at Illinois-Chicago - 12/28/2022 - 7:00 PM - ESPN+

ISU86

ISU86

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Jul 17, 2017
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1,366
ISU and UIC match-up for the first time as conference members at Credit Union 1 Arena (formerly UIC Pavilion ($10 ticket with Offer Passcode UIC10 (https://www.ticketmaster.com/uic-fl...go-illinois-12-28-2022/event/04005D46ADC13C0B))).

This appears to be a pretty even game going in. Illinois State is 6-7, 1-1 in conference play, whereas Illinois-Chicago is 8-5, 0-2 in conference play, with one win coming against non D-I competition. Redbirds NET rank is 241, Flames is 252. No common opponents (yet).

ISU has three players averaging double digit scoring in F Kendall Lewis (12.7), G Darius Burford (10.9) and G Seneca Kinight (10.3); UIC also has three averaging double digits in G Jace Carter (16.2), G Tre Anderson (12.8) and G Toby Okani (12.7).

Scoring wise, both on offense and defense, both teams averages are very similar (especially when looking solely at D-I games). The 'birds do have more frontcourt depth and more bodies on the roster.

Illinois-Chicago does not draw well (last in the conference), so any sort of meaningful Illinois State should be felt, heard and seen.

Barring any potential illnesses, the team should be relatively healthy. Nine days away from live competition is an unknown, as the team did not look sharp versus Ball State with a seven day gap. For this one reason, in what otherwise appears to be a near pick 'em set-up:

Flames 71, Redbirds 67
 
M

MadBird

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Been awhile since I was at UIC for a game, but it is a place where the visitors can show well, with a relatively small home crowd, as 86 points out. Especially during the winter break. Good spots nearby for pre-game festivities, and decent parking right at the arena. I'm not gonna make it this year, but I encourage everyone who can to get there.
 
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Popsto4

Guest
ISU86 said:
ISU and UIC match-up for the first time as conference members at Credit Union 1 Arena (formerly UIC Pavilion ($10 ticket with Offer Passcode UIC10 (https://www.ticketmaster.com/uic-fl...go-illinois-12-28-2022/event/04005D46ADC13C0B))).

This appears to be a pretty even game going in. Illinois State is 6-7, 1-1 in conference play, whereas Illinois-Chicago is 8-5, 0-2 in conference play, with one win coming against non D-I competition. Redbirds NET rank is 241, Flames is 252. No common opponents (yet).

ISU has three players averaging double digit scoring in F Kendall Lewis (12.7), G Darius Burford (10.9) and G Seneca Kinight (10.3); UIC also has three averaging double digits in G Jace Carter (16.2), G Tre Anderson (12.8) and G Toby Okani (12.7).

Scoring wise, both on offense and defense, both teams averages are very similar (especially when looking solely at D-I games). The 'birds do have more frontcourt depth and more bodies on the roster.

Illinois-Chicago does not draw well (last in the conference), so any sort of meaningful Illinois State should be felt, heard and seen.

Barring any potential illnesses, the team should be relatively healthy. Nine days away from live competition is an unknown, as the team did not look sharp versus Ball State with a seven day gap. For this one reason, in what otherwise appears to be a near pick 'em set-up:

Flames 71, Redbirds 67
Click to expand...
I think we may see a few more wrinkles offensively in this one. The way Luke and Mal have been shooting the 3 lately leads me to thinking this. Hopefully we can get to .500 with this game and 2-1 in conference would be big.
 
R

redbirdron1

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Nov 12, 2017
Messages
691
Pops - do you think we'll see McCheese start or will we stick with Sissouko?

Mal has been playing so steady and has been a True Key to our success.

And last Question - if you're a P5 guy and stuck at the end of the bench, how soon can the communication begin between
a school and the player? Just wondering how the portal works and I suppose they have restrictions in place so you can't tamper
with a guy during the season.
 
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Phantom

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Long breaks between games are often a concern, but whereas we were pretty flat against Ball St., I don't think (hope) that happens again. It's a true road game but we should have a pretty decent contingent there that should equal or out-draw the home fans. That should help. This is a pretty big game. We steal this one, we're back at .500 and 2-1 in the league which would be a pretty decent spot and make Saturday's game vs. UNI even bigger. But let's not look ahead. We can win this one.
 
P

Popsto4

Guest
redbirdron1 said:
Pops - do you think we'll see McCheese start or will we stick with Sissouko?

Mal has been playing so steady and has been a True Key to our success.

And last Question - if you're a P5 guy and stuck at the end of the bench, how soon can the communication begin between
a school and the player? Just wondering how the portal works and I suppose they have restrictions in place so you can't tamper
with a guy during the season.
Click to expand...
I think Liam gets the start. It’s hard not to start him because he can stretch the floor offensively. Defensively he alter so many shots. I think we will see more of Sissouko, Liam, and Luke on the floor together more. The portal is tricky. I do know the players can contact programs anytime they want to to garner interest from them. It’s got to be tough on kids transferring and still sitting.
 
D

DaveBird10

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Messages
1,393
Phantom said:
Long breaks between games are often a concern, but whereas we were pretty flat against Ball St., I don't think (hope) that happens again. It's a true road game but we should have a pretty decent contingent there that should equal or out-draw the home fans. That should help. This is a pretty big game. We steal this one, we're back at .500 and 2-1 in the league which would be a pretty decent spot and make Saturday's game vs. UNI even bigger. But let's not look ahead. We can win this one.
Click to expand...
This is exactly my thinking, not to over think but a road win at UIC then coming home to play UNI on New Years Eve with the chance to be 2-1 in conference and .500 overall would be exciting. First things first tho and to take care of business tomorrow night vs Yak and UIC. Hopefully a lot of people can make the trip up to UIC and some Chicago Birds can watch the Birds in action.
 
R

Redbird222

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Jul 18, 2017
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5,359
UIC gets to the free throw line (although they don't shoot FTs well). Defend the 3 and limit fouls and we should have a decent chance of winning
 
Tpguy

Tpguy

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Jul 17, 2017
Messages
2,401
DaveBird10 said:
This is exactly my thinking, not to over think but a road win at UIC then coming home to play UNI on New Years Eve with the chance to be 2-1 in conference and .500 overall would be exciting. First things first tho and to take care of business tomorrow night vs Yak and UIC. Hopefully a lot of people can make the trip up to UIC and some Chicago Birds can watch the Birds in action.
Click to expand...
A few years back we had a great group meet at UIC for the game, started at a bar before the game.
 
S

sportenwood

Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2017
Messages
100
Typically there's been an alumni gathering at the bar just across the highway. Can't think of the name. Looks like nothing's been set up for this year. Oh well. Trying to decide whether to swing down there solo.
 
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