MACOMB, Ill. - ESPN announced the pairings for the 2012 Sears BracketBusters and the Western Illinois men's basketball team will travel to Evansville, Ind. to face the Purple Aces of Evansville.

The two teams will face-off in the Ford Center on Saturday, Feb. 18th. The start time for the game will be announced as soon as it becomes available.

Evansville currently stands 10-11 overall and 5-6 in Missouri Valley play. The Purple Aces have competed in eight previous BracketBusters games and own a 3-5 record. Last season they fell to Murray State on the road, 72-47.

The Leathernecks have faced the Purple Aces twice in program history, falling to them at home on Dec. 6th, 2004, then suffering their other loss the following season, on the road on Dec. 10th, 2005.

In return, Evansville will make the journey to Macomb next season, making them the first Missouri Valley time to visit Western Hall since Purple Aces did in 2004.

For more information about the 2012 Sear BracketBusters, visit the official site, HERE.

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