Last season was supposed to be the season UIC put it all together. For a while it looked like that's exactly what would happen. A six-game winning streak early in the season that included victories over Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt made it seem like the Flames were going to be a contender in the Horizon League. Unfortunately, it never quite came together for Jimmy Collins' bunch.
This season a very young team will try and a new brand of basketball in order to rev up the Flames' game.
Last Season: 16-15 (8-11 Horizon League)
'08-'09 Pomeroy Profile: 130th (113th on Offense, 176th on Defense)
Departures: G Josh Mayo, C Scott VanderMeer, F Tori Boyd, F Rob Eppinger, F Jovan Ignatovic
Arrivals: F Brad Birton, C Louis Green, C K.C. Robbins, G Erin Pryor, G Anthony Kelley, G Austin Hood, G Arthur Wiley, G Corey Gray
Key Non-Conference Games: Nov. 23 vs. Illinois State; Nov. 28 at Southern Illinois; Dec. 5 at DePaul; Dec. 16 vs. Oregon State; Dec. 19 vs. Northern Illinois; Dec. 22 at Akron; Dec. 27 at Wisconsin
Summary: The leadership and experience that was the hallmark of UIC last season has been replaced by a bunch of hungry young players. Gone are stalwarts Josh Mayo and Scott VanderMeer and in their place are a number of intriguing young players. Just 36.6 percent of UIC's total points return from last season (and that number drops below 30 percent if the suspended Spencer Stewart doesn't return). Collins is going to earn his salary this season as he coaches up the young Flames squad. Nonetheless it should be an exciting team to watch and one that should grow together as the season progresses and set UIC up for an exciting 2010-11 campaign. That's what this season is about, setting the table for a brighter future.
That future begins in the backcourt with junior guard Robert "Robo" Kreps. Kreps is a sharpshooter and UIC's leading returning scorer. He scored 12.3 points per game last season, second to Mayo. The plan was to have senior guard Stewart team up with Kreps in the backcourt, but at the moment that's not possible because Stewart was suspended indefinitely by the team during the offseason. Instead Kris Harris, who played 11.1 minutes per game during his junior season, is going to have to take on a much bigger role. Anthony Kelley is a 6'6" freshman shooting guard that's ready to play now. He seems like a logical candidate for the first man off the bench in the backcourt. Sophomore guard Zavion Neely, who played 6.2 minutes per game in 8 games as a freshman, might also fill in at the point position with Stewart out.
The UIC recruiting class brought in a lot of frontcourt players, and that's a good thing because they're going to need to play right away. After the early departures of Eppinger and Boyd, the Flames are suddenly dangerously inexperienced upfront. Jeremy Buttell, 5.6 rebound per game and 4.7 points per game, is going to have to pick up his game this season. Other than Buttell the frontcourt is wide open. Jelani Poston impressed during his limited opportunities his freshman year, but Collins said in the preseason podcast that Poston is out until second semester. When he plays the Flames will have another long, athletic scorer in the post. In order to replace the departed VanderMeer the Flames recruited two big freshman centers in K.C. Robbins and Louis Green. Both could see significant minutes this season. One other name worth remembering is junior forward Brad Birton who comes in from South Suburban College.
The other interesting note is that Collins has mentioned trying to go more up-tempo this season. In his podcast he discussed the possibility of even playing some press defense. That could work well with the youth on the team. It's a scheme that emphasizes athleticism and energy, two things UIC has a lot of. Whatever he decides to do, how he integrates all the new talent, and which players step up, will be fascinating to follow.
Best Case Scenario: Kreps shoots the lights out, Stewart is able to return, Buttell ups his scoring, Poston comes back ready to play, the young players are as good or better than advertised and the Flames gel together quickly. A .500 Horizon League record at 9-9 would be an improvement over last season and a great harbinger for more success in 2010-11.
Worst Case Scenario: Stewart and Poston never see the court, Kreps struggles with his shot as defenses collapse on him, the young players look out of place and the team plays like a bunch of players that have had just a few weeks of practice together. If those things happen a long season is possible and a 9th or 10th place finish in the Horizon League would be likely.
Chicago College Basketball's Bold Prediction: UIC upsets one of the Top 3 teams in the Horizon League during the second half of an otherwise disappointing season. The Flames struggle against a very challenging non-conference schedule, don't pick it up too much during conference play and finish with fewer than 10 wins overall.
Tomorrow: Loyola-Chicago
Filed under: Uncategorized
Tags: Robo Kreps, UIC
Tough upcoming season for us Flames fans! First season in a long time with such low expectations! Maybe we can pull out a few surprise upsets! There should be little to no pressure on these kids! Hope they are at least hustlers and fun to watch, and one or two develope for the future!