With less than a month before the first exhibition game of the season, the UIC women's basketball team held their first official practice Thursday morning. Head coach
Regina Miller put her squad through position drills, fast break scenarios, and began to install offensive principles.
Shortly after practice, Miller traveled to Detroit for the Horizon League's Media Day. She and the league's other coaches took in a Red Wings game at the brand new Little Caesar's Arena, home of the Horizon League men's and women's basketball championships. Meeting with the media on Friday, Miller noted that her team skews young, with five freshmen on the roster, but can count on leadership from the upperclassmen who have been on the team for three or more years.
Video footage of the team's first practice and Miller's Media Day session can be seen below.
The Horizon League also released its preseason poll and All-Conference teams. Defending champion Green Bay was selected by the league's head coaches, sports information directors, and media to finish the season at the top of the standings again. UIC was slotted tenth. The full results of the voting can be seen below.
The Flames will open their exhibition slate with a contest against Governor's State November 2 at UIC Pavilion. The regular season starts November 10 when the Flames host Bethel. Following a double-round robin conference schedule, Motor City Madness will be staged in Detroit March 2 through 6.
2017-18 Horizon League Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
| Place |
Team (First Place Votes) |
Points |
| 1. |
Green Bay (21) |
246 |
| 2. |
Wright State (4) |
204 |
| 3. |
Oakland |
139 |
| 4. |
Milwaukee |
129 |
| 5. |
Detroit Mercy |
126 |
| 6. |
Cleveland State |
117 |
| 7. |
IUPUI |
106 |
| 8. |
Youngstown State |
93 |
| 9. |
Northern Kentucky |
59 |
| 10. |
UIC |
31 |
Player of the Year
Chelsea Welch, Wright State
First Team
Ashanti Abshaw, Cleveland State
Brianne Cohen, Detroit Mercy
Jessica Lindstrom, Green Bay
Steph Kostowicz, Milwaukee
Chelsea Welch, Wright State
Second Team
Khayla Livingston, Cleveland State
Allie LeClaire, Green Bay
Danielle Lawrence, IUPUI
Taylor Jones, Oakland
Lexi Smith, Wright State
