CHICAGO (Sept. 20, 2024) – The majority of the missing pieces for the 2024-25 UIC men's basketball schedule fell into place Friday afternoon when the Missouri Valley Conference announced the 20-game league schedule for each of its 12 members. Friday's announcement complements the Flames' full non-conference docket that was released 10 days ago.
Schools will once again play 10 home games and 10 road games during conference play, facing nine opponents twice (home and away) and the other two teams just once ("single-play"). UIC is slated to get its MVC season underway Dec. 4 with a home contest against UNI at Credit Union 1 Arena. The Flames' two "single-play" matchups this year will be at Belmont (Jan. 4) and at home against defending MVC champion Indiana State (Feb. 1).
The full 2024-25 UIC men's basketball schedule can be found
here, while tipoff times and broadcast information will be released shortly.
"The Valley is one of the nation's elite mid-major conferences and is so deep from top to bottom every single year," said UIC first-year head coach
Rob Ehsan. "We know each night will bring new challenges, but we're excited for the opportunity that lies ahead. Now that our schedule is set, it's the perfect time for our incredible Flames fans to lock in their tickets and join us at Credit Union 1 Arena this season — it's going to #BeLegendary!"
UIC is beginning its third season as a member of the MVC, which once again showed its strength by finishing among the top 10 conferences nationally in the NCAA NET rankings and sending four teams to postseason play, highlighted by Indiana State's runner-up finish in the NIT. The Flames more than showed their competitiveness during last year's MVC season, having either led, been tied or within one possession of the lead in the second half of 17 of their 20 conference games, as well as both MVC Tournament contests.
UIC enters a new era this fall with Ehsan's arrival and a fresh, exciting new look that features 11 newcomers who make up one of the highest-ranked incoming classes in The Valley. UIC will also bring back two veteran starters in senior forward
Filip Skobalj, who averaged a career-high 8.2 ppg. and ranked second in the MVC with a .418 three-point percentage (.467 in conference games, leading all 2024-25 MVC returnees in both categories), and senior guard
Ethan Pickett, who added 6.0 ppg. and was second on the team with a .533 field-goal percentage last season.
Among some of the highlights for UIC during this year's MVC schedule:
- Six of the Flames' 10 Valley home games will take place on the weekend, creating ideal opportunities for UIC fans to join the fun and support Chicago's College Team with afternoon matinees — Jan. 11 (Bradley), Jan. 25 (Southern Illinois), Feb. 1 (Indiana State), Feb. 16 (Missouri State), Feb. 22 (Evansville) and March 2 (Valparaiso).
- UIC will also play on the weekend at its closest conference opponent, Valparaiso, visiting the Beacons on Jan. 18 in a prime chance for fans to support their Flames on the road.
- A unique New Year's Day home matchup against reigning MVC Tournament champion Drake. Last year, UIC and Drake played one of the highest-scoring games in MVC history, going three overtimes (also at Credit Union 1 Arena) before the Bulldogs edged out the Flames, 107-105. This will also be UIC's first New Year's Day game in 14 years since a 2011 trip to former Horizon League foe Cleveland State and UIC's first home New Year's contest since the program elevated to NCAA Division I status for the 1981-82 season. The Flames were scheduled to play at home on Jan. 1 in both 2021 (Detroit Mercy) and 2022 (Cleveland State), but those Horizon League games were cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns.
- UIC will face Missouri State for the final time as MVC members on Feb. 16 at Credit Union 1 Arena. MSU has announced plans to leave The Valley after this season.
- The Flames will close out the regular season at home on March 2 with a return encounter against Valparaiso. It will also serve as UIC's Senior Day, with the Flames' veterans celebrated in a special ceremony at Credit Union 1 Arena.
- The 2025 State Farm MVC Tournament (known as "Arch Madness") will take place March 6-9 at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis. UIC advanced to the quarterfinals of last year's tournament, picking up the program's first Arch Madness win with an 84-82 double-overtime victory over Southern Illinois in the first round.
All UIC home games are played at the Flames' historic Credit Union 1 Arena, and 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).
