Game Notes (.pdf)
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Another hot basketball team enters the Carrier Dome on Wednesday, Dec. 21, for a 7 p.m. tipoff. Syracuse will try to douse the Flames of Illinois-Chicago (6-4), a team that has won three-straight games and is the only squad in the country to boast non-conference wins against teams from the ACC (Georgia Tech), SEC (Ole Miss) and Big Ten (Northwestern). Meanwhile, the Orange looks to extend its five-game winning streak and improve upon its 8-2 record and 7-1 mark at home.
The second-ever meeting between Syracuse and UIC will be televised by Time Warner - Channel 26 in Syracuse. A live video web stream will be available through Orange All Access at www.suathletics.com To view streaming video, computers must have a high speed internet connection and the latest version of Windows Media Player (a free download at www.microsoft.com/windowsmedia). Bandwidth constraints of service providers can affect the quality of the picture.
Fans can listen to Matt Park and Gene Waldron's call of the game on the Syracuse ISP Radio Network (WAQX - 95.7 FM and WNSS-1260 AM). This broadcast can also be accessed through the internet at www.suathletics.com
The Orange defeated Davidson, 90-80, in its most recent outing on Dec. 18. Senior guard Gerry McNamara and junior forward Demetris Nichols combined for 64 points in the win. McNamara tallied a season-high 38 points (8-of-12 from three-point land), while Nichols posted a career-best 26 points (8-of-14 from the field).
UIC head coach Jimmy Collins grew up in Syracuse and played his prep basketball at Corcoran High School. UIC last played in the Carrier Dome during 1998-99, when it competed in the Carrier Classic. The Flames posted a runner-up finish after besting Ohio and losing in the title game to Santa Clara.
The only previous meeting between SU and Illinois-Chicago took place on December 22, 1990, when the Orange registered a 110-66 victory at the Dome.
The Orange will have to compete on the boards against the Flames, who are an excellent rebounding club. UIC has outrebounded its opponents in all 10 of its games this season and owns a +8.9 rebounding margin. Senior Justin Bowen has been the Flames’ go-to guy this season, leading the team in scoring (15.9 ppg), rebounding (8.2 rpg) and field goal percentage (.569).
