Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015, 3:00 p.m.
Gentile Arena, Chicago

Loyola meets cross-town rival UIC for the third time since leaving the Horizon League just three days after dropping their first game to a former HL rival, Cleveland State, by a 60-54 score. The Flames are struggling under first year head coach Steve McClain. At 1-7, the Flames’ lone win was a 96-58 pounding of Division III Roosevelt. Otherwise, UIC has dropped all seven of their Division I contests this year by an average of 17.7 points and ranks 346th among 351 Division I teams in RPI.

The Ramblers have also struggled lately, losing four of their last five—including losses to UNC-Asheville, Toledo, and Cleveland State. A three-point home win over Creighton has been the only bright spot since Thanksgiving, and but for a late surge against San Diego and at home against Toledo, the Ramblers could be plumbing the same depths as UIC. Turnovers, weak inside shooting, spotty production from newcomers, and nagging injuries have plagued the Ramblers this season.

UIC has mixed and matched their players, but appears to have settled on a starting lineup of guards Dominique Matthews, Paris Burns, and Lance Whitaker, along with 6’7” forward Dikembe Dixson and 6’9” center Tai Odiase. All five of UIC’s current starters are from Illinois, and all but Dixson are from the Chicago area.

A pair of freshmen, Freeport, Ill. native Dixson and 6’2” Dominique Matthews, out of St. Rita, are UIC’s top two scorers averaging in double digits. Dixson is a great rebounder (7.4 rpg) and outside shooter (leading the team with 10 three pointers on 25 attempts, for 40%), but has problems finishing closer to the basket. Although he averages a team-leading 13.1 points per game, he shoots only 32% on two-point shots. Matthews averages 11.0 points per game with high accuracy from distance (41.2%); he scored a game and career high of 20 points in his last outing against Illinois State on Wednesday.

Sophomore Tai Odiase averages 8.9 ppg and provides great rim protection inside. He leads the team with nearly two blocks per game, and well over half of his 4.9 rebounds per game are on the offensive glass.

Five foot eleven senior Paris Burns averages 8.3 ppg on 32.8% shooting from the field and operates as a point guard, but actually has fewer assists than 6’4”sophomore guard/forward Lance Whitaker. Burns leads the team in steals (7) and Whitaker tops the Flames in three point percentage, having hit six of his nine attempts.

Coming off the bench are some familiar names, including 6’8” senior forward Jake Wiegand and 6’3” senior guard Gabe Snider. Six-five freshman guard Michael Kolawole and 6’6” transfer Najeal Young also see considerable game time. Wiegand is a very efficient offensive player (6.1 ppg, 62.1% from the field) who was a starter until recently. Young is solidly built and rebounds with ferocity, averaging 4.7 caroms in only 15.4 mpg. Snider appears to have lost his shooting touch and is seeing dwindling playing time as his career winds down under a new coaching regime.

One hallmark of UIC teams that hasn’t changed much under a new coach and with Loyola in a new league is the Flames’ effort against rivals. UIC has always saved their best for key matchups—especially Loyola-- and nearly knocked off Illinois last weekend in what was a tie game with less than four minutes to play. The Flames hold a 30-22 all time series advantage over the Ramblers, and the Flames always seem to dig deeper and take particular pleasure in defeating Loyola. Since the Ramblers departed from the Horizon League the Flames are 17-56 overall (with 5 of those 17 wins against non Division 1 opponents) and 5-29 against league opponents. Even amid really dismal seasons the past two years, the Flames lost their two games against Loyola by a combined 13 points. Expect another extra energetic effort by UIC on Saturday as they seek to claim bragging rights against their most contentious rival.

Loyola game notes: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/loy ... 218aaa.pdf

UIC game notes: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/loy ... a_ilch.pdf

TV/Streaming video: ESPN3 (http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index/_/id ... olachicago)

Vegas odds: Loyola by 13

We are favored by 13 !! Unless we play AS A TEAM we could actually LOSE this game point spread not withstanding. I put the last game on the coach--he is allowed a bummer now and then--BUT then the team must actually help out--They have NOT all season--except Creighton.
This could be the game where we jell--It is past time , but we shall see.

I see a blowout LUC 77- UIC 53

Brot-
I hope your are correct. We should be able to beat this team with all five starters out. UIC is trying to install a new way of playing with new players. A well organized system that's been around for five years should have no problem. I'm still sick from Weds loss but I'm hoping we can wake up from that experience and use it to rattle off a nice 7 game win streak. We lose today and we are toast.

Today could be a Black Saturday for the league. We might be the only win in the conference today, if we can play better than Wednesday. WSU has already lost in OT to Seton Hall, Missouri State is trailing Valpo 35-23 at halftime, St. Joe's has a 22 point lead over ISUr midway through the second half, Drake plays Iowa and UNI plays Iowa State in a doubleheader in Des Moines, and ISUb plays at St. Louis.

UNC Asheville beat Georgetown in DC today, 79-73. Their 5-game winning streak started with us in Alaska.

Much better crowd, good start, and Montel scored in the paint with a baby hook 12 seconds after returning to the lineup.

Also good to see Jeff White back on the court today

Outrebounded 21-8 at the under 4 TO.

Good to see Montel back in action. Energy started out strong but UIC defense and their run slowed us down. Missing too many bunnies.

Turk had a tough head to head collision. No sign of him on the bench for the last 10 minutes. Lots of concussion tests probably.

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Living in the 60660.

Can we make our freaking layups, please?

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Cigarboy sucks!