Playing the Point at Evansville

Junior Tayshawn Comer

(St. Louis, MO) – Playing the point guard position is the most demanding position in basketball and Evansville’s Tayshawn Comer is hard-wired for that role. The 6’1 guard transferred from Eastern Kentucky and coach David Ragland has given him the keys to the car.

Comer believes his team will be very successful this year.

Ragland’s roster is an interesting blend of size, skill and experience. Playing the point gives Comer the opportunity to see how his teammates react in different situations and he is confident this year’s Purple Aces have what it takes to compete at the highest level of the Missouri Valley Conference.

Why Evansville and What Does He Bring?

Comer spent two seasons at EKU with successful head coach A.W. Hamilton. The Colonels won the Atlantic Sun Conference, but the Indianapolis native was looking for a new challenge and a fresh start. While he likes and respects both Hamilton and Ragland, the two coaches are very different. Comer says the energetic Hamilton and the laid back Ragland each can get their point across.

Comer’s numbers at EKU were good. He averaged 7.8 points and three assists per game. He was a threat from deep, making 37 percent of his long distance attempts and collected 26 steals. The former ASUN all-freshman team member has all-MVC potential.

In describing his own game, he says he’ll do a little bit of everything and that he loves to defend. Hard work is at the center of what Comer is all about.

Comer says the playing the point is about ‘being a dog’ and doing whatever it takes to win games.

Current Crop of Purple Aces

Ragland’s recruiting class is impressive, but his returners bring a lot to the table. All-bench team member Tanner Cuff returns after a very solid season. Coach Ragland says he’s worked on his body and he is bigger, stronger and quicker than last season. Cam Haffner and Joshua Hughes were significant contributors on last season’s 17-win team. Those three provided a solid core.

Newcomers Connor Turnbull (Butler), Ramondo Battle II (Walters State CC) and Italian import Gabriel Pozzato join Comer to headline the latest crop of Purple Aces.

UE played an exhibition game recently and Comer says that game confirmed to him that the Aces can be very good. He believes Pozzato will make Valley fans take notice.

The 6’10 Turnbull was 2022’s third ranked player coming out the State of Missouri when he signed with Butler. Comer says the combination of Turnbull and Hughes will be the Valley’s best big man combo. He brags that Cuff and Haffner will also turn some heads.

The Purple Aces open the season Tuesday, November 5, at Texas State.

Head to YouTube to watch our entire conversation or run to Valley Hoops Insider Podcasts to listen.

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