Flames No. 3 in ESPN mid-major poll

(11/1/03)

ESPN released its initial mid-major poll Friday and it rated UIC as the No. 3 mid-major in America.

It is the second web site to have the Flames in the top 10 of mid-major poll. CollegeInsider.com’s Mid-Major Top 25 also had UIC at No. 3.

The ESPN poll commented on the Flames: One of three Horizon League teams with 20 wins last season, the Flames return five senior starters—more than the other two 20-win teams (Butler and Wisconsin-Milwaukee) combined.

Gonzaga was No. 1, Wichita State from the Missouri Valley is No. 2 and Butler was No. 9. UIC opponent Northern Illinois was rated No. 5.

BIG TV NEWS: The Flames’ battle with the University of Illinois on Dec. 30 will be broadcast on CBS2 Chicago, live from the United Center at 7 p.m. The announcement was made at the Flames’ media luncheon on Tuesday.

FLAMES GET A VOTE: In the ESPN/USA Today Preseason Top 25 poll released Thursday, UIC received a 25th-place vote. It was likely that Detroit coach Perry Watson, the Horizon League representative in the poll, voted for the Flames.

PRINT WHOOSH! AVAILABLE MONDAY: The season-preview edition of Whoosh! will be available in the Nov. 4 Chicago Flame, which can obtained around the campus and in neighboring establishments. The issue takes a look at a stacked Flames team, makes Horizon League predictions, and has a brand-new Coach’s Corner with coach Jimmy Collins.