Dec. 10, 2015
CHICAGO -- After finishing the fall semester with a week of final exams, the UIC Flames are primed and ready to hit the hardwood once again when they welcome their sister institution, the Illinois Fighting Illini, to the United Center on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 1 p.m.
The game marks the third clash at the home of the NBA's Chicago Bulls since the 2010-11 season. The Flames captured that initial contest on Dec. 18, 2010, knocking off the 12th-ranked Illini, 57-54. The visitors from downstate evened things up, however, with a win on Dec. 28, 2013. Saturday's game will be the 16th matchup all-time between the two sides since they first hooked up on Dec. 11, 1987 in Champaign.
Below are a few headlines as UIC and Illinois prepare to lock horns once again on Saturday afternoon:
LOCAL FLAVOR
Eight of the 15 players on UIC's roster are native to the state of Illinois, and seven of those Flames hail from the Chicagoland area. Seniors Paris Burns (Proviso East H.S.) and Gabe Snider (Whitney Young H.S.) are from Chicago, as is junior Josh Joiner (Willowbrook H.S.) and freshman Dominique Matthews (St. Rita H.S.). Sophomores Lance Whitaker (Bartlett H.S.) and Tai Odiase (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), plus freshman Julian Torres (Bolingbrook H.S.) call suburban Chicagoland home. Finally, freshman Dikembe Dixson is originally from Freeport, Ill., a town about 110 miles northwest of the Windy City. He completed his prep career in West Virginia.
LINEUP SHUFFLE
UIC head coach Steve McClain has used six different starting lineups through the first six games. Eight different Flames have received a nod, while Tai Odiase and Dikembe Dixson have opened all six games. UIC began its last contest at Central Florida with a senior (Jake Wiegand), two sophomores (Odiase and Lance Whitaker) and two true freshmen (Dixson and Dominique Matthews). At least 12 players have received playing time in every game of the McClain era, and a season-high 13 played against DePaul on Dec. 2.
WINDEX MEN
UIC leads the Horizon League and ranks 16th in the NCAA with 44.2 rebounds per game. Freshman Dikembe Dixson paces the squad and ranks tied for seventh in the conference with 6.5 boards per game. On the offensive end, the Flames average 16.2 rebounds per game, ranking sixth in the country in that category. Those boards have helped UIC average 16.5 second-chance points per game. Last time out against UCF, the Flames corralled 27 offensive rebounds.
BENCH MOB
UIC's bench has accounted for nearly 40 percent (154 of 403) of the team's total offensive output this season. The second unit has eclipsed 35 points twice this season, most recently vs. Roosevelt on Nov. 24 (39). Najeal Young is leading the group with 6.2 ppg and 5.0 rpg off the bench. The Flames used a season-high eight players off the bench against DePaul on Dec. 2.
Tickets are still available for Saturday's 1 p.m. tipoff. For more information, or to purchase today, please call 312-413-UIC1 or visit ="" http:="" www="" ticketmaster="" com="" university-of-illinois-fighting-illini-mens-chicago-illinois-12-12-2015="" event="" 04004f45a8321394="" artistid="852193&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=7" "="">Ticketmaster today.
The Flames return to the UIC Pavilion on Wednesday, Dec. 16 to host another instate foe, the Illinois State Redbirds, at 8 p.m.
