Detroit Predictions

[Big D]

Well, according to Whoosh!, McGee is out indefinitely (team suspension) and Williams is out for fighting...uggghhhh!. Not the best move by Williams when he knows we're going to Calihan next game....and we haven't exactly done well against Detroit the past couple of years.

Anyway, I think we fight hard but the Flames struggle again without Williams while Cotton has a field day on us.

Detroit 66, UIC 57
Points - Poole 17
Rebounds - Stefanov 7
Assists - Collum 5

[UICJohn]

That is just the attitude of this team this season. This team doesn't play smart, whether it's a pass or how to act. That game against UWP was embaressing in that I saw 5 players and not a team. Everyone trying to make a behind the back pass and everyone being happy with an olley oop dunk. Big deal. And then, against a D 2 team, we get one of our best players suspended for a big game in conference. Great move guys!

[spike1057]

Huge game, need to start making that turn if we are going to make a run for the top spot and home court advantage for the HL playoffs. I think Perry puts Cotton on Banks and this wears cotton down.

Banks 26 points
Poole 7 boards
Jovan 6 assist

UIC 61
UDM 59

Last second shot by banks to win it! ;D

[UIC 96]

Spike, I hope your right. I'm just not so optimistic about this team after Wisconsin-Parkside. This year, the theme with this team seems that we can play good in the first half.....and then fall apart in the second half. We need to play smart for a whole game if we are to make it to any post-season this season. Without McGee and Williams, I just dont see us beating Detroit. We always have a hard time beating them, especially at their place. I see us losing by about 10.....but I really hope I'm wrong. GO FLAMES!!!!!!

[dunzz]

You guys are getting more confidence from the meida than your own support system. here is something that might get your hopes up.

Illinois-Chicago (4-6) at Detroit (3-7)




The Sports Network

DATE & TIME: Thursday, December 30th, 7:05 p.m. (et).

FACTS & STATS: Site: Calihan Hall (8,837) -- Detroit, Michigan. Television: None. Home Record: UIC 2-3, Detroit 3-2. Away Record: UIC 2-3, Detroit 0-5. Neutral Record: UIC 0-0, Detroit 0-0. Conference Record: UIC 0-1, Detroit 0-0. Series Record: Detroit leads, 17-5.

GAME NOTES: The Illinois-Chicago Flames will be looking to post their first Horizon League win of the season when they take on the Detroit Titans tonight from Calihan Hall. A 79-47 rout of Saginaw Valley State on December 23rd ended a three-game losing skid for the Flames, who are off to just a 4-6 start. UIC has gone just 2-3 in away matchups this season and suffered a 75-67 loss to Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the team's first league game this year on December 4th. As for the Titans, they come into this game fresh off a 62-47 loss to Chicago State. The defeat ended a two-game winning streak for the Titans and dropped them to just 3-7 overall. However, Detroit is still a solid 3-2 in games played from Calihan Hall this year. In fact, Detroit is 90-10 in its last 100 home games which is a span that dates back to a victory against Butler on January 20, 1997. This game will mark the 23rd all-time meeting between these two schools, with the Titans holding a 17-5 series advantage. Detroit has also won the last three meetings with the Flames, including a 70-67 victory last season from Calihan Hall.

Cedrick Banks came into this season as the favorite to win the Horizon League Player of the Year award, but he has struggled thus far. Banks is averaging a modest 13.6 ppg and has made just 31.9 percent of his field goal attempts. The talented guard also has a team-worst 26 turnovers and has failed to lead the Flames in scoring in their last four games. Armond Williams is currently the only other UIC player scoring in double figures, knocking in 10.0 ppg despite having made just 45.5 percent of his free throw attempts. However, Williams was held to only two points in the team's recent win against Saginaw Valley State. Jovan Stefanov led the way with 16 points and six rebounds, while Justin Bowen and Banks both tallied 15 points. Banks made just 5-of-13 field goal attempts, while Bowen recorded a double-double by also pulling down a team-high 11 boards.

Brandon Cotton paced the Titans in their loss to Chicago State last week, scoring 12 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field. However, Cotton also had five of the team's 20 costly turnovers and he missed both of his shots from three-point range and from the foul line. Torvoris Baker turning in a double- double performance for the Titans, finishing with 11 points and just as many rebounds. James Thues had just six points in the defeat, but he was able to grab six rebounds and dish out a team-high five assists. Thues is now averaging 10.0 ppg and a team-high 2.4 apg, while also having a squad-best 14 steals to his credit. After sitting out the first eight games of the season because of transfer requirements, Cotton has totaled 39 points in his first two games with Detroit. The former Michigan State guard recorded 27 points in his debut for the Titans against Eastern Michigan, which is the highest point total by any player on this team this season.

Although the Titans have gotten a major boost from Cotton of late, they are still a squad that struggles at the offensive end of the court. Banks has thrived over the past few seasons against league opponents and you can bet he will begin to heat up again as the team ventures into Horizon League action.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Illinois-Chicago 72, Detroit 64

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