CHICAGO -- UIC returns home to begin the start of Horizon League play on Thursday, Dec. 2, when the Flames play host to Oakland in the Horizon League opener for both programs. Tip-off inside Credit Union 1 Arena is slated for 7 p.m.

OPENING TIP
• The Flames dropped a pair of games at the Las Vegas Classic over the Thanksgiving holiday. UIC dropped an 88-80 decision to Hawaii in the opener before falling to San Diego, 64-52, in the tournament finale. Damaria Franklin was named to the All-Tournament Team after leading the team in scoring in both contests. 
• Kevin Johnson leads the Horizon League with 7.2 assists per game, while his game-high nine assists in UIC's victory over Valpo are the second-highest single-game assist total in the League so far this season. Johnson ranks eighth nationally in assists per game.

MATCHUP BREAKDOWN
• UIC and Oakland will be meeting for the 22nd time in program history Thursday evening.
• The Golden Grizzlies own a 16-5 advantage in the series history but the Flames swept the season series a year ago with a pair of home wins.
• Oakland is led by long-time head coach Greg Kampe. Kampe, who is in his 38th season at the helm of the Golden Grizzlies, has complied a 649-494 record during his time in charge of the program.

DISH IT OUT
• UIC newcomer Kevin Johnson has run the offense to near perfection this season, handing out a team-leading 40 assists while only turning the ball over 15 times. 
• Johnson's 40 total assists and 6.7 assists per game are both tops in the Horizon League while his 6.7 assists per contest ranks eighth nationally.
• Johnson's nine assists in UIC's win over Valparaiso are the second-most in a game by any Horizon League player this year. 
• UIC dished out a season-high 28 assists in its 91-50 win over Trinity Christian on Nov. 16. The 28 helpers are the most under Luke Yaklich and were just three shy of matching the program record for most assists in a game (31, twice, last vs. Northeastern Illinois on Dec. 9, 1987).

PICKED THE POCKET
• In UIC's 91-50 victory over Trinity Christian, Jamie Ahale registered a career-high four steals.
• The four swipes are the most by and Flames player under head coach Luke Yaklich.
• Ahale's four steals are tied for the second most by any Horizon League player in a game this year.
• Damaria Franklin matched the effort with four steals against San Diego on Nov. 26.

SWAT IT AWAY
• Michael Diggins has made life at the rim difficult for opposing players as the UIC veteran ranks tied for third in the Horizon League with seven blocks on the year. 
• Three of Diggins' four blocks came in UIC's 74-70 victory over Valparaiso on Nov. 13.