8. Illinois Chicago Flames
UIC may be the Valley’s biggest wild-card. After a successful (17-14) first season under head coach Rob Ehsan, the Flames watched virtually the entire roster leave via the portal and graduation.
With virtually one, remaining player (Ahmad Henderson II) Ehsan hit the recruiting trail and portal signing. Henderson (11.5 ppg) is the Valley’s reigning free throw shooting champion. The 5’9 former MAAC all-freshman team member is a proven scorer and defender.
Ehsan’s offseason work paid off. He picked up size, experience and players from the Windy City who wanted to play close to home. Towson transfer Mekhi Lowery is a 6’7 junior who played significant minutes for the Coastal Athletic Association champs. He averaged over five points and five boards and recorded three, double-doubles. 6’6 forward Sam Silverstein was the WAC’s fifth leading offensive rebounder while playing for Cal Baptist. Both are Chicago area natives.
While not from the ‘Land of Lincoln’ Little Rock transfer Ante Beljan and Central Connecticut State transfer Abdul Momoh are outstanding additions. The 6’8 Beljan averaged 10.1 points and 4.5 rebounds for the Trojans and the 6’7 Momoh was named to the NEC’s all-defensive team and a third-team, all-conference recognition while scoring 8.6 points and grabbing 6.1 rebounds.
Chris Walker comes to UIC after two seasons at Little Rock and one with Binghamton. The 6’6 Walker averaged 11.6 points while converting 43 percent of his shots from long distance.
Another Chicago native is grad-transfer Josiah Hammons. Hammons started 15 games at Sam Houston State and is a dangerous left-handed shooter (38 percent from deep).
Ehsan didn’t settle for older players. Three-star recruits Nano Barrantes (6’9 forward), Rashund Washington (6’5 wing) and Andy Johnson (6’5 guard) bring serious talent to the Flames’ rookie squad. Barrantes (Iowa) and Washington (Georgia) are each, two-time all-state players.
Potential abounds on this team. Three sophomores could get serious looks. After redshirting last season, three-star recruits Carlos Harris (Chicago’s Currie High School) and Jayce Nathaniel have great high school credentials. BYU transfer Elijah Crawford was a top-200 player coming out of high school and heading to Brewster Academy. He appeared in 21 games for BYU’s Sweet Sixteen team and is itching to make his mark in Division 1 basketball.
This team has numerous unknowns about how they’ll mesh and the blending of a rotation, but it is extremely talented and Ehsan’s proven winning track record, tells us this eighth-place position may be to low.