Off to Kalamazoo: Flames brace for Western Michigan

(3/18/03)

Wednesday’s NIT opener between UIC and Western Michigan is proof that Illinois is cradle of coaches.

Both UIC coach Jimmy Collins and Western Michigan coach Robert McCullum were assistants at the University of Illinois. Collins spent 13 years under Lou Henson, while McCullum spent three years under Lon Kruger with the Fighting Illini.

The teams also have something in common that neither has rich history of postseason success, but both are programs on the rise. This is the Flames’ third postseason appearance—and the first in the NIT, while the Broncos have seen a few NCAA tournaments with a notable victory over Clemson a few years ago.

This year, the Flames ended the regular season at 21-8 after a tough loss to Wisconsin-Milwaukee March 8 in the Horizon League semifinals. The Flames are led by the Public League trio of Cedrick Banks, Martell Bailey and Armond Williams. Banks was first-team All-Horizon. Bailey is still the nation’s leading assist-man at 8.3 per game, while Williams ranks among the country’s best field-goal shooters.

The Flames are also deadly from beyond the arc, shooting 41 percent—good for third in the nation. Jonathan Schneiderman, Aaron Carr and Banks are the Flames’ top long-range threats.

Western Michigan was 19-9 and 10-8 in the Mid-American Conference. The Broncos lost to Northern Illinois in the MAC quarterfinals last week.

Junior forward Anthony Kann leads the Broncos with 14.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per contest. Junior forward Mike Williams puts in 14.0 points per contest, and senior point guard Robby Collum averages 13.5 points and about four assists per game.

Western Michigan is 11-2 at University Arena, while the Flames are 9-6 in road games.

The winner of this game plays the winner of Tuesday’s Villanova-Siena game with a date, site and time to be announced.

The game will be broadcast live at 6 p.m. on ESPN radio 1000.

NO HOME GAME (YET) FOR FLAMES: The Medinah Shrine Circus has the UIC Pavilion booked for the week, so the Flames could not host an opening-round game. Also, an anticipated game with DePaul likely will not happen, as the Blue Demons will travel to North Carolina Tuesday night for an ESPN game. In addition, the Demons are on the other side of the bracket.

NIT TIDBITS: If the Flames get on a roll, they could possibly host a game early next week against either UAB or Louisiana-Lafayette. If UIC can win three games, it may get a meeting with St. John’s or Virginia in the quarterfinals.

With 21 victories, the Flames are tied for the second-most wins in the 40-team field. They have the second-best record behind Charleston’s 24-7.

Horizon League teams have tasted success in the NIT as Butler made the NIT quarterfinals in 1999 before falling to Clemson, and Detroit went to the tournament’s final four in 2001 after beating UConn and Dayton. Butler won a first-round game with Bowling Green last year.