Expect excitement with Flames, Panthers

(1/08/03)

When UIC and Wisconsin-Milwaukee meet at the UIC Pavilion, more than likely, it will be a thriller.

Each of the last four games has come down to the final minute or overtime. The intensity should make for an unbelievable atmosphere at the Pavilion when these Horizon League powers meet again Thursday.

The Flames (7-4, 1-1) and the Panthers (11-3, 3-0) are among the best in the conference and Thursday’s game is critical for both. UIC needs a win after suffering a tough home defeat to Butler last Saturday, while a victory for Milwaukee would give it a 3-0 road record in the Horizon League and a huge advantage heading into the teeth of the conference schedule.

UIC has won the last three meetings at the Pavilion—all in dramatic fashion. Martell Bailey’s miraculous bank-shot three-pointer at the buzzer gave the Flames a 73-71 victory last year, knocking the Panthers out of first place. Milwaukee led by nine with just under three minutes to play.

In 2001, the Flames and Panthers went to four overtimes before Taurus Cook scored six points in the fourth overtime, giving UIC a 112-106 victory. Jon-Pierre Mitchom added a career-best 33 points for the Flames.

In 2000, Milwaukee jumped out to an alarming 20-2 lead, but the Flames rallied behind Theandre Kimbrough (27 points) and Jordan Kardos (22 points) for an 81-75 win.

In 1999, the Panthers won an ugly affair 52-50 when the Flames missed a shot at the buzzer.

To boot, UIC eliminated the Panthers in the first round of last season’s Horizon League tournament with a 75-63 decision in Cleveland.

The key for the Flames getting their fourth straight home victory in the series will be getting more support for forward Armond Williams. Williams has been the hottest Flame as of late, registering two consecutive double-doubles. He is currently averaging 11.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per contest.

Cedrick Banks, who started his season on a tremendous roll, has made just 8 of his last 38 shots from the field. UIC coach Jimmy Collins said that Banks needs to handle the ball less and move more off the ball. Banks still leads the Flames in scoring with a 15.1 average.

Aaron Carr, who scored five points in the loss to Butler, is also a scoring option for the Flames, averaging 12.0 points per game. Bailey is second in nation in assists with 7.8 points, a shade behind Duke’s Chris Duhon.

Milwaukee has found a new post scoring threat in Dylan Page. Page, filling in for the injured James Wright and Adrian Tigert, has helped ease the sting of the frontcourt injuries, averaging 17.9 points and 5.9 rebounds. Page is also not afraid to step back and take a three-pointer.

The Panthers’ leader is Clay Tucker, who was a preseason first-team Horizon League selection. The Lima, Ohio native, while fighting injuries of his own, is averaging 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per contest. He’s shooting just 23 percent from three-point range, but that’s likely to improve dramatically.

Jason Frederick and Ronnie Jones are also scoring threats for Milwaukee, which still plays a frentic, pressing style. The Panthers also have never met a three-pointer they don’t like, putting up 315 treys and making 35 percent of them.