EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Sweet Jesus, they make yellow basketballs. Who knew?

Today's shootaround was highlighted by the bus driver rolling in and noticing the yellow weighted balls and getting beside himself. "Well I'll be ... I ain't ever seen a yellow basketball. Why would they make that?" This kept him busy for the next several minutes as he was amazed at the marvels of modern training tools. Even after returning to his seat later, he was still taken aback by the yellow balls.

Wow ... what is this?!? Hmm.. oh well, time for a smoke break.

While the rest of the team was busy with the walkthrough, Katie Nicholson was at the other end working on her shot. Mr. Bus Driver, a former coaching standout, was kind enough to give her instructions at last night's practice on how to become a lethal shooter. "Ya'll watch this — I done made a shooter out of her," were his words as he strolled on past those of us posted up on the wall. That's how easy it is, folks. Now she hardly misses.

Unstoppable.

After a stunningly brilliant workout, the team was rewarded with a trip to the glorious Evansville mall. Sugar Bears trainer and resident Evansville expert Laura Reiminger reports the mall has a giant carousel, so that should give the bus driver further reason for amazement. Fake horses with a rod shot through their backs, inside a mall? The wonders never cease.

We opted to pass on the mall experience to come back to the hotel to put in work. We're not just huge on hanging around the mall to begin with, but if we're in there long we're going to be tempted to buy something — and we like expensive electronics. That's a recipe for disaster. So, thanks to Monty "The Legend" Rowell and his fine rental car, we're back at the Nancy Drew Suites & Chalets.

Oh, one final note leading into the game. Last night, Mike Cheaney told us that the Purple Aces are a physical team. Before they took the court today after the Sugar Bears were done, their manager brought out a bunch of big blocking pads. They hit the floor and one girl has a bandage around her forehead, and another had something across her nose. Could've been a Breathe Right strip, might've been some bandaging. Hard to tell. Anyway, should be interesting to see just how rough they like it.

More tonight at/after the game.