Flames' schedule nears completion

(9/9/03)

While Flames fans await the official unveiling of the 2003-04 schedule, a couple more announcements were made Tuesday.

UIC will have an opportunity to double its pleasure against Evansville—one of just seven teams that beat the Flames last year. The Flames will travel to Evansville Nov. 21 before hosting the Purple Aces in the home opener on Nov. 25 in a rare single-season home-and-home non-conference series.

ESPN’s Bracket Buster II announcement was also made official. UIC is among five Horizon League teams to be granted a home game. The Flames defeated Bowling Green on ESPN2 last year in a game that likely improved UIC’s NIT chances.

Possible foes for this year’s Buster, which is scheduled for Feb. 21, include postseason teams Creighton, Western Michigan, and Western Kentucky. ESPN college basketball analyst and former college head coach Fran Fraschilla had good things to say about the event, and about the Flames in an ESPN.com article.

“I’m tickled to see this kind of event,” Fran Fraschilla said. “As I looked at the field, it’s obvious the Gonzagas, Butlers and Western Kentuckys jump out at you. But teams like Akron or Illinois-Chicago, and other teams down the list, are ready to have breakout seasons.”

The match-ups and TV outlets will be determined during the first week of February. Meanwhile, the BCA Classic pairings should be announced within the next couple of weeks.