San Francisco Transfer Souley Boum Signs With UTEP

Photo courtesy of SFExaminer.com

UTEP landed yet another transfer, this time dipping into the west coast and getting Souley Boum from San Francisco. Boum officially visited UTEP this weekend and signed with the Miners while on campus.

Boum, a 6-foot-3 guard, had a promising freshman year at San Francisco, landing on the West Coast Conference All-Freshman team. He averaged 10.9 points per game in only 20.9 minutes per game. He reached the 20-point plateau seven times, scoring a career-high 26 points twice against Colgate and Portland. Boum also led San Francisco in free throws made and free throws attempted, all on limited minutes and a slim 145 pound frame.

New associate head coach Lamont Smith is very familiar with Boum, having coached against him this past season as the head coach of San Diego. Boum scored 21 points against San Diego in their first meeting, then five points in the second game.

The fit between Boum and UTEP looks great on the surface, especially when you factor in the coaching staffs' success with sit one play three transfers. Current Fresno State guard Deshon Taylor averaged 7.6 points per game in the 2014-2015 season at UMKC. He then transferred to Fresno State and averaged 12.5 points per game in his first year eligible in 2016-2017. Taylor improved again and averaged 17.8 points per game this past season. There are strong parallels between Boum and Taylor as high-scoring guards.

Boum is already a proven commodity as a scorer, thriving at getting to the free throw line and shooting a respectable 36% from three. A sit out year will do wonders for him in terms of adding strength to his diminutive stature and getting acclimated to a new system at UTEP.

Head coach Rodney Terry continues to remake the UTEP roster. Boum is the second transfer Terry has landed, joining NJIT transfer Anthony Tarke. Both Boum and Tarke are promising transfers for the Miners, as both were double-digit scorer’s at their previous schools.

Boum and Tarke might not be the last transfers that UTEP lands. Former Fresno State big man Bryson Williams also officially visited UTEP this past weekend. The Miners still have three roster openings for the 2018-2019 season.

UTEP Lands NJIT Transfer Anthony Tarke

A day after landing 2018 big man Kaosi Ezeagu, UTEP strikes again as NJIT transfer Anthony Tarke committed to the Miners today. He chose UTEP over Maryland and South Alabama.

Tarke wrapped up a productive sophomore season finishing with averages of 15.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists. He also chipped in 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. The 6-foot-6 athlete was primarily used as a power forward at NJIT, where his impressive leaping ability was put to use. His production went up during Atlantic Sun Conference play, where he averaged 17.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists.

The one area where Tarke struggled this past season was his perimeter shot, both at the free throw line (64%) and from three (28% on 4.9 attempts per game). The sit out year should help increase those percentages, as will his shot selection.

Tarke joins Ezeagu, Nigel Hawkins, Efe Odigie and Deon Stroud in head coach Rodney Terry’s first recruiting class. UTEP now has four scholarships left for the 2018-2019 season.

Kaosi Ezeagu Commits to UTEP

Head coach Rodney Terry added a new piece to the puzzle with the commitment of Canadian big man Kaosi Ezeagu this evening. Ezeagu, a 2018 big man, chose UTEP over South Carolina and Western Michigan. He also becomes the second Canadian on UTEP’s roster, joining redshirt junior wing Isiah Osborne.

Ezeagu, listed at 6-foot-10, developed a reputation as a defensive-minded big man. He graduated from GTA Prep at Mississauga Secondary School in Brampton, Canada. Ezeagu participated in the BioSteel All Canadian High School Basketball Game this year, the equivalent of the McDonald’s All-American Game in the United States.

He will team up with fellow incoming freshman Efe Odigie to man the center position. While Odigie is lauded for his offensive touch in the paint and hands, Ezeagu thrives as a rim-protector. He joins Nigel Hawkins, Odigie and Deon Stroud in UTEP’s 2018 class.

There are still five scholarships left for Terry and his staff to use. NJIT combo forward Anthony Tarke, who recently officially visited UTEP, is set to make his decision tomorrow. Tarke’s finalists are Maryland, South Alabama and UTEP.

Rodney Terry Recruiting History at Fresno State

(utepathletics.com)

New UTEP head coach Rodney Terry served in the same role at Fresno State for seven years, starting in the 2011-2012 season. To get a better idea of his recruiting, I looked at all of his classes at Fresno State, including this year’s 2018 class. I went with Rivals specifically for rankings. Here is the information:

High School

20

Junior College Transfers

7

DI Transfers

12

Rivals 150

5

Rivals 3-stars

10

Rivals 4-stars

6 (William McDowell-White signed but never played for Fresno State)

Most Frequent U.S. States

California- 15

Texas- 5

Arizona- 3

***Non U.S.- 6 (2 from Canada)

(sunsentinel.com)

Best Player

Tyler Johnson

2010-2014

Terry inherited Johnson at the beginning of his tenure at Fresno State. Johnson’s freshman season saw him average 4.4 points in 31 games for previous head coach Steve Cleveland. In his sophomore season and in Terry’s first year at the helm, Johnson more than doubled his scoring as a part-time starter. As an upperclassmen, Johnson continued to improve and thrive while becoming an all-around threat and leading scorer. Johnson’s ascent continued after graduation, going from the G League to becoming a key rotation player and double-digit for the Miami Heat. Johnson earned a 4 year, 50 million contract from the Heat in the summer of 2016. While Terry didn’t recruit Johnson, he certainly played an integral role in developing him during his time at Fresno State.

(collegian.csufresno.edu)

Best Recruit

Marvelle Harris

2012-2016

Harris was easily the most talented and productive player Terry recruited at Fresno State. Rivals ranked him as a three-star recruit, but Harris outplayed that ranking en route to becoming the school’s all-time scoring leader. He led Fresno State to the 2016 NCAA Tournament, the only appearance for Fresno State under Terry. Terry and his coaching staff did a great job of developing Harris. He arrived at Fresno State as a wing, became a combo guard then became the primary ball-handler as a senior for a NCAA Tournament team. Harris currently plays for Limburg United in Belgium.

(collegian.csufresno.edu)

Biggest Miss

Robert Upshaw

2012-2013

The 7-foot center was Terry’s signature recruit, ranking as a four-star recruit and #52 nationally by Rivals in 2012. Unfortunately, his career never panned because of off the court issues. He appeared in 22 games and started five, flashing potential as an elite rim-protector. Upshaw was dismissed from the team after one season, and he transferred to Washington. He was also dismissed there and currently plays for the Yakima SunKings of the North American Premier Basketball League.

(fresnobee.com)

Best Transfer

Deshon Taylor

2015-present

Cezar Guerrero and Jaron Hopkins drew consideration, but Taylor is the pick thanks to his scoring prowess and production under Terry. Taylor started his career at UMKC and averaged 7.5 points as a freshman in 2014-2015 as a part-time starter. After sitting out the 2015-2016 season, Taylor averaged 12.5 points and shot 40% from three last year. But he continued to improve in Terry’s final season at Fresno State this year, leading the team in scoring at 17.8 points.

UIC offers Alabama Transfer Ar’Mond Davis

In nearly three years under Head Coach Steve McClain, the Flames have seen several players transfer out of the program. For the first time, UIC is delving into the transfer market to take in players. Ar’Mond Davis, a senior wing at Alabama, is leaving as a grad transfer and UIC offered him yesterday. 

Davis suffered a knee injury this past season, forcing him to miss the entire year and redshirt. He appeared in 32 games in 2016-2017, averaging 6.0 points in just 13.8 minutes. His playing time fluctuated throughout the season, yet he still managed to score in double-figures in 10 out of 32 games.

Originally from Tacoma, Washington, Davis was a highly-touted junior college wing, ranking in the top ten in 2016 before landing at Alabama. Since announcing his intentions to transfer, Davis has picked up offers from Horizon League foes Northern Kentucky and Oakland in addition to UC Santa Barbara. 

UIC has two openings and are casting a wide net with offers to the following players:

Chase Adams from Orr High School in Chicago, IL

Tyler Cheese from Florida Southwestern State College

Tyreek Scott-Grayson from State Fair Community College

Kawanise Wilkins from Barton Community College

David Wingett from Bull City Preparatory Academy

UIC already has commitments from big men Isaac Bassey and Brandon John in the 2018 class. 

UIC Offers Kawanise Wilkins

Photo courtesy of Barton Community College Athletics

UIC continues its pursuit of filling the two scholarship vacancies in the 2018-2019 season as a new target has emerged.

Kawanise Wilkins, a 6-foot-5 wing at Barton Community College, tweeted that he received a scholarship offer from UIC yesterday. Wilkins graduated from Farragut High School in Chicago last year, which is only four miles away from the UIC Pavilion.

Wilkins is a qualifier, meaning he can transfer to a DI school next year and has three years of eligibility left starting in 2018-2019.

Wilkins has been a standout freshman performer at Barton, producing an impressive stat line for a 28-6 team. He is averaging 15.3 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Wilkins is shooting 49% from the field and 36% from three. But he’s stepped up his play at the right time, thriving thus far in the playoffs.

In four postseason games, Wilkins is averaging 17.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists. His strong play in the playoffs has led to surplus of scholarship offers in a short amount of time. 

Wilkins has received ten offers in the last 11 days. He has offers from Albany, Bradley, Hofstra, Indiana State, Kent State, Loyola, Milwaukee, UIC, Western Michigan and Winthrop.

He opened up about his recruitment and his timeline for a decision. "Coach McClain and Coach Brown began recruiting me a couple of weeks ago," Wilkins shared. "I like that UIC plays in a good league and their competitive nature. I haven't visited any schools yet and I plan to schedule them when my season is finished. I'll make my commitment whenever the time is right."

UIC appears to be looking for guard and wing depth based on their current offers. In addition to Wilkins, the Flames are pursuing Tyreek Scott-Grayson and David Wingett on the wing. Chase Adams and Tyler Cheese are the guard targets.

The Flames already have two commitments from big men, Isaac Bassey and Brandon John.

UIC vs Saint Francis Recap

What Happened
UIC easily defeated visiting Saint Francis 84-61 tonight at UIC Pavilion in the first round of the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament. Tai Odiase also made history passing one of the greatest shot-blockers of all time. He surpassed Dikembe Mutombo on the all-time blocks list, swatting six shots.

It was UIC’s first game without leading scorer Dikembe Dixson, who exhausted his collegiate eligibility by turning pro.

The Flames did just fine sans Dixson. Godwin Boahen replaced Dixson in the starting lineup and handed out a season-high nine assists. Six players scored in double-figures, yet only one player attempted double-digit field goal attempts. Clint Robinson led UIC with a career-high 15 points off the bench. Tarkus Ferguson added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

UIC’s defense severely limited the offensive production from Saint Francis. The Red Flash only shot 32.3% as a team. The top scorer’s for Saint Francis, Keith Braxton and Jamaal King, came into the game scoring 17.4 points per game and 18.3 points per game. While they both combined to score 26 points, the duo shot 9-of-31 from the field. By neutralizing Braxton and King, UIC cut off the head of the snake.

Key Sequence
UIC went on a 9-0 early in the second half which allowed the Flames to seize control with a healthy lead. Ottey and Blount dunked consecutively to give UIC a 49-33 lead with 15:09 minutes left in the game.

What It Means
The Flames played extremely well on both sides of the ball without their leading scorer. That bodes well going forward in this tournament and next year.

What’s Next
UIC moves on to the quarterfinals of the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament, the opponent is yet to be determined.

Brandon John Commits to UIC

It appears UIC’s pipeline to Canada has been further strengthened with a prospect north of the border pledging to the Flames this evening.

Brandon John, a class of 2018 big man from Canada, verbally committed to UIC this evening on his twitter page. John, listed as a 6-foot-9 big from The RISE Centre (TRC) in Brantford, played for the CIA Bounce this past summer in the Nike EYBL. He averaged 2.6 points per game and 3.0 rebounds off the bench for a team that included five-star big man Simi Shittu (Vanderbilt) and five-star combo forward Ignas Brazdeikis (Michigan).

According to Verbal Commits, John had offers from several mid-major programs including Binghamton, Cal State Fullerton, Central Michigan, Denver, Niagara and Southern Utah.

With John now in UIC’s 2018 class, he joins junior college big man Isaac Bassey. UIC has one scholarship remaining in the class, potentially two if redshirt sophomore Dikembe Dixson decides to leave as he tweeted this past Friday.

Other targets with scholarship offers in the 2018 class for UIC include Chase Adams, Tyler Cheese, Tyreek Scott-Grayson, David Wingett and Daishaun Woods. UIC was recently at a game of Wingett’s last week according to his high school coach Darryl Harris. Wingett appears to be a prime wing target, especially with Dixson likely leaving after this season.

Horizon League Awards

Player of the Year
Kendrick Nunn
Oakland
Redshirt Senior
2017-2018 Stats: 26.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.9 apg, 1.5 spg, 128 three’s at 40 3fg%

Nunn was the most dominant, talented player in the Horizon League. He benefited enormously from head coach Greg Kampe’s unwavering trust in him to get a shot off anytime he wanted. Nunn was second in the country in points per game.

Freshman of the Year
Loudon Love
Wright State 
Redshirt Freshman
2017-2018 stats: 12.7 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 1.0 bpg, 53 fg%, 12 double-doubles

Love anchored a top-50 KenPom defense as a redshirt freshman, while also excelling as a low-post threat on offense. He was one of only three players to average at least one steal and one block during conference play.

Defensive Player of the Year
Tai Odiase
UIC 
Senior
2017-2018 stats: 9.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.2 bpg

Odiase once again claims the defensive player of the year, as UIC’s defense improved from #226 last season to #142 this season on Kenpom.com because of Odiase. He ranked fifth in the country in blocks per game. Odiase also averaged 3.4 blocks per game and 1.0 steals per game during conference play.

Sixth Man of the Year
Godwin Boahen
UIC 
Sophomore
2017-2018 stats: 8.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.0 spg, 42 3fg%

Boahen provided reliable scoring off the bench for UIC, leading the Horizon League in three point field goal percentage (50%). His scoring went up to 9.6 points per game during conference play.

Coach of the Year
Scott Nagy
Wright State

Wright State was picked to finish fifth in the preseason poll but went on to go 22-9 and 14-4 in conference to end up second in the Horizon League. Standout wing Mark Alskork transferred in the offseason, and Justin Mitchell left the team midway through the season. Despite losing both players, Nagy got the most out of his team and has been instrumental in the development of freshman standout Loudon Love.

First Team All-Horizon League
Lavone Holland II
Kendrick Nunn
Kameron Chatman
Drew McDonald
Loudon Love

Second Team All-Horizon League
Khalil Small
Grant Benzinger
Sandy Cohen
Jalen Hayes
Tai Odiase

All-Freshman Team
Tyree Appleby
Jermaine Jackson Jr.
Jaylon Hall
Jalen Tate
Loudon Love

All-Defensive Team
Tarkus Ferguson
Jordan Garnett
Isaiah Brock
Tai Odiase
Loudon Love

UIC vs Wright State Recap

What Happened
Wright State spoiled senior night at UIC by defeating the Flames 88-81 Sunday evening at the UIC Pavilion. Illinois native Loudon Love led Wright State with 23 points, 15 rebounds and five assists. Grant Benzinger added 21 points and Everett Winchester chipped in 19 points for Wright State.

Redshirt sophomore Dikembe Dixson led UIC (17-14, 12-6) with 19 points. Sophomore Marcus Ottey added 13 points. Sophomore point guard Tarkus Ferguson contributed across the board once again with 13 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

It was a tale of two halves for UIC, which started strong but could not sustain their impressive start.

UIC’s offense came shooting out of the gates and scored 51 first-half points after shooting 65.6% as a team. Wright State entered the game rated as top-50 defense according to Kenpom.com, but UIC was dominant offensively. Dixson scored 11 points to tie for the team lead. Ferguson stuffed the stat sheet to the tune of 11 points, six assists and five rebounds. Godwin Boahen and Tai Odiase added seven points apiece. Michael Diggins, thrust into extra playing time with Jordan Blount, Tai Odiase and Clint Robinson battling foul trouble, added five points and two blocks.

Wright State was paced by Grant Benzinger and Loudon Love. Benzinger lead Wright State with 16 points and love chipped in 15 points. Everett Winchester added nine points off the bench.

In the second half, Wright State’s defense made adjustments to neutralize UIC’s offense, leading to their victory. UIC only shot 6-of-26 from the field in the second half, which came out to 23.1% from the field. That proved to be the difference for Wright State in their come from behind victory.

Key Sequence
After Dixson scored on a driving layup to bring UIC within one point with 2:04 left in the game, Wright State responded to seal the game. Odiase blocked Love, but Love got the rebound and passed out to Benzinger who missed a three. Cole Gentry grabbed the offensive rebound on a long miss, which eventually led to Winchester scoring in the paint to give Wright State a 84-81 lead with 1:07 left. Wright State nearly took a minute off the clock in that sequence. After a turnover by Ferguson, Winchester once again scored in the paint to give Wright State an 86-81 lead with 20 seconds left.

What It Means
UIC finishes off the regular season in third place in the Horizon League, making a five game improvement from last year.

What’s Next
UIC takes on 6th seeded Milwaukee in the quarterfinals of the Horizon League Tournament on Sunday. The Flames have defeated Milwaukee twice this season with the average margin of victory being 16.5 points.

UIC vs Northern Kentucky Recap

What Happened

UIC lost to Northern Kentucky 79-72 Friday night at the UIC Pavilion. The Flames entered the game just one game behind Northern Kentucky for first place. Tai Odiase led UIC (17-13,12-5) with 14 points, while also adding nine rebounds and three blocks. Godwin Boahen, Dikembe Dixson, Tarkus Ferguson and Marcus Ottey all scored in double-figures as well.

UIC struggled offensively in the first half, only accumulating 26 points on 32% shooting from the field. Dixson led the Flames nine points. UIC and Jordan Blount did do a good job of defending Drew McDonald, who came into the game averaging 17.1 points per game. McDonald only scored two points in 12 first-half minutes as foul trouble plagued him.

Northern Kentucky, on the other hand, had every player who entered the game score. Levon’s Holland II led all scorer’s with 12 points. Carson Williams added nine points. NKU had nine offensive rebounds, which led to eight second chance points. UIC only had three offensive rebounds and did not get a second chance point.

UIC got off to a fast start in the second half and eventually tied Northern Kentucky at 61 after an Ottey layup with 5:48 left in the game. But Northern Kentucky, Lavonne Holland II in particular, sealed the deal late in the game. Holland II led Northern Kentucky with 25 points.

Key Sequence
McDonald made a crucial three to give Northern Kentucky a 64-61 lead with 5:31 left in the game. Odiase missed an alley-oop on the next possession and then had the ball stolen. Jordan Garnett then made a three give Northern Kentucky a 67-61 lead with 4:36 left. UIC never got closer than that deficit.

What It Means
UIC is no longer in contention for the regular-season title. But the Flames can finish no lower than third place.

What’s Next
Wright State comes to the UIC Pavilion on Sunday evening. Wright State lost to IUPUI today and are currently in second place in the Horizon League.

Horizon League Notebook

Wildcard of the Horizon League
After Saturday night’s upset over UIC on the road, Cleveland State has now defeated the Flames and Wright State this month. The Vikings are currently in 9th place in the Horizon League with a 4-10 record, and are 7-20 overall. Despite the bad record, first-year head coach Dennis Felton has opposing Horizon League teams dreading matching up with Cleveland State.

Felton’s development of senior wing Kenny Carpenter has been impressive. Carpenter only averaged 5.4 points per game last season while shooting 35% from the field and 19% from three. This year, he’s the teams leading-scorer at 12.7 points while shooting 47% from the field and 35% from three. Carpenter only attempted 46 three’s last season, he’s already made 43 through 26 games. Tyree Appleby has been a standout freshman performer, putting up 11.7 points, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals. He should make the Horizon League All-Freshman Team.

Dark Horse Pick to Make a Run at Motor City Madness
Another first-year head coach has impressed and has his team looking like a tough matchup in the Horizon League Tournament. Pat Baldwin and Milwaukee currently sit at 14-14 and are 7-8 in conference play. Milwaukee had big non-conference victories over Iowa State and Loyola, and have completed a regular-season sweep over Wright State.

Redshirt junior Brock Stull has continued his stat-sheet stuffing ways, but junior guard Jeremiah Bell and sophomore big man Bryce Nze have been revelations. Bell has nearly doubled his scoring output from last year (7.1 ppg in 2016-2017, 13.7 ppg this year) thanks to his effectiveness beyond the arc (61 3-pointers at 39%). He’s playing even better in conference play: 15.6 ppg, 2.5 3pg at 42%. Nze is load inside and a nightly double-double threat at 10.1 ppg and 7.8 rpg. He had a three-game stretch in conference play where he averaged 18.3 ppg and 11.0 rpg. The trio of Bell, Nze and Stull make Milwaukee an intriguing team to monitor at Motor City Madness.

Trio of Wright State Freshman Make for a Solid Foundation
Loudon Love is the runaway favorite to win the Horizon League Freshman of the Year thanks to his 12.4 ppg and 9.9 rpg. What makes this even more impressive is before playing this year as a redshirt freshman, Love last played actual games as a junior in high school during the 2014-2015. Love was injured his senior year (2015-2016) and redshirted last season (2016-2017).

Head Coach Scott Nagy has also received solid contributions from redshirt freshman Everett Winchester. He is averaging 7.4 ppg off the bench as an effective face-up four man off the bench.

But Jaylon Hall has really stood out as a true freshman. When Justin Mitchell left the team last month, Hall seized the opportunity on the wing and has flourished. He is averaging 10.0 ppg and 3.1 rpg in conference play, making him a viable candidate for Sixth Man of the Year in the Horizon League. His shooting percentages are low, but Hall is clearly confident and aggressive which leads to double-digit scoring outputs.

UIC Reserve Guard Shooting Lights Out
Godwin Boahen is shooting the long ball at an incredibly efficient rate during conference play. He’s averaging 10.1 ppg off the bench, while shooting 61% from three. He’s making 2.1 three’s out of 3.4 attempts. This makes Boahen the front-runner for Sixth Man of the Year if he can finish off the season strong.

Recruiting Notes

Recent Commitments

Silas Adheke committed to Northern Kentucky on on February 4th. He’s a redshirt freshman at Eastern Florida State, averaging 7.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg and shooting 52% from three. Adheke, a Chattanooga native listed at 6-foot-9 and 237 pounds, redshirted at Evansville during the 2016-2017 season. He then transferred to Eastern Florida State.

Dibaji Walker committed to Cleveland State on February 6th. Walker is taking a post-grad year at Woodstock Academy in Connecticut after graduating from Independence High School in Columbus, OH in 2016-2017. He is listed as a 6-foot-6 lefty wing who didn’t have any DI offers coming out of Independence, but drew several DI offers at Woodstock according to Verbal Commits.

New Offers Out

Oakland offered 2018 guard Kenny Pittman from Simeon in Chicago, IL. Pittman is a standout 3-point shooter playing for the best high school team in Illinois. He also holds offers from Chicago State and UT Martin. Oakland also offered 2019 guard Emmanuel Newsome from Cooper City, FL. The offer is Newsome’s first DI offer according to Verbal Commits.

UIC Basketball has Arrived, Again

(Chicago Sun-Times)

When the final horn sounded at the Athletics Center O’Rena on Friday evening, UIC basketball officially arrived, again, after a 14 year hiatus. The Flames went into hostile territory and defeated an Oakland team that has finished at least third in the Horizon League the past three years.

This accomplishment- a road victory over a perennial Horizon League favorite- was only a pipe dream the previous decade. But now? A reachable goal within arm’s grasp. And by winning and limiting standout Kendrick Nunn- a Chicago native who is the second-leading scorer in the country- to an abysmal 3-of-22 shooting from the field, UIC firmly cemented itself as threat to win the Horizon League now and for the foreseeable future.

How did UIC pull off the victory, and why are they so successful in Horizon League play now after years of mediocrity? The answer is head coach Steve McClain.

McClain has methodically built UIC into a strong mid-major program, and it started right away in his tenure. Here’s a timeline leading up to UIC’s defeat of Oakland on February 2nd:

-UIC formally introduced McClain as its 11th head coach in program history on March 23rd, 2015.

-In an age where it is common for players to transfer after coaching changes, rising sophomore Tai Odiase elects to stay put at UIC. This is McClain’s first major recruiting victory.

-McClain hits the ground running and lands four newcomers in the 2015 class, most notably Dikembe Dixson and Dominique Matthews. UIC beat out high-majors for a commitment from Dixson in June, including DePaul. Considering how late in the recruiting cycle McClain was hired, these two players prove to be great pickups for UIC.

-On October 3rd, 2015, McClain lands a verbal commitment from his point guard of the future in Tarkus Ferguson from Belleville, IL. Regarded as a combo guard and ranked in the top dozen in the class of 2016 in Illinois, Ferguson is an impressive coup for UIC considering McClain had not won or lost a game yet. He is a three-star recruit.

-Nearly a month later on November 5th, 2015, McClain adds to the 2016 class with the verbal commitment of Ireland-native Jordan Blount. He is regarded as a 6-foot-7 forward with a nice skill set on the perimeter.

-Several days later, McClain signs three-star recruit K.J. Santos from Sunrise Christian Academy, adding to his already impressive 2016 class. Originally from Geneva, IL and the 2015 class, Santos reclassified to the 2016 class and went the prep school route. Santos fits a similar mold to Blount, a 6-foot-7 forward comfortable on the perimeter.

-Despite a 5-22 record, UIC lands yet another verbal commitment in the 2016 class, this time from junior college big man Kyle Guice on February 22nd, 2016. Guice helped lead North Idaho College to a 30-0 record up to that point and thrived as a stretch-four at 6-foot-7.

-Year one only yields a 5-25 record, with only three wins against Division I opponents. UIC finishes in last place in the Horizon League at 3-15. The lone bright spots are Dixson unanimously winning Horizon League Freshman of the Year and Odiase making the Horizon League All-Defensive Team. Dixson averaged a team-leading 19.8 points and 7.3 rebounds in his debut. Odiase not only led the Horizon League in blocks per game with 3.2, but the entire country as well.

-McClain continues hitting the recruiting trail, landing three-star recruit Godwin Boahen on March 18th, 2016. Boahen is a 5-foot-11 point guard from The Hill Academy in Toronto, Canada.

-UIC once again beats out high-majors for a prized recruit on April 10th, 2016, this time 2016 combo guard Marcus Ottey who is also from the Toronto-area. Ottey officially visited Cincinnati but opted for UIC. He is also a three-star recruit.

-The Flames make one last addition to the 2016 class with the addition of junior college big man Clint Robinson on June 20th, 2016. Robinson, a 6-foot-8 big man from State Fair Community College, adds depth to UIC’s frontcourt. He is the finishing touch on arguably the best 2016 recruiting class in the Horizon League.

-The Flames start out the 2016-2017 season with a 4-5 record. UIC already matches the previous years’ victory total against Division I teams heading into their matchup against DePaul on December 14th, 2016. UIC pulls off the upset and defeats DePaul 80-75 at McGrath-Phillips in Lincoln Park. Guice connects on pivotal three with less than a minute left to seal the victory. But the triumph comes at a great cost, as Dixson suffers a season-ending knee injury.      

-Boahen records UIC’s first triple-double in their Division I era in a rout of Roosevelt on December 22nd, 2016. He finished with 13 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in a 91-53 victory.                                                                  

-On January 17th, 2017, UIC wins its third consecutive Horizon League game by defeating Milwaukee to improve to 11-8 overall and 4-2 in conference. The Flames easily surpass the previous years’ Horizon League win total. Odiase dominated with 20 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks.

-UIC heads into the Horizon League Tournament with a 14-17 record and sixth place finish in conference with a 7-11 record. The Flames draw third-seeded Green Bay and pull off the upset with a 79-70 victory. Odiase anchored the paint to the tune of 16 points, eight rebounds and five blocks. UIC eventually loses to tenth-seeded Milwaukee in the semi-finals.

-On March 13th, 2017, UIC accepts an invite to the College Basketball Invitational. The Flames defeat Stony Brook and George Washington, but fall to Coastal Carolina in the semi-finals.

-McClain earns a contract extension on April 19th, 2017, extending his contract through the 2020-2021 season.

-UIC adds Ralph Bissainthe, Michael Diggins, Naradain James and Jacob Wiley to the 2017 class in the spring.

-With the defections of assistant coaches Ronald Coleman and Brendan Mullins, McClain adds Dee Brown and Tony Harvey to the staff on September 1st, 2017.

-UIC stumbles out to a 2-4 record to start the season and lose Ferguson to a foot injury. Ferguson misses all of December as UIC goes 3-6 in the month and loses its first two Horizon League games.

-Ferguson returns on January 4th, 2018 and UIC promptly defeats IUPUI on the road 70-65.

-UIC precedes to go 9-1 with Ferguson back, including Friday night’s road victory over Oakland. The Flames have won six in a row, and even more impressively, their last six road games. UIC sits at 14-11 and 9-3 in Horizon League play. The Flames are just one game out of first place, as Northern Kentucky and Wright State are 10-2 in conference play. UIC gets its rematch against both programs at home at the end of the month.

As noted above, McClain has made shrewd recruiting moves but has also dealt with significant injuries. Blount, Boahen, Dixson, Ferguson, Matthews and Ottey are all sophomores that are key contributors this season. They combine to nearly score 60 points per game, UIC averages 73 points as a team. That’s roughly 81% of UIC’s scoring.

The development of Odiase into one of the country’s best rim-protectors has been critical as he anchors the defense. The Flames currently rank as top-100 defense according to Ken Pomeroy. UIC also does not lose much of a beat when Robinson subs in for Odiase.

Diggins and Wiley have shown flashes of their potential, and Bissainthe is redshirting this season.

UIC is trending up, and while the looming departures of Odiase and Robinson will leave a gaping hole in the middle, the Flames will return four sophomore starter’s in 2018-2019.

Year three under McClain has proven to be fruitful and finally yielded the results he spoke of at his introductory press conference. This final month of conference play and Motor City Madness could potentially land UIC back in March Madness. It’s been too long, but worth the wait for McClain and UIC.

New 2018 Offer

New class of 2018 targets continue to emerge as David Wingett received a scholarship offer from UIC today, according to Bull City Prep Academy head coach Darryl Harris.

Wingett, listed as a 6-foot-7 wing, is playing a prep year at Bull City after starring at Winnebago High School in Nebraska the previous four years.

The Winnebago native finished third all-time in scoring at Nebraska with 2388 points and led his team to a state championship in 2015 and third place finish last season. He averaged 24.7 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.9 steals and 2.7 blocks during his senior season according to the Sioux City Journal. Winnebago went 28-3 last year, and 110-9 during Wingett’s four years.

Wingett elected to take a prep year and it has led to scholarship offers from Delaware State and UIC according to Verbal Commits. North Carolina State has also expressed interest.

UIC has two scholarship openings for the 2018-2019 season, with junior college big man Isaac Bassey already in the fold.

The Flames have several scholarships out to high school and juco prospects in the 2018 class including Chase Adams, Tyler Cheese and Tyreek Scott-Grayson.

UIC vs IUPUI Recap

What Happened
UIC rallied back in the second half to defeat IUPUI 71-62 at the UIC Pavilion on Saturday afternoon. Sophomore Jordan Blount paved the way for UIC (11-11, 6-3) despite only scoring seven points. He caused three straight turnovers late in the game to give UIC the lead for good. Blount left his mark with 14 rebounds, seven assists and five steals in an all-around effort that led to UIC’s victory.

Sophomore Marcus Ottey led the Flames with 18 points, 13 of which came in the second half. Redshirt sophomore Dikembe Dixson added 15 points and senior Tai Odiase contributed 11 points, nine rebounds and four blocks.

Both teams struggled offensively in the first half, as IUPUI led 32-27 after 20 minutes. UIC only shot 33.3% from the field, with Dixson leading the way with nine points. Odiase added a strong interior presence with five points, five rebounds and two blocks.

IUPUI only shot 36.7% from the field in the first half, but made 4-of-9 three’s to separate themselves from UIC. Ron Patterson scored nine points and shot 3-of-4 from three.

With the Flames down 32-27 at the half, the defense sparked the comeback victory. IUPUI only shot 29.2% in the second half, while UIC shot 60% from the field. This led to the Flames outscoring IUPUI 44-30 in the second half.

Reserves Godwin Boahen and Clint Robinson were the catalysts for the second-half comeback, combining to score 13 consecutive points for the Flames during a 13-7 run that allowed them to reclaim the lead 49-48 with 8:17 left in the game.

Key Sequence
Blount turned defense to offense three consecutive times to give UIC the lead for good late in the game. He stole the ball from Aaron Brennan with 7:09 left, then proceeded to start the fast break and connect with Odiase for an alley-oop. Blount stole the ball from Brennan again on the next possession, which led to two free throw’s from Ottey to give UIC a 54-50 lead with 6:29 left. He put the icing on the cake with a third consecutive steal, and he converted on the other end with an emphatic dunk to give UIC a 56-50 lead with 6:19 left in the game. UIC never relinquished the lead and went on to win.

What It Means
UIC has won 6 of its last 7 games to improve 6-3 in the Horizon League and retain 4th place.

What’s Next
The Flames head on a pivotal three-game road trip that starts on Monday at Milwaukee. Although UIC routed Milwaukee 88-73 earlier this month at home, the Panthers have won three straight including a win over first-place Wright State.

Notes
-Robinson returned after a one-game absence to score seven crucial points off the bench. He was effective on both ends of the floor, also blocking three shots. Robinson appears to be healthy, which is good news moving forward for UIC.

Greg Kampe’s Take on UIC

UIC suffered a tough home loss to perennial Horizon League power Oakland on Monday night. The Flames lost 78-68 in a game that was much closer than the final score indicates. Both teams were tied at 65 with 3:43 left in the game.

Oakland eventually pulled away, led by the nation’s #2 leading scorer and Chicago native, Kendrick Nunn. He appears to be the best player in the Horizon League, his talent shined when Oakland needed him most down the stretch. Nunn finished with 32 points, nine rebounds and four assists while playing the entire game.

The loss undoubtedly hurt UIC, but Oakland head coach Greg Kampe sees brighter days for the Flames. UIC and head coach Steve McClain earned praise from Kampe following the close bout between the two programs. “You gotta give a guy time to get his system in,” Kampe explained. “I know one thing, he’s got long athletes. That wasn’t easy to do. So that’s the first step.”

Upon being hired in the spring of 2015, McClain went to work and hit the recruiting trail hard to bring in talented players. He landed Dominique Matthews, who starred at St. Rita in Chicago before taking a post-graduate year at Victory Rock Preparatory School in Florida. Matthews has provided valuable scoring and perimeter defense off the bench this year.

But the most impressive recruiting haul in 2015 was getting Dikembe Dixson in June over several high-major teams, including DePaul. Dixson fits Kampe’s description of long athletes, and he’s picked up his performance of late to play at a high level.

McClain’s best recruiting effort was in the 2016 class, which includes current guards Godwin Boahen, Tarkus Ferguson and Marcus Ottey. Big men Jordan Blount and Clint Robinson are also a part of the 2016 class, which was regarded as one of the top classes in the Horizon League. Landing Ottey was particularly impressive and similar to Dixson, as he considered high-majors as well.

Kampe explained the next stage in developing a mid-major college program. “Now the second step is building a winning culture,” Kampe said. “He knows how to do that. He’s been at Indiana, he’s been at, when he was at Wyoming and won. He’s a really good coach. His culture will take time. Then you gotta win, and that ain’t easy, alright. Now, back in the day, it wasn’t easy when we were building it. So you have to give him time to build his culture because he’s proven that he can recruit players. And now those players need to learn how to win, they have to learn how to win in this league.”

UIC learned a valuable lesson from Oakland on winning and finishing out close games. The Flames’ youth showed, they couldn’t convert on shots when they needed them most. Oakland was poised under pressure, which led to their victory.

But brighter days are on the horizon, success is within reach according to Kampe. “You see that coming, I mean its coming, its close,” Kampe shared. “They’re not far away, and he’s still playing a lot of young kids. I do think they are way ahead of the curve. If I were a UIC fan I would be excited about our future. Now, some people might not be happy because this year hasn’t gone the way it was supposed to, but Tarkus Ferguson was out. That kid’s really good. Injuries at this level are huge, they’re huge at any level but especially at ours because we don’t have McDonald’s All-Americans sitting on the bench like Duke does.”

Kampe touched on the importance of UIC’s point guard. Ferguson has added stability since returning from a foot injury that sidelined him all of December, and UIC has reaped the benefits going 3-1 with him healthy. But in Ferguson’s void, UIC went 1-6 against Division I opponents in December. As Ferguson goes, so does UIC.

The numbers don’t lie. It’s night and day when you dive into the way UIC played with and without Ferguson.

Without Ferguson
1-6 record
58 assists as a team, 123 turnovers

With Ferguson Back
3-1 record
65 assists as a team, 61 turnovers

Ferguson has produced 29 assists since returning, compared to committing only 11 turnovers in 117 minutes. He has not shot the ball well, especially from three, but he affects the game in so many ways that he is clearly integral to UIC’s success.

UIC appears to be trending upwards with 12 conference games left. Kampe thinks UIC is a real wild-card, their season can go in many different directions. “It would not surprise me if they won every game the rest of the year,” Kampe said. “It would not surprise me if they went 50-50.”

Whether you agree or disagree with Kampe’s assessment of UIC’s potential to win out or be mediocre, his take on the Flames and the state of UIC in year three under McClain make them compelling and a team to monitor closely going forward.

UIC vs Oakland Recap

What Happened

UIC snapped its three game winning streak and lost to Oakland 78-68 on Monday night at the UIC Pavilion. Chicago native Kendrick Nunn erupted for 32 points in his return to the Windy City, leading Oakland to victory.

Dikembe Dixson and Tai Odiase led the Flames with 13 points each and Marcus Ottey chipped in 12. Tarkus Ferguson stuffed the stat sheet again to the tune of eight points, seven rebounds and six assists.

It was a tale of two halves for UIC (8-11, 3-3). Oakland led UIC 44-40 to conclude the first half in a game that had seven lead changes and six ties. UIC shot 51.9% from the field and was led by Dixson’s nine points. The Flames enjoyed a balanced offensive effort as Jordan Blount and Ottey each scored eight and Odiase added seven. But Oakland’s offense outshined UIC’s, as Nunn scored 18 points. Jalen Hayes added 13 of his own, as the duo showcased why they’re the nation’s best scoring duo. Oakland shot 54.5% from the field.

UIC struggled with its shot in the second half, shooting 35.3% from the field and committed eight turnovers. The poor offensive output proved to be the difference in the game. Dixson’s strong first half did not carry over into the second half, as he only made 1-of-10 shots. Ottey battled foul trouble and only scored four points in eight minutes in the second half. UIC’s top offensive threats only scoring eight points proved to be its demise.

Key Sequence

Nunn made a two-point jumper with 3:25 left to break a 65-65 tie, and he was fouled by Blount. He made the free throw to give Oakland a 68-65 lead, which it never relinquished and UIC never got any closer. Odiase missed a hook shot then Hayes converted on a two-pointer on the ensuing possessions.

What It Means

UIC now has a .500 record in the Horizon League. The Flames continue to play at a high level since the return of Ferguson, despite the home loss to Oakland. UIC was very much in it and nearly pulled off what would have been head coach Steve McClain’s signature win.

What’s Next

UIC begins a two-game road trip and takes on Youngstown State (5-14, 3-3) on Thursday evening. First year head coach Jerrod Calhoun won his first three Horizon League games, but has lost three in a row. The Penguins lost 77-67 to Wright State tonight.

Notes

-UIC is now 3-1 since Ferguson has been back in the lineup. His most important impact? 29 assists to only 11 turnovers in 117 minutes. Ferguson may not be scoring well yet, but he has contributed all over to average 6.5 ppg, 7.3 apg, 5.3 rpg, 1.3 spg and 1.0 bpg.

Recruiting Update

Tarkus Ferguson missing all of December with a foot injury highlighted a serious void in UIC’s roster: point guard depth. While sophomores Godwin Boahen and Marcus Ottey are capable of scoring at a high level, both struggled manning the point while Ferguson was out.

UIC has made the point guard position a point of emphasis in the 2018 class, which currently only includes junior college big man Isaac Bassey. He is averaging 3.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg thus far for State Fair Community College, which is 14-3 so far this season.

UIC has two scholarships left in the 2018 class. The Flames have targeted two point guards thus far, Chase Adams and Tyler Cheese. UIC has also offered Tyreek Scott-Grayson, a teammate of Bassey at State Fair Community College.

Adams, who plays for Orr, garnered an offer on 1/2/18 during a visit to UIC after a strong showing at the Proviso West Holiday Tournament. Adams, listed at 5-foot-8 and 135 pounds, led Orr in claiming the Proviso West Holiday Tournament championship. In four games, all wins, Adams averaged 12.3 ppg and 4.5 apg. He handed out 18 assists and only committed six turnovers.

Adams arrived at Marian Catholic with great hype thanks to dominating at the middle school level alongside Chicago State commit Kezo Brown. Arizona, Baylor and DePaul pursued Adams early on, but that interest fizzled out over time. Adams transferred to Orr over the summer and has thrived with his new team.

Orr is 13-3 and currently ranked #3 by the Chicago Sun-Times. Adams has led Orr as a facilitator, playing alongside Milwaukee-bound guard Tyronn Mosley and two unsigned seniors: Dannie Smith, a 6-foot-5 skilled combo forward and Raekwon Drake, a 6-foot-5 high-flying big man. Smith and Drake are two names to monitor going forward.

Adams was offered by Oral Roberts and Southern Utah over the summer, in addition to his recent offer from UIC.

Cheese, listed at 6-foot-4, plays for Florida Southwestern State College. The big point guard is ranked #52 in the JucoRecruiting.com 2018 class. Cheese is currently averaging 16.4 ppg, 6.9 apg, 5.3 rpg and 2.3 spg. Florida Southwestern State College is 18-1 thus far, thanks to Cheese leading the way.

UIC offered Cheese on 1/6/18, and he also sports offers from Canisius, Mercer and North Carolina Central.

Scott-Grayson is listed at 6-foot-5 and is a freshman qualifier, meaning he’ll be eligible to transfer to a Division I team next season and play as a sophomore. He’s an athletic lefty who is averaging 12.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.1 apg.

UIC offered Scott-Grayson on 12/20/17, and Texas State has also extended an offer.

UIC vs Milwaukee Recap

What Happened

UIC once again started strong en route to a 88-73 victory over Milwaukee on Friday night at the UIC Pavilion. The Flames (8-10, 3-2) are winners of three consecutive Horizon League games.

Sophomore guard Tarkus Ferguson led the way with an impressive all-around effort: 15 points, 9 assists, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks. After being held to three first-half points, redshirt sophomore Dikembe Dixson exploded for 19 second-half points. Sophomore guard Marcus Ottey finished with 20 points.

UIC played a strong first half, limiting Milwaukee to 27.6% shooting from the field. The Flames shot 48.5% themselves, led by Ottey and his 11 first-half points. Dominique Matthews, who only scored four points against Green Bay, added eight points to provide a key spark off the bench.

The Flames strong start carried into the second half, especially with Dixson stepping up and scoring at a high-level. Milwaukee’s offense improved greatly in the second half, but UIC’s offense matched the Panthers to hold on to the lead and secure the victory.

Key Sequence

Milwaukee cut UIC’s lead to 12 with 4:10 led in the game. Ferguson responded with a floater to increase UIC’s lead to 14, and Milwaukee was never able to get any closer.

What It Means

UIC has now won three straight conference games and have improved to 3-2 in the Horizon League.

What’s Next

Oakland (11-8, 3-3), off to an uncharacteristically poor start in Horizon League play, will play UIC on Monday at the Pavilion. Oakland defeated Cleveland State tonight on the road. They’re led by Jalen Hayes, Kendrick Nunn and Martez Walker, who all average at least 18 points per game.

Notes

-Ferguson has accumulated 21 assists the last two games and only committed four turnovers in 64 minutes of play. He looked to drive more than in the previous two games, which led to some finishes in the paint. Paint touches open up the floor for Ferguson and his teammates.

-Ottey has now scored at least 15 points in his last five games, all Horizon League games. He’s currently averaging 17.2 points in conference play, best for the Flames.

-Dixson has made 64% of his shots the last two games, and 75% of his three point attempts. While those percentages are unsustainable long-term, producing at such an efficient manner gives UIC two potent scorer’s in Dixson and Ottey.

UIC vs. Green Bay Recap

What Happened

UIC easily defeated Green Bay 84-73 Wednesday evening at the UIC Pavilion behind an impressive offensive showing. The Flames (7-10, 2-2) have now won back-to-back Horizon League games, their previous victory coming on the road at IUPUI.

Redshirt sophomore Dikembe Dixson led four UIC double-digit scorer’s with 23 points while shooting a remarkable 10-of-12 from the field. Godwin Boahen (16 points), Jordan Blount (13 points) and Marcus Ottey (16 points) provided excellent support to Dixson.

UIC held Green Bay to 25 first-half points on a dismal 34.4% from the field. The Phoenix only made 1-of-14 three’s in the first half. UIC, on the other hand, scored 42 first-half points and shot 60% from the field. UIC’s great start propelled it to a victory in a game where the final score was bit deceiving, as the Flames thoroughly dominated Green Bay.

Sophomore guard Tarkus Ferguson, in his second game back after suffering a foot injury, went scoreless but had a significant impact thanks to his career-high 12 assists.

Key Sequence

UIC jumped out to a 15-2 lead to start the game, seizing control early thanks to strong defense. Green Bay shot 1-of-13 during the run and went scoreless for nearly six minutes. Green Bay’s horrendous start was too much to overcome, the closest they were able to get to UIC was a nine point deficit late in the game.

What It Means

After losing to Wright State and Northern Kentucky, who are both tied for first place in the Horizon league with undefeated records of 4-0, UIC wins consecutive conference games to get to .500. Milwaukee looms on Friday evening, but UIC is favored at home.

What’s Next

Milwaukee (9-9, 2-3) and first-year head coach Pat Baldwin make the short trip to Chicago after losing to IUPUI on Wednesday night on a buzzer-beater.

Notes

-Jordan Blount tied a career-high with 13 points while shooting 6-of-9 from the field. He also added seven rebounds in 24 minutes of play. Blount finished well near the rim and was assertive in looking for his shot.

-Dikembe Dixson and Marcus Ottey were both electric in the open-court on fastbreak opportunities. They took great shots within the flow of the offense, which was crucial in both of them combining to shoot 15-of-20 from the field and 5-of-6 from three. They also benefited from Ferguson and his crisp passes.

-Godwin Boahen also had a great game off the bench, shooting 4-of-5 from the field and 3-of-4 from three. He really thrives when he can play both on and off the ball, and he is very effective in catch-and-shoot opportunities.