Schneiderman’s long-range forecast: Good for UIC

(as published in Whoosh! magazine Nov. 5, 2002)

Jonathan Schneiderman says he shot more than 30,000 jumpers in the summer between his sophomore and junior years at Forreston High School.

It’s no wonder UIC coach Jimmy Collins refers to the 6-foot-1 guard as “my hired gun.” Schneiderman has had plenty of practice.

“That’s probably the most I’ve ever shot,” said Schneiderman, who shot 45 percent from three-point range during his junior season at UIC. “That was an accumulation of 200 to 300 shots a day.”

Often shooting late into the night as a youth, Schneiderman (pictured) perfected his craft in the driveway of his parents’ home.

“I really got serious about basketball in third or fourth grade,” Schneiderman said. “Then I finally convinced my dad to get some cement on the lot right outside my house. I took quite a few shots late at night at home under the lights.”

He wowed Flames coaches with an amazing senior season at Forreston, in which he shot 45 percent from long distance and averaged 23.9 points per game for a 30-2 Cardinals team. He also won the IHSA Class A three-point shooting contest. UIC wooed Schneiderman in spring 1999 to leave his hometown of about 1,400 people and move 120 miles east to play for the Flames.

“Forreston’s not very big,” Schneiderman said. “There’s no stoplights or anything like that. There’s only a couple of restaurants. It was quite an adjustment that first year (at UIC).”

Since arriving in Chicago, his success in the small towns has translated to even bigger success in the big city. Schneiderman hit a critical shot with just more than minute to play in UIC’s first-round Horizon League tournament game against Wisconsin-Milwaukee, which helped put the game out of reach. He hit five second-half three-pointers in the Flames’ 73-71 comeback victory over Milwaukee.

“I’ve never been around a better shooter,” Collins said. “Best of all, though, he’s a very good defender.”

Schneiderman was third on the squad in scoring with an 8.5 average, ranking behind Cedrick Banks and Jordan Kardos. Despite winning the Horizon League tournament last year, the Flames were in sixth place. Schneiderman believes UIC still has something to prove. “We’ll have a chip on our shoulder.”

Schneiderman will lead a veteran core that helped UIC win the Horizon League tournament last year and clinch the school’s second NCAA Tournament berth.

“We gained experience,” Schneiderman said. “We understand what it takes in terms of doing the extra things (to win), and I think it’s going to have a big impact on this year.”

Along with Schneiderman, junior forward Banks and running mate junior guard Martell Bailey, as well as returning junior forward/center Joe Scott compose a top four that rivals the best in the Horizon League.

“Cedrick and Martell brought that toughness, that winning attitude,” Schneiderman said. “Those guys don’t know how to lose. They come to play every day.”

Banks, who made the game-winning shot in last year’s Horizon League championship game against Loyola, is among the league’s best players. The 6-foot-2 Banks led the Flames in scoring with a 13.9 points per game average. Offensively, he can slash to the basket or take the occasional three-pointer. Banks also is the Flames’ most tenacious defender.

Bailey runs the point for the Flames and has some clutch shots of his own on his resume. He banked in the miraculous off-balance three-pointer that beat Wisconsin-Milwaukee at the Pavilion in February and hit back-to-back driving layups late in the Loyola game in March. Bailey led the Flames in assists last season with 4.8 per game and has the winning attitude Collins has wanted to instill at UIC since he got the coaching job in 1996.

Scott, a 6-foot-9 post-scoring threat from Stagg High School, was primed for a breakout season when he suffered a knee injury within the first two minutes of UIC’s first regular season game against Indiana State. Scott has always had the ability to score in the paint and block shots on the defensive end. Collins hopes Scott finally shakes off the foul troubles that plagued him for his first two full seasons with the Flames.

“Joe Scott was tentative when we started practice,” Collins said. “Now, he’s starting to come back to where he was — shooting, rebounding and blocking shots.”

Scott’s injury could have been a blessing in disguise for UIC. The Flames were able to develop other post players in his absence — junior forward Armond Williams and senior center Kyle Kickert were the most productive.

Williams, possibly a bit undersized at 6-foot-5, brought a workman’s intensity to the floor every game, and was Collins’ energizer of the UIC bench. Whether it was a big defensive play or a clutch offensive rebound, Williams helped lift the Flames in crucial moments of games.

Kickert really emerged in the latter part of the regular season and particularly in the conference tournament. Coming off the bench in UIC’s quarterfinal game against Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he kept the Flames close with critical offensive rebounds and putbacks. The “Sheriff” then became a regular in Collins’ rotation.

Junior forward Jabari Harris also showed some signs of improvement. Harris, always regarded as a stout defender, got a little better offensively, rattling off a career-best 14 points in UIC’s home victory over Wright State last year. He also showed an occasional mid-range jump shot.

The Flames welcome aboard three new frontcourt players this season — transfers Richard Lesko and Josip Petrusic and redshirt freshman Josh Williams. Lesko and Petrusic bring some size and experience from the junior college level. Lesko averaged eight points and five rebounds per game at Danville Junior College. Petrusic, at 6-foot-10, 240-pounds, brings averages of 12 points and five rebounds per game to Chicago.

Josh Williams was standout defensive player at Young High School and had the opportunity to improve his offensive game during his redshirt season. The Flames also added junior college transfer Kevin Mitchem to the mix. Mitchem, assistant coach Lynn Mitchem’s nephew, played at Kansas City Community College. He will be a walk-on at small forward.

In the backcourt, junior Aaron Carr, who was lost in the shuffle a bit last season, may be a key cog in the Flames’ offense. Carr provides a deft three-point touch the Flames will need to offset the losses of Kardos, Jon-Pierre Mitchom and Cory Little.

Walk-on Corry Tibbs returns for his third season on the roster, and will join freshman Mike Smith from Shepard High School and junior college transfer Rickey Dominguez in competing for minutes at the guard spots.

Smith was one of the top players in the SICA East, while averaging 15.2 points per game and shooting 51 percent as a senior in high school. Dominguez averaged 24 points as a sophomore at Feather River Junior College in California.

Collins’ top recruit in this year’s class, forward Elliott Poole from Farragut High School, will sit out the season as a Prop. 48. Maryland-Eastern Shore transfers Brandon Allen and Justin Bowen will redshirt, due to the NCAA transfer rule. Freshman forward Jovan Stefanov, who is still recovering from a knee injury suffered during his senior season at Tavares High School in Florida, will likely redshirt, giving his knee more time to heal.

When healthy, the Flames’ roster is the deepest in the Horizon League, giving Collins much hope for the season ahead.

“That kind of depth is a good problem to have,” he said. “We’ve now got guys who can go out and compete at a very high level. But if they aren’t getting it done, we have more waiting in the wings who can get the job done without us missing a beat.”