Williams, McGee out of action

2 WILL MISS GAME AT DETROIT

(12/29/04)

UIC announced that Armond Williams and Marcetteaus McGee will not play in Thursday night’s Horizon League contest at Detroit.

Williams (pictured) will miss one game due to NCAA rules regarding fighting in a game last Thursday against Saginaw Valley State. He was ejected from the game midway through the first half after being elbowed in the face by the Cardinals’ Ron McGrew. Williams got off the floor and pushed McGrew in the face and swung a couple of wild haymakers at him.

McGee is on team suspension, according to UIC game notes for Thursday’s contest. He will be out indefinitely. He did not appear at the Saginaw Valley State game.

Point guard Rocky Collum is slated to make his first Flames start against Detroit, after playing a solid 16 minutes against Saginaw Valley in his debut.

Detroit has struggled for the most part, starting the campaign at 3-7. The Titans are coming off a humbling 62-47 loss at Chicago State.

Detroit did win its prior two contests, including an 88-82 win over Eastern Michigan when sophomore guard Brandon Cotton made his Titan debut by scoring 27 points. Cotton is a highly-regarded transfer from Michigan State.

UIC coach Jimmy Collins is always wary of Detroit in Calihan Hall as the Titans have won 90 of their last 100 games in their campus’ arena. Collins is just 2-6 at Calihan.

“I can remember one year on national TV, where we had something like 12 points at halftime,” said Collins, referring to a debacle in 1999. “No matter what they did [against Chicago State] and no matter what we did [against Saginaw Valley], we can forget about that when we get to Michigan. We know it’s going to be a competitive game.”

The game tips off at 6 p.m. and can be heard live on ESPN Radio 1000 and also on the internet at www.espnradio1000.com and www.uicflames.com.

ALUM OUT AS NUGGETS COACH: Former UICC basketball player Jeff Bzdelik was fired as the head coach of the Denver Nuggets by general manager Kiki Vandeweghe.

Bzdelik played with the Chikas in the team’s Division II days (1972-76).

He was 73-119 in two-plus seasons at the Nuggets, including a 43-39 season last year, leading the team in postseason play for the first time in nine seasons.