Eligibilty questions still unanswered; Major schedule rumblings

FLAMES STILL HOPEFUL FOR WILLIAMS, BAILEY

(8/2/04)

Despite completion of the summer session, the UIC Flames still don’t know what the status of two-thirds of its “Big 3.”

The team learned recently that guard Cedrick Banks completed all of his requirements and his return was approved by the NCAA.

However, the status of forward Armond Williams and point guard Martell Bailey (pictured) is still up in the air, according to UIC Sports Information Director Mike Cassidy.

Williams and Bailey are finished with summer courses, but are waiting word on an appeal to the NCAA. The timetable for the official word is unknown at this time.

Speculation in recent weeks had Williams “probably” returning, while there was doubt about Bailey. In a recent report in the Daily Herald, UIC coach Jimmy Collins said he is still holding out hope that both will return.

SCHEDULE NEWS: The Flames’ schedule is getting closer to being released, but Whoosh! has learned some blockbuster news.

UIC has a tentative agreement to play perennial powerhouse Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Dec. 14. The game would likely be televised by either ESPN or ESPN2. Two prominent Chicagoans are on the Duke team – coach Mike Krzyzewski, who grew up on the Northwest side and graduated from the now-defunct Weber High School and senior guard Sean Dockery, who prepped at Julian.

It will be the third consecutive year a Horizon League team goes to Raleigh/Durham. Butler played there in the 2002-03 season and Detroit played there last November.

The Flames’ trip to Tobacco Road would be combined with its Bracket Buster return game with UNC-Wilmington, which would be a couple of days before the Duke contest.

The Flames are also slated to play at Mississippi State on Dec. 21, which could give UIC two games against Top 10 foes.

The home schedule features at least three non-conference games, including perennial Ivy League power Penn and South Dakota State.

The Bracket Buster game, slated for Feb. 19, is again at the Pavilion. Speculation had the Flames going on the road after playing the first two “Buster” games at home. The format should remain the same with teams mostly from the Horizon League, Missouri Valley, Mid-American and WAC involved.

The Flames also have road games against Northwestern, Illinois State and Bowling Green.

According to a tentative schedule obtained from Wisconsin-Milwaukee, UIC would host the Panthers on Dec. 4 at the Pavilion in an early battle between the top two teams in the conference. This is a change from a previous schedule that had the two teams meeting twice in five days in early February. There is the possibility of television coverage for the contest.

The Flames open up the beef of their conference schedule with three games on the road, including a critical game at Detroit on Dec. 30. The stretch closes with a game with Loyola at the Gentile Center on Jan. 6.

As far as television coverage goes, the ESPN family of networks could broadcast up to three UIC games, including the Duke, Bracket Buster and the Horizon League championship. Some other games may be seen on Fox Sports Net and Comcast Sports Net Chicago, which debuts Oct. 1.

RECRUITING NEWS: According to published reports, the Flames have strong interest in several high school seniors.

Illinois Prep Bulls-eye reported on July 29 that Robeson guard Jeremy Pargo has been offered a scholarship by UIC. DePaul, Gonzaga and UNLV have also offered.

The 6-foot-2-inch Pargo can play both guard positions, but analysts say he might be a shooting guard in college due to his scoring capabilities.

His brother, Jannero Pargo played with the Bulls at the Rocky Mountain Revue and is hoping to remain with the team for the 2004-05 season. Jannero played the second half of last season with the Bulls and his return could help his brother stay closer to home. Jannero also played with the Los Angeles Lakers in his NBA career.

The Sun-Times also reported recently that UIC had strong interest in Pargo and Westinghouse forward DeAndre Thomas. However, the Flames are battling several Big Ten schools for his services.

UIC also has its sights set on Waukegan small forward Emmanuel Gaiter and Rich Central guard Brandon Long, according to Illinois Prep Bulls-eye.

The 6-foot-3 Gaiter could end up at a junior college, but the Flames were named as his top suitor. The 6-foot-1 Long has been receiving good reviews in summer leagues as his list of interested schools includes the Flames, Northern Illinois, Western Illinois, Bradley and a number of other Missouri Valley and Mid-American Conference schools.

FLAME FLICKERS: Incoming freshman Karl White, after completing summer session at UIC, played in the Nebraska Coaches Association All-Star Game last Tuesday and scored 17 points to lead his team.

Kevin Mitchem, a walk-on forward that used up the last of basketball eligibility this past season, will continue his athletic career on the track team as he finishes his studies. He has competed in track for the past couple of years and placed fourth in the high jump at the Horizon League Indoor Track and Field Championships with a leap of 6 feet, 4 inches.

Darryl Brehm, the Business and Advertising Director for the Chicago Flame, has announced that the Flame will publish two issues of Whoosh! for the upcoming season. The first edition, cover dated Nov. 2, will preview the season. A mid-season edition is slated for Jan. 18.