UIC vs. NCCU Recap

Recap

What Happened

UIC opened the 2017-2018 season with a 65-55 victory over North Carolina Central. Sophomore Godwin Boahen led the way with 15 points off the bench. Sophomore Tarkus Ferguson added 13 points, and senior big man Tai Odiase chipped in 10 points.

After Ferguson drilled a three with 14:48 to give UIC a 7-4 advantage, the Flames never relinquished the lead. UIC (1-0) was paced offensively by a balanced attack. Only one player, Ferguson, attempted double-digit field goal attempts.

Redshirt sophomore Dikembe Dixson, back healthy after a season-ending knee injury last season, added nine points. Sophomore Jordan Blount scored seven points and dished out a team-leading five assists in his debut. Sophomore guard Marcus Ottey also scored seven points off the bench.

Key Sequence

NCCU came out hot to start the second half, making six of their first eight shots. They cut the lead to 39-34 and had momentum when head coach Steve McClain called on an unlikely player. At the 15:31 mark, freshman Michael Diggins was subbed in. UIC quickly implemented a 1-3-1 pressure defense with Diggins, all 6-foot-8 of him, at the top of the defensive attack. UIC quickly forced a turnover and put together stops to neutralize NCCU. The Flames eventually took back control, but the catalyst was the 1-3-1 defense and Diggins’ length and lateral quickness at the head of the defense.

What It Means

UIC got on the board with a home victory against a NCCU team that is integrating several newcomers. Although UIC only shot 41% from the field and even worse 27% from three, the Flames competed with a balanced attack. The defense was solid, but most importantly UIC was unselfish on offense and shared the ball well. Boahen came up big, and Odiase provided nice offense out of the post.

What’s Next

UIC welcomes Saint Joseph’s on Monday night. Saint Joseph’s first game will be tomorrow against Toledo on the road.

Notes

-UIC went with a starting lineup of Tarkus Ferguson, Dominique Matthews, Dikembe Dixson, Jordan Blount and Tai Odiase. The bench play was strong, UIC reserves combined to score 24 points.

-Jordan Blount was impressive with seven points, five assists and one 3-pointer. He led the team in assists (5) and minutes (33). Blount displayed a great feel on offense, highlighted by his passing ability. He can really put the ball on the floor and put pressure on opposing forwards.

-Diggins and fellow freshman Jacob Wiley both shined in the 1-3-1 defense. Both are long forwards that move very well for their size.

-Dixson played within the flow of the offense and didn’t force anything. Plagued by turnovers throughout his career, he only committed one turnover in 31 minutes. That should make McClain very happy.