving in the right direction,'' guard Cavel Witter said.

Few expected much out of Evansville this season. The Purple Aces lost their top four scorers — three seniors and a promising freshman — off last season's 17-14 team. They were picked to finish last in the league's preseason poll.

That's where Evansville stands heading into the 7:05 p.m. game at Qwest Center Omaha. In fact, the Purple Aces are locked into that spot, having lost all 11 of their conference games and 15 of 21 overall.

In spite of his team's lack of success, Evansville coach Marty Simmons said he hasn't given up on his squad because it hasn't given up on itself.

“This has been a very resilient group,'' Simmons said. “This lack of success has been a learning process for all of us. The guys still continue to try their very best. I believe we're getting better, although we haven't been able to get over the hump and made enough plays to win games.

“But this is a young team that has done a good job of staying together. It's still eager to come to practice every day.''

Usually, that's where the first signs of resignation start to surface. It's easy to continue to say all the right things, but it becomes more difficult to show up at practice each day ready to go to work.

Neither Simmons nor Creighton coach Dana Altman has seen any indications of slippage in that area in his own team.

“You trust that isn't going to happen,'' Altman said. “We still have a lot of games to play, and I don't sense that happening at all.

“I think we're continuing to make progress. I like the effort we're playing with. There are still some things we can do better, but we're making progress.''

Simmons admits that he has altered his practice demeanor as the losses have mounted.

“I think last year, with the seniors we had, I might have been able to get after them and challenge them a little more,'' he said. “We still continue to challenge our guys, but it's in a little different way. It's important to maintain a positive attitude, and I think our guys have responded to that.''

Altman, too, has tried to be more positive in practice, although publicly he says he hasn't changed. Frequent observers of practice have noted a more positive approach, although Altman and his staff aren't afraid to get after players when needed.

In spite of their struggles, the Bluejays know they still have a lot to play for as the season enters its stretch run. At 6-5, they are tied for third in the Valley and, with a strong finish, could position themselves to make a strong run in the conference tournament next month.

“We're still making steps and we're still getting better,'' forward Casey Harriman said. “We're still playing hard, and I don't think anyone is giving up.

“Some teams get to this point, they're tired and they start to give in to it. I know this team. No one is going to give in to it. A year ago at this time, our practices were relatively short. Our practices are still tough, and no one's complaining. We're still ready to play hard.''

• NOTES: Creighton has never lost a Wednesday home game at Qwest Center Omaha and has won 34 straight home contests on the day, dating back to Jan. 12, 2000. ... The Bluejays lead the series 22-9 and are 12-2 against the Purple Aces on their home court. ... A win tonight would be Creighton's 10th at home this season and extend to 14 its streak of winning at least 10 home contests. ... Freshman forward Ethan Wragge has made a 3-point basket in nine straight games, the longest streak by a Bluejay freshman since Kyle Korver had a string of 11 straight in 2000.

Contact the writer:

679-2298, steve.pivovar@owh.com

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