CHICAGO (Oct. 2, 2024) – UIC senior forward Filip Skobalj (Belgrade, Serbia/Don Bosco-Schule Rostock) was named to the 2024-25 Preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference Third Team, it was announced Wednesday by the conference office.
 
A two-time MVC Scholar-Athlete, Skobalj (pronounced SHKO-ball) is the Flames' top returning scorer and rebounder from a season ago, when he averaged career highs of 8.2 points and 3.6 rebounds in 31 games, starting 29 times. He also ranked second in the MVC in three-point percentage, and is the top returning player in the conference, with career-best three-point marks both overall (.418) and during Valley play (.467). Last year, he scored in double figures 12 times, including a career-high 21 points in a Feb. 11 win over UNI when he went a perfect 7-for-7 from the field (5-for-5 from three-point range).
 
Entering his final season at UIC, Skobalj ranks 10^th in school history with 163 career three-pointers made and ninth with 424 three-point attempts.
 
UIC is beginning its third season as a member of the MVC and its first under new head coach Rob Ehsan. The Flames will also offer a fresh, exciting new look that features 11 newcomers who make up one of the highest-ranked incoming classes in The Valley.
 
The 2024-25 UIC men's basketball schedule has been announced (tip times and TV coverage are pending), with all home games played at the Flames' historic Credit Union 1 Arena, starting with the season opener on Nov. 4 against St. Francis (Ill.). Fans can learn more about purchasing season tickets and securing access to the spacious and elite Courtside Club by contacting the UIC Athletics Ticket Office (312.413.UIC1; athleticsticketing@uic.edu). Special ticketing plans and single-game tickets for the 2024-25 UIC basketball season will go on sale in the coming weeks, with an announcement on that timeline forthcoming.
 
Fans are strongly encouraged to support NIL opportunities for UIC scholar-athletes through contributions to The Chicago Collective.
 
For more information on UIC men's basketball, fans are encouraged to visit UICFlames.com, or follow the Flames on social media through X (@UIC_MBB and @UICFlames) and Instagram (@uic_mbb and @uicflames).