Flames' schedule toughest in nation

FOUR D-I OPPONENTS AMAZING 21-3

(12/9/04)

According the daily RPI ratings at kenpom.com, UIC has played the toughest schedule in the nation.

The Flames’ RPI currently stands at 41, despite a 2-3 record (1-3 against teams that count towards the RPI). UIC’s win over South Dakota State, doesn’t count in calculating the rankings, because the Jackrabbits are in a provisional year as a Division I school.

UIC’s four RPI opponents are an mind-boggling 21-3 (88 percent) combined, including Georgia Tech, which is No. 19 in the RPI and No. 3 in the AP poll, at 5-0. Wisconsin-Milwaukee (#63 RPI) is 6-0, Bowling Green (#43 RPI) is 4-1, and Illinois State (#135) is 6-2.

Georgia Tech, excluding for a one-point victory at UIC on Nov. 22, has blown out its opponents by an average of almost 33 points per game. Those wins include whippings of Michigan by 31 and Georgia by 38.

Bowling Green has been a pleasant surprise thus far, defeating UIC, Detroit, and a much-improved Bradley team, while staying close to DePaul at Allstate Arena.

Illinois State has victories over major conference teams like Penn State, Mississippi and St. John’s. The Redbirds’ only home loss came at the hands of the Flames last week.

UWM has victories over Air Force and solid road win over St. Louis. The Panthers’ most impressive victory was last week’s 75-67 win over UIC.

The next three games are also tough as UNC-Wilmington is at No. 126, Duke at No. 46 and DePaul at No. 32.

Even with South Dakota State in the mix with a 1-6 record, the Flames’ foes are still 22-9, good enough for over a 70 percent winning clip.

The Flames should not be worried by the 2-3 start, because of the quality of opposition and the fact the team is just starting to come together. Forward Armond Williams just regained his eligibility last week, while center Josip Petrusic and guard Rocky Collum should return in the next few weeks.

Petrusic will travel with the team this weekend and might start practicing Monday (in Wilmington, N.C.) or Wednesday after the Duke contest. He could return as soon as Dec. 21 against Wisconsin-Parkside, but likely won’t see action until Dec. 30 at Detroit.

Collum’s return is projected to be Jan. 6 when the Flames to travel to Loyola.

In addition, Flames’ superstar Cedrick Banks, has had only great game this season and that was the 23-point performance against Georgia Tech.

“We have upside,” UIC coach Jimmy Collins said after the loss to UWM.

UNC-WILMINGTON PREVIEW: The Flames will take UNC-Wilmington on Sunday afternoon, beginning a three-game road trip that includes Duke and DePaul.

The Seahawks are 4-1 on the season with their most impressive win coming against conference rival and defending Colonial Athletic Association champ Virginia Commonwealth last Sunday.

Junior guard John Goldsberry leads the Seahawks in scoring at 13.8 points per game and shoots 51 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range. Senior guard Ed Spencer averages 10.8 points and sophomore guard T.J. Carter averages 10.0 per contest. The Flames will also have to contend with 6-foot-11 center Aaron Coombs.

This is a rematch of last year’s Bracket Buster game where UIC dominated the Seahawks 77-52, handing UNCW its most decisive defeat.

UNCW is tough at Trask Coliseum, going 23-4 in two-plus seasons under coach Brad Brownell. This is UIC’s second trip to Trask, losing 54-52 on Jan. 19, 2000. Jordan Kardos and Theandre Kimbrough each missed three-point shots in the final 10 seconds of the game.

Sunday’s game can be heard live on ESPN Radio 1000 or on the internet at www.espnradio1000.com; or www.uicflames.com.