Bragging rights are on the line tonight for Missouri State freshman guard Cardell McFarland.
Playing against his hometown Evansville Purple Aces for the first time, McFarland has a personal stake in this one.
"I'm excited and ready to play them," he said. "I know a lot of guys on their team and they know me so it should be fun."
Evansville brings a two-game winning streak into JQH Arena and is looking to stay in the hunt for an upper-half finish in the Missouri Valley Conference.
The Bears have lost two in a row and are trying to climb out of a tie for last place.
McFarland's game is on the upswing. He's averaging a team-best 11.3 points his last four games, bringing his season average to 6.5.
Coach Cuonzo Martin said it's a matter of McFarland playing with confidence after a tough middle portion of the season.
"He had some good numbers earlier in the season, but didn't play within the flow or with a lot of confidence," Martin said. "These last few games he's confident and has his head up."
McFarland said he's shaken a sprained ankle that kept him out of MSU's loss at Evansville on Jan. 7. Being healthy helps.
So does a clear mind.
"I'm not being hesitant; I'm just playing," McFarland said. "Most of the year I've been thinking a lot and haven't been playing my game."
Martin said most freshmen have ups and downs while adjusting to the college game.
It can be a physical challenge facing stronger, older opponents who have you well scouted.
"Veteran players aren't going to let you come in and do what you want," Martin said. "You have to earn your keep."
Added McFarland: "In high school it was just get to the basket for layup, layup, layup. I've had to adjust.
"Now I have to pull up and shoot more jump shots, more threes, stuff like that. But I think as the season keeps going I've adjusted well."
One of the keys tonight for MSU is containing Evansville senior forward Shy Ely, the league's leading scorer (17.6) and No. 5 rebounder (6.5).
Ely has helped the Aces to the league's biggest turnaround. They finished last in the league a year ago, winning only three conference games.
"I've watched him since high school and he's really developed his game," Martin said of Ely. "He doesn't shoot a lot of threes, but he knows how to score around the basket."
Ely is one of the Aces that McFarland would like to brag to when returning home during the offseason.
"If we lose, a lot of people are going to be talking smack and trash to me," McFarland said. "So I just want to get this win."
Playing against his hometown Evansville Purple Aces for the first time, McFarland has a personal stake in this one.
"I'm excited and ready to play them," he said. "I know a lot of guys on their team and they know me so it should be fun."
Evansville brings a two-game winning streak into JQH Arena and is looking to stay in the hunt for an upper-half finish in the Missouri Valley Conference.
The Bears have lost two in a row and are trying to climb out of a tie for last place.
McFarland's game is on the upswing. He's averaging a team-best 11.3 points his last four games, bringing his season average to 6.5.
Coach Cuonzo Martin said it's a matter of McFarland playing with confidence after a tough middle portion of the season.
"He had some good numbers earlier in the season, but didn't play within the flow or with a lot of confidence," Martin said. "These last few games he's confident and has his head up."
McFarland said he's shaken a sprained ankle that kept him out of MSU's loss at Evansville on Jan. 7. Being healthy helps.
So does a clear mind.
"I'm not being hesitant; I'm just playing," McFarland said. "Most of the year I've been thinking a lot and haven't been playing my game."
Martin said most freshmen have ups and downs while adjusting to the college game.
It can be a physical challenge facing stronger, older opponents who have you well scouted.
"Veteran players aren't going to let you come in and do what you want," Martin said. "You have to earn your keep."
Added McFarland: "In high school it was just get to the basket for layup, layup, layup. I've had to adjust.
"Now I have to pull up and shoot more jump shots, more threes, stuff like that. But I think as the season keeps going I've adjusted well."
One of the keys tonight for MSU is containing Evansville senior forward Shy Ely, the league's leading scorer (17.6) and No. 5 rebounder (6.5).
Ely has helped the Aces to the league's biggest turnaround. They finished last in the league a year ago, winning only three conference games.
"I've watched him since high school and he's really developed his game," Martin said of Ely. "He doesn't shoot a lot of threes, but he knows how to score around the basket."
Ely is one of the Aces that McFarland would like to brag to when returning home during the offseason.
"If we lose, a lot of people are going to be talking smack and trash to me," McFarland said. "So I just want to get this win."
