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UIC’s “Fun Bunch” looking to jam in paradise CLOSE-KNIT GROUP VERY CONFIDENT November 16, 2007
Through the Flames’ first two games, the brand-new chemistry has shone. Two impressive victories – one an 84-75 victory over a highly-regarded Bradley team and the other a total thrashing of Illinois-Springfield. After the 81-55 win over UIS on Tuesday, the Flames were so high, they probably could have flown to the Virgin Islands for this weekend’s Paradise Jam tournament by themselves rather than use an airplane. “We’ve been playing with the spirit that we need to win,” UIC coach Jimmy Collins said. “Everybody who wore a Flames’ suit contributed to these wins.” The first few weeks of the new season have been a total turnaround from the atmosphere around the team last season, where Collins missed half the season with an illness and several players left the team. “The biggest thing is that everybody is a lot more positive,” said sophomore forward Jeremy Buttell, who scored 13 against UIS on Tuesday. “Everybody comes to the gym with a purpose everyday. Everybody’s here to win this year. Last year served as motivation.” Even the freshmen are adding positive chemistry to the Flames.
The Flames open the four-day Paradise Jam on Friday against Winthrop, which defeated Notre Dame in the first round of NCAA tournament last year. UIC could also face teams like Georgia Tech, Notre Dame and Charlotte over the weekend and the possibility to play three games against quality opponents excites Collins. “We want to play those types of teams,” Collins said. “Ever since I’ve been here, I’ve wanted to schedule teams like that. It’s the way we measure ourselves. There are some very good teams there. To get noticed, you have to play the noticed.” Friday’s contest should be a good test for the Flames against an Eagles club, even though they have lost some quality players including 6-foot-10 Craig Bradshaw, who was an inside-outside force for a team with a 24-5 record last season. The Eagles have won the Big South the last three seasons. Winthrop has a solid core, led by savvy point guard Chris Gaynor, last year’s leading scorer Michael Jenkins and 6-foot-7 forward Taj McCullough. Gaynor had 17 points in the Eagles’ 68-61 season-opening victory over Queens College of Charlotte. Jenkins, a 6-foor-3 guard, averaged 14.8 points per game last year. Gaynor averaged 7.8 points and 4.4 assists per game, while McCullough had an average of 7.9 points per contest, coming primarily off the bench. The Flames have been winning thus far, with an inside-outside punch. The Eagles don’t have anyone close the size and bulk of UIC’s 7-foot, 260-pound center Scott VanderMeer, who scored a career-high 19 points against UIS. VanderMeer should create some havoc inside and also help open up the perimeter game for Mayo (23.5 points per game), Karl White Jr., Spencer Stewart, Robert Kreps and Boyd. A big test will be how the Flames will respond being away from the comforts of the UIC Pavilion. The Paradise Jam begins a five-game trip away from home. “We have to really stay focused,” Mayo said. “Being at home, the crowd is great and on the road, we don’t have a crowd like that. We’ll have to pump ourselves up. That will be the toughest thing for us, but we should be able to overcome that.” Again, it will be up to the Fun Bunch to keep everyone loose in a foreign territory. “We’re all close, me, Mayo, Spencer and J.B. [Buttell] all hang out,” VanderMeer said. “This is the closest team I’ve been on since my senior year of high school. This is the most fun year I’ve had.” PARADISE JAM SCHEDULE (all times Central) FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16 Charlotte vs. Georgia Tech, noon UIC vs. Winthrop, 2:30 Baylor vs. Wichita State, 5 Monmouth vs. Notre Dame, 7:30 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17 Charlotte/Georgia Tech loser vs. UIC/Winthrop loser, 5 Baylor/Wichita State loser vs. Monmouth/Notre Dame loser, 7:30 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18 Charlotte/Georgia Tech winner vs. UIC/Winthrop winner, 5 (Fox College Sports) Baylor/Wichita State winner vs. Monmouth/Notre Dame winner, 7:30 (Fox College Sports) MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19 Seventh place, noon Fourth place, 2:30 Third place, 5 (Fox College Sports) Championship, 7:30 (Fox College Sports) MEDIA COVERAGE: All games involving UIC will be audio streamed over the Internet for free at www.uicflames.com with Flames’ play-by-play man Adam Levinson on the call. There is also an on-line Pay-Per-View package for the Paradise Jam at www.WatchBTIHoops.com with streaming video of all four first-round games, the consolation semifinals and the fourth- and seventh-place games. The championship semifinals, third-place game and championship game will be televised on Fox College Sports (which is available on Comcast in the Chicago area). If the Flames defeat Winthrop, they will be televised Sunday and Monday. FLAMES FLICKERS: UIC has not officially announced any signings as of yet. The team may not announce them until early next week when it returns from the Virgin Islands. … The Flames are interested in Simeon guard Josh Anderson, son of former Illini star Nick Anderson. … Two former Horizon League assistant coaches are on the Winthrop staff, including Paul Molinari (under Rollie Massimino at Cleveland State) and Marty McGillan (under Brad Brownell at Wright State). … Notre Dame, with former UIC assistant Gene Cross, is on the other side of the bracket. |
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