Horizon League Basketball Preview: #9 UIC Flames

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In the early 2000’s Jimmy Collins’ UIC team was a regular contender for the Horizon League crown, advancing to the NCAA Tournament in 2001-02 and 2003-04. Since then the Flames program gradually declined, leading to Collins’ resignation in 2010. Things haven’t turned around since Howard Moore took over for Collins. The program now regularly takes the bottom spot in the conference, winning less than 10 games in three of the four seasons since Moore became head coach.

Kelsey Barlow led UIC in scoring and assists last season. He is one of four key rotation players who will not be returning to the Flames this season.

Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Despite winning just six games last season, UIC faces a great deal of turnover. Kelsey Barlow did a little bit of everything last year; finishing the year as the team leader in points, assists, and steals while finishing third on the team in rebounds and blocks. Barlow is one of three seniors from the Flames’ rotation to graduate. UIC will also have to replace promising freshman Pat Birt, who left the program to play for South Plains Community College. Birt averaged 6.3 points on 41% shooting on his way to being named to the Horizon League All-Freshman team.

UIC will bring in six recruits to replace its departing players. Guards Jay Harris, D’Juan Miller and Paris Burns; as well as forwards Jason McClellan, David Ramon and Tai Odiase will join the team this fall.

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Jay Harris is a proven commodity who used the NCAA’s graduate student transfer exception to join the Flames. Harris will be returning to the Horizon league after a season at Wagner. His Wagner career ended when he was suspended for the season in February following a “violation of team policy”.

Jay Harris transferred to UIC from Wagner. Harris previously played in the Horizon League for two seasons at Valparaiso.

Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Prior to his time at Wagner, Harris spent two seasons at Valparaiso. The combo guard came to the Horizon League with a lot of hype, but was unable to crack a veteran-laden Valparaiso lineup. During his sophomore season, he did average 9 points per game during the team’s run to the NCAA Tournament.

Eastern Arizona College relied on D’Juan Miller for his scoring prowess, but it seems that he will be a pass-first point guard with the Flames. During UIC’s recent trip to Canada; Miller averaged 3.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game. Miller started two of the five games during the Canada trip, and it’s possible that he could be in consideration for a starting job if none of the guards in the lineup can effectively distribute the ball.

Junior College big man Kaylen Shane committed to UIC, but was unable to qualify academically and will not be a member of the team. A major part of UIC’s recent struggles relate to having too many guards and not enough quality post play, and losing Shane leaves the team with only freshman Tai Odiase as a viable option at center. While UIC brought in three players over 6-foot-7, only Odiase looks to be a back-to-the-basket big man. At 210 pounds,he will likely need time to add to his frame before logging heavy minutes. Jason McClellan and David Ramon spend a lot more time on the perimeter, though at 242 pounds McClellan should be able to provide a presence inside.
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With the roster overhaul UIC encountered this offseason, the team’s lineup could change dramatically in time. For now, it seems that the starting five Howard Moore plans to bring into the season will look something like this. Brown, Snider and Fells each started every game of UIC’s recent trip to Canada and should take up three spots in the starting lineup. Wiegand started several games during the trip, and is one of the few post players on the roster. Harris did not participate in the trip, but he has demonstrated the ability to perform at a high level against Division I competition. Assuming that the problems that caused him to be suspended at Wagner are resolved, he will likely be a starter and could potentially lead the team in scoring. The most glaring issue with this lineup is obviously size. Marc Brown is the second biggest player in the lineup, weighing just 200 pounds. With that in mind, a post player like McClellan or Odiase may end up subbing in for Fells.

While the Horizon League should be a much more wide open race than it was last year, it would take incredible effort from UIC’s newcomers to turn the program’s recent results around. Major roster changes across the rest of the Horizon League should lead to UIC winning more than the one league game it won last year, but the 2014 Flames finished five games out of 8th place. It’s difficult to believe the team will be able to climb out of last place this season while starting so far behind the rest of the league.

Projected Finish: 9^th Place