Flowers picks UWM

PUSH BY UIC WAS NOT ENOUGH

(11/6/06)

Whoosh! photo UIC coach Jimmy Collins and his staff will have to keep pounding the pavement, trying to found another scholarship player for 2007-08.

Simeon power forward Tim Flowers, who UIC was pursuing for its final scholarship offer for the 2007-08 season, officially committed to Horizon League rival Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Saturday night.

The 6-foot-5 Flowers is considered a Charles Barkley-type of rebounder. His Simeon high school teammate, forward Kevin Johnson also committed to UWM. The jewel of Simeon team, Derrick Rose, selected Memphis.

UWM coach Rob Jeter used his Chicago ties to the fullest in scoring the talented duo. UIC would not have been able offer both Flowers and Johnson scholarships for next season, because UIC had only one ride available.

UIC head coach Jimmy Collins and assistant coach Lynn Mitchem made a strong for push for Flowers. Collins has had a good history with recruiting Simeon players – Nick Anderson, Bryant Notree and Deon Thomas.

Now the Flames will be looking elsewhere to fill the final spot for next year. Two names that have interest in UIC are still on the board: Tempe (Ariz.) Corona del Sol point guard Brad Carroll and Loyola Academy guard Jeff Jordan. Carroll is considering numerous options, including many in Midwest, and Jordan, who was scheduled to visit Davidson, will likely decide in the spring.

The Flames also had their sights set on forwards Dwight McCombs of Young and Danny Monckton of Glenbrook South, but McCombs verballed to Miami (Ohio) and Monckton committed to Penn.

Whoever the Flames recruit will join Texas Tech transfer Jeremy Buttell and Maroa-Forsyth senior guard Robert “Robo” Kreps as newcomers for 2007-08.

EXHIBITION PREVIEW: The Flames play their lone exhibition game as they host Division II Lewis of Romeoville at the UIC Pavilion on Tuesday night at 8 p.m.

It will be an opportunity for Collins to do some last-minute tinkering with his lineup and rotation before this Saturday’s regular-season opener against St. Edward’s (Texas).

Usually a strong program, Lewis struggled last season as it finished 13-15. The Flyers should be better this season under new coach Scott Trost.

Leading the way is forward Stephan Bolt (11.3 points per game in 2005-06) and guard Brandon Dagans (8.4 ppg). Three newcomers, including guard Keelan Donald and St. Xavier transfers Jason Genova and Matt Marino will also see extended playing time.

Lewis is 0-2 in exhibition play after an 83-58 loss to Illinois last Thursday and a 77-70 defeat at DePaul on Saturday. Dagans, a former teammate of UIC’s Robert Bush at Thornton, scored a game-high 22 against the Blue Demons.

Preceding the men’s game with Lewis, the women will play their exhibition finale against St. Xavier, who is coached by former Flames’ coach Bob Hallberg. Tip time is 6 p.m.

FLAMES FLICKERS: Former two-year walk-on Alok Aiyar made his debut at St. Xavier, scoring three points on 1-of-4 from the field with two assists in the Cougars’ 82-65 exhibition loss at UC-Irvine on Thursday night. In the Cougars’ first regular-season game, Aiyar had a rebound and assist in a 78-71 loss to The Master’s (Calif.) on Saturday. … Cedrick Banks is averaging 18.1 points in nine games for Nancy in France. He has a season-high of 36 points.