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Tough task ahead for "Road Warrior" Flames at Hinkle
(2/07/03)
UIC has the daunting task of going into Hinkle Fieldhouse Saturday and playing the Butler Bulldogs for the rights to first place in Horizon League.
Recent history hasn't favored the Flames in the quests against the Bulldogs-in fact, Butler has defeated the Flames nine straight times. The last time UIC defeated Butler was a 72-62 victory at the Pavilion in 1998 when the Flames were on their way to a 22-6 mark.
UIC's chances for a victory in Hinkle Fieldhouse have improved dramatically for two reasons. One, the Flames are a better team than in recent seasons. Secondly, UIC sports a 4-0 road record in the Horizon League-the only school without a conference loss on the road. The Flames are 7-3 away from home overall, including victories at Northwestern and Detroit.
UIC coach Jimmy Collins notes that the Flames come out slowly at home, but are ready to go on the road.
"I think we are far more focused on the road," Collins said. "There are a lot of distractions at home, but once we go on the road, we really get a chance to bond as a team. There's nobody on the trip, except the team, so we're constantly talking about the task at hand."
One reason for Butler's recent success was their defense on UIC superstar Cedrick Banks. The Bulldogs have smothered the 6-foot-2-inch Flames guard for much of the last three meetings.
Banks had a season-low four points on 2-of-8 shooting in 29 minutes in Butler's 68-65 victory at the Pavilion on Jan. 4. Banks averaged 15.5 points per game against the Bulldogs last year, but did put in 19 points in last
year's game at Hinkle-a 85-61 Butler victory.
"I just have to go out and play my game and get my teammates involved," said
Banks, who is averaging 20.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
One of those teammates is Armond Williams, who was not only involved in the team's Jan. 4 meeting, but also dominated, scoring 26 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, and almost single-handedly won the game for UIC.
Williams, a 6-foot-5 menace in the post, is averaging 13.5 points and 7.7
rebounds per game. He's also fifth in the nation in field-goal percentage at 65 percent.
Martell Bailey has primarily responsible for hitting Williams with crisp
passes in the low post, and it shows with a NCAA-leading 8.7 assists per contest.
Four Flames average in double figures in scoring, including Aaron Carr (11.5
ppg) and Bailey (10.9), while Jonathan Schneiderman is at 9.8.
The Bulldogs counter with a balanced attack of their own with hard-nosed
guard Brandon Miller leading the way, averaging 12.8 points per game. Senior guard Darnell Archey checks in at 11.2 points per game and almost never misses at the free-throw line.
Mike Monserez and Duane Lightfoot each average 10.4 points, while senior center Joel Cornette is at 9.5.
The Flames must be aware of senior Lewis Curry, who burned UIC with a couple of clutch shots at the Pavilion. The 6-foot-7 forward has a three-point touch that defenders can not ignore. That, along with Miller and Archey's three-point marksmanship, has the Bulldogs, shooting 42 percent from beyond the arc-first in the Horizon.
UIC enters the game at 15-5 overall and 9-2 in league play, while Butler is
17-3 and 7-1. Butler has lost to only Hawaii (in overtime),Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Duke.
The game tips off a 5 p.m. with broadcasts on Fox Sports Net and ESPN Radio 1000.
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