UIC comes to Carbondale for the first time as a Missouri Valley member.
The Flames won on Saturday to end a 10 game losing streak. UIC has won 2 true road games this year against #362 Green Bay and #308 Western Michigan. Their highest ranked win this year is against #255 Illinois State at home.
Meet the Flames:
The Flames are coached by Luke Yaklich in his 3rd season as head coach. Yaklich coached high school basketball around the Chicago suburbs before landing an assistant role for Dan Muller at Illinois State. He then spent time at Michigan and Texas before getting the job at UIC.
UIC is 313rd in the country in D-1 experience on their roster (1.12 years) and 319th in the country in minutes continuity from last season (19.2%). Over the Summer, UIC lost their best player Damaria Franklin to Memphis.
What the Flames do well:
The Flames haven't been an awful team on the defensive end this year. UIC is 74th in the country in 3 point % against (31.8%) and 149th in the country in effective field goal % against (49.9%). The Flames are also 79th in the country in turnover % on the defensive end (20.3%) and 48th in the country in block % (12.0%).
What the Flames don't do well:
Where the Flames have really struggled this year is on the offensive end. UIC is 323rd in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency. UIC is 239th in the country in 3 point % (32.7%), 245th in the country in 2 point % (48.7%), and 260th in the country in effective field goal % (48.8%). The Flames get blocked on the offensive end almost more than anyone in the country at 11.9% (344th). If a game comes down to free throws, the Flames are shooting 66.1% this year, 327th in the country.
UIC doesn't rebound well on either sides of the ball. They're 341st in the country in offensive rebounding % (21.7%) and 298th in the country in offensive rebounding % against (31.4%).
Players to watch:
The Flames leading scorer this season is 6-5 Sophomore Jace Carter averaging 16.2 points per game. Carter was a 3 star recruit out of Titusville, Florida and chose UIC over offers from Appalachian State, Florida Gulf Coast, Jacksonville, and James Madison. Carter was named to the Horizon League All-Freshman team last season. This season, Carter is 65th in the country in % of minutes played (87.3%). Carter is 144th in the country in 2 point % (90-145, 62.1%), 438th in the country in effective field goal % (53.4%), and 471st in the country in true shooting % (56.5%). Carter is also 242nd in the country in steal % (2.9%), 462nd in the country in defensive rebounding % (17.2%), and 355th in the country in free throw rate (39.0%).
UIC's leading rebounder is 6-8 Junior Toby Okani averaging 7.0 rebounds per game. Okani started his collegiate career at Duquesne where he made 25 career starts in two seasons. This season, Okani is 247th in the country in block % and 242nd in the country in defensive rebounding % (20.0%).
The Flames leader in possessions and assists is 6-1 Senior Tre Anderson averaging 3.5 assists per game. Anderson spent 3 seasons at San Francisco before spending last year at Idaho where he averaged 14.4 points per game and led the team in assists with 3.5 per game. This season, Anderson is 227th in the country in assist rate (24.1%), 124th in the country in fouls drawn per 40 minutes (5.3) and 98th in the country in free throw rate (53.6%).
Links:
Troy D'Amico Radio Interview on In the Dawghouse
I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by the margin of victory vs Missouri State. I am anticipating that energy to carry over for UIC. We absolutely must take care of business at home, which for the majority have done so. UIC will not go away easily, but we should win the physical battle. An away game that has me concerned is Valpo. They most certainly have some talent ala Kobe King, and their big man Krikke is an excellent post player.
However, first thing first. Hose the Flames, and then complete/execute the business trip to very scenic DesMoines, Iowa.
GO DAWGS!!!
A win Wednesday, where we potentially could be sitting alone in first knowing that Drake, Bradley, and Belmont all have tough games on their own, would be a monumental advantage before we head to an away game at Drake.
Troy D'Amico on In the Dawghouse:
https://www.1035espn.com/episode/in-the-dawghouse-2-6-23-troy-damico/
https://twitter.com/dc_dylan20/status/1622997250031988736?s=20&t=6MgXvYXe29XJvV4FtlyYPg
So very thrilled to see the respect that this program is beginning to garner with our third ESPN National broadcast. The atmosphere is going to be a glorious college environment. I will not be selling my season tickets for this one folks!
GO DAWGS!!!
I've been down there for a couple of games this year, including Sunday afternoon. I would really love to go down there tonight, but it's too far for a school night. I did do it 15-20 years ago but not anymore. Of course, we didn't have the option of ESPN+ back in those days.
I'd like to see: 1. A win; 2. D'Amico build off Mo State with another game of finishing strong in the paint; 3. Southern have the game in hand early enough to get meaningful time for the younger bench guys ... on paper, it's the best remaining chance on the schedule to do so.
I'd like to see: 1. A win; 2. D'Amico build off Mo State with another game of finishing strong in the paint; 3. Southern have the game in hand early enough to get meaningful time for the younger bench guys ... on paper, it's the best remaining chance on the schedule to do so.
Im not falling into that trap again, and it has nothing to do with said player.Too many times I see guys have that one breakout game, and then never break out.Let’s just hope somebody other than Domask can score. That’s my hope for every game with this team.
Supporter of the Fab 4: Scottie Ebube, Foster Wonders, AJ Ferguson & Cade Hornecker.
They’re the ones that can get us where we haven’t been in 15 years.
Mike Reis interview with Chris Lowery:
