Big 3 committed to comeback 100 percent

STARS FOCUS ON GRADUATION, RETURN NEXT YEAR

(3/19/04)

KANSAS CITY—How can a 25-point loss in the first round of the NCAA tournament be a building block?

Just ask the “Big Three” of the UIC Flames—guards Cedrick Banks and Martell Bailey and forward Armond Williams. All three are seniors, but all sat out their freshman years due to failing to meet NCAA initial eligibility standards.

However, Banks, Bailey and Williams (pictured from left to right) are right on track to graduate this spring, and each has made known his intention of returning for an extra year.

“I’m going to hit the weights this summer,” said the 6-foot-5-inch Williams, who had just two points on 1-of-8 shooting in the Flames’ 78-53 loss to Kansas. “I’m going to work on my ball-handling and my jump shot. Right now, I’m concentrating on graduation and earning my last year of eligibility back.”

Banks, who led UIC (24-8) with 15 points, including three three-pointers, said after the game that the loss will motivate him.

“It will make me get in the weight room and be a gym rat all summer,” Banks said. “That was what I did last summer.”

When asked again if he’ll return, Banks replied: “Of course, that’s always been the case. I’ll be back next year.”

Some in the media thought that Banks would try to make the jump to the NBA after this season. The 6-2 Banks averaged 18.4 points per game and shot 44 percent from the field and 43 percent from three-point range. Some say Banks, because of his size, likely will be a point guard in pro ranks.

Bailey finished the season second in the nation in assists after leading the country last year.

“This loss will motivate us,” Bailey said. “It’ll put us in the weight room, put us in the gym. Make us work on things.”

With the opportunity for four 20-win seasons, four consecutive postseason appearances and the possibility to make some noise in the tournament next season, Collins believes the trio will continue to stay hungry.

“They’re committed to coming back,” Collins said. “I feel good about it. We’ve got some other guys coming in that I feel really good about. We’ll just go back to the building boards and start again next year.”

NOTEBOOK

GOOD BYE SENIOR STALWARTS: Starting center Joe Scott and part-time starter Aaron Carr made their final appearances in Flames’ uniforms Friday night.

Scott, a fifth-year senior, finished scoreless in 15 minutes with two rebounds. Carr, who was the only member of the nationally-ranked recruiting class of 2000 to play as a true freshman, had four points on 2-of-7 shooting in 16 minutes.

OUTGOING SENIOR RESERVES: The lopsided score gave Collins a chance to empty the bench and give his reserves plenty of minutes, some of which were playing their final game.

Walk-on Kevin Mitchem, nephew of UIC assistant coach Lynn Mitchem, played the last five minutes of the game and scored a career-high four points on 2-of-3 shooting. Kevin Mitchem (pictured) is from nearby Grandview Mo. and played at Kansas City Community College before coming to UIC.

Others who played in their last game, include forwards Jabari Harris and Richard Lesko, and guard Rickey Dominguez. Harris was a fifth-year senior from Fenwick High School and finished with a team-high-tying three rebounds in seven minutes. Lesko and Dominguez were junior college transfers.

COVER BOY: Banks became the first UIC athlete to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated this past week. He was part of NCAA tournament montage that featured photos of almost every team’s star player.

Banks’ picture is just to the left of the giant basketball, and over his right shoulder, is a picture of CBS Sports studio anchor Jim Nantz. Other prominent individuals on the same cover included Illinois’ Dee Brown, Kansas’ Aaron Miles, and Texas Tech coach Bob Knight.

A photo of Banks also appeared in this week’s Sporting News NCAA tournament preview section. The magazine called Banks the “most underrated player” in the St. Louis regional.

SLIPPAGE: While guarding Williams on the perimeter, Kansas star forward Wayne Simien slipped to the floor with 6:32 left in the first half. His right leg went out from him and he aggravated a groin injury he suffered earlier in the season.

After laying motionless for about a minute, Simien stood up to an ovation from the Kemper Arena crowd. He missed the remainder of the first half, but returned in time for the second half. He finished with 13 points and nine rebounds in 23 minutes.

KANSAS BITS: With the victory, the Jayhawks won their 21st consecutive first-round NCAA tournament game. … Kansas’ 40 free-throw attempts were the most since it had 41 against Villanova on Jan. 2. … Kansas made its first six field goals en route to a 20-8 lead. … The Jayhawks committed a season-high 25 turnovers against the Flames.

UIC BITS: The Flames drop to 0-3 all-time in the NCAA tournament. … The loss ends a 12-game winning streak for UIC—one short of the school record. … The Flames, which led the Horizon League in three-point shooting at 39 percent, were just 3-of-16 (19 percent) on Friday. … The Flames were out-rebounded 41-26 and shot just 31 percent from the field. … Banks scored in double figures in 29 of 32 contests this season.