Aug. 6, 2001
Chicago, Ill. - A season-opening showdown with 2001 NCAA Tournament participant Indiana State, a pair of prestigious December tournaments and a 16-game Horizon League slate highlight the 2001-02 University of Illinois at Chicago men's basketball schedule, which was released today.
The highly anticipated campaign, which includes the debut of former all-state Westinghouse High School standouts Martell Bailey and Cedrick Banks, kicks off on Sunday, Nov. 18, when the Flames host Indiana State at 5:00 p.m. at the UIC Pavilion. It will be the first-ever meeting between UIC and the Sycamores, who, as the #13 seed in the 2001 NCAA Tournament, knocked off #4 Oklahoma, 70-68, in the first round.
UIC will host a total of 13 home outings, including three straight to open the year as St. Joseph's (Ind.) (Nov. 21) and Evansville (Nov. 27) follow the opener with Indiana State. After playing five of its first seven outings at the friendly confines of the Pavilion, which is currently undergoing fan-friendly renovations, the Flames will spend a good portion of December away from the Windy City. UIC is slated to participate in the Las Vegas Classic, which will feature three 2001 NIT participants and one NCAA Tourney team, prior to the Christmas break from December 20-22. Following the holidays, the Flames will head to sunny Florida for the South Florida Shootout on Dec. 28-29 where it will meet up with Hofstra in first round action.
UIC kicks off Horizon League competition with a pair of home outings versus Detroit, which reached the NIT Final Four last spring, on Jan. 3 and Cleveland State on Jan. 5. The Flames' first showdown with crosstown rival, Loyola, is scheduled for Jan. 17 when they'll head up Lake Shore Drive to battle the Ramblers. Loyola visits the UIC Pavilion on Feb. 16.
The Horizon League, which upped its membership to nine during the spring with the addition of Youngstown State, will host its post-season tournament at Cleveland State on March 1-5.
For the entire 2001-02 UIC men's basketball schedule click here.
