Each of the five college basketball teams in Chicago have something to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving. While you're eating turkey and getting stuffed on stuffing these teams will be practicing and getting ready for opponents that await this weekend. Here's what each team has to be thankful for, in alphabetical order.
Chicago State is thankful for the upcoming return of Jonathan Montgomery. The junior transfer from Northern Iowa will be eligible shortly and should give the Cougars another solid player to put in their rotation. Montgomery was an All-Great West Conference honorable mention in the preseason so everyone respects his talent. The Cougars are also going to be thankful to be sleeping in their own beds tonight as nine of their next 10 games are on the road.
Giving Thanks
DePaul is thankful for their new found defensive intensity. The Blue Demons rank 17th in the country in overall adjusted defensive efficiency. Even when Mac Koshwal was out, DePaul got a victory in the Paradise Jam tournament over St. Joseph's. Head coach Jerry Wainwright is probably thankful for the fact that he's gotten the chance to coach this season with a more experienced team that looks more competitive than originally expected. While it will take at least an NIT appearance to save Wainwright's job, that's still a possibility, something that didn't seem possible before the season started.
Loyola-Chicago is thankful for intensity and deep rotations. Those two characteristics have carried the Ramblers to three straight victories against decent NCAA Division I competition. Loyola has one more tune-up against non-NCAA Division I St. Ambrose before the beginning of Horizon League play. The Ramblers go on the road for their first two games at Milwaukee and at Green Bay, but Loyola can be thankful that Jordan Hicks will be returning soon from injury and giving the Ramblers another talented scoring option.
Northwestern is thankful for second chances. The Wildcats lost to nationally-ranked Butler, but on Friday Northwestern gets another chance for a big win against Notre Dame which is ranked #23 in the AP poll at the UIC Pavilion. The Wildcats should also be happy for new beginnings as two young players, Drew Crawford and Alex Marcotullio, both appear to be ready to contribute to the rotation as freshman. Crawford had his best game as a collegian against Liberty and Marcotullio has shown a knack for hitting the defense-stretching three-point shot.
UIC is thankful for the continued improvement of young players and a new foundation. Zavion Neely appears to be developing into an exciting young point guard and K.C. Robbins, Louis Green and Anthony Kelley offer hope for a better Flames squad in the future. With Jeremy Buttell the only senior in the rotation youth will continue to be served throughout the season. There are certainly going to be more bumps along the way - UIC plays a brutal non-conference schedule, but changes are coming.
Loyola-Chicago is thankful for intensity and deep rotations. Those two characteristics have carried the Ramblers to three straight victories against decent NCAA Division I competition. Loyola has one more tune-up against non-NCAA Division I St. Ambrose before the beginning of Horizon League play. The Ramblers go on the road for their first two games at Milwaukee and at Green Bay, but Loyola can be thankful that Jordan Hicks will be returning soon from injury and giving the Ramblers another talented scoring option.
Northwestern is thankful for second chances. The Wildcats lost to nationally-ranked Butler, but on Friday Northwestern gets another chance for a big win against Notre Dame which is ranked #23 in the AP poll at the UIC Pavilion. The Wildcats should also be happy for new beginnings as two young players, Drew Crawford and Alex Marcotullio, both appear to be ready to contribute to the rotation as freshman. Crawford had his best game as a collegian against Liberty and Marcotullio has shown a knack for hitting the defense-stretching three-point shot.
UIC is thankful for the continued improvement of young players and a new foundation. Zavion Neely appears to be developing into an exciting young point guard and K.C. Robbins, Louis Green and Anthony Kelley offer hope for a better Flames squad in the future. With Jeremy Buttell the only senior in the rotation youth will continue to be served throughout the season. There are certainly going to be more bumps along the way - UIC plays a brutal non-conference schedule, but changes are coming.
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