The UIC Flames blaze into Cincinnati to challenge the Bearcats in a season opener that promises fireworks. With last season’s struggles in the rearview, these teams are ready to move forward. Both teams look to get to 1-0 and get off on the right foot. The Fifth Third Arena will be ablaze come Monday night as these two teams clash on the hardwood in non-conference action.

Illinois Chicago Flames: Poised for a Breakout Season with a Revamped Roster and Fresh Game Plan

In the 2022-23 season, the Illinois Chicago Flames posted a 12-20 overall record and a 4-16 standing in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC). Despite the numbers, the Flames are a team on the rise, and head coach Luke Yaklich has the pieces in place to reignite the squad for the 2023-24 campaign.

Key returnees include senior guard Toby Okani and junior forward Filip Skobalj. Okani, a 6’8″ enforcer, averaged 11.0 points per game and was fifth in the Valley for rebounds with 7.1 per game. Skobalj, the 6 ‘7 Serbian native, brings shooting accuracy from deep, converting at a 36.5 percent clip last year. After a slow start last season, he found his groove and started in 19 out of 32 games.

Sophomores CJ Jones, Jaden Brownell, Steven Clay and Cameron Fens are the young guns to watch. Jones led this quartet in playing time last season and averaged 6.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. All four have suitable sizes for their positions and started multiple games last season, showing their potential.

The Flames have also added firepower with key transfers Marquise Kennedy from Loyola Chicago, Drew King from Houston Christian and Isaiah Rivera from Colorado State. Each guard averaged 7.5 points or more at their previous schools and brought a versatility that the Flames desperately needed. Kennedy, in particular, brings leadership and Valley experience, making him a crucial addition to the roster.

Rebounding was a glaring issue for the Flames last year, and the frontcourt will need Brownell and Fens in particular to assist Okani in this area to be competitive.

Yaklich’s recent addition of former Redbird defensive stalwart Tony Wills to the coaching staff has already pumped some grit into the Flames’ defensive practices. The Flames will look to improve their defensive field goal percentage allowed, which has been a weakness.

The main challenge will be blending the new and returning talents into a cohesive unit. If Yaklich can pull this off, the Flames are poised to rise from the ashes of last season’s struggles and become a legitimate threat in the MVC.

With the 2023-24 season looming, the Illinois Chicago Flames are a team to watch. The playbook is set, the lineup is revamped, and the Flames are hungry for a turnaround. The court will be the ultimate decider but don’t be surprised if the Flames start turning heads sooner rather than later.

Navigating the Big 12 Gauntlet: Cincinnati Bearcats’ Hopes and Hurdles for the 2023-2024 Season

The Cincinnati Bearcats men’s basketball team faces a transitional 2023-2024 season after finishing with a 23-13 record last year. Head coach Wes Miller, boasting a 41-28 record at Cincinnati, aims to steer this ship through the stormy waters of the Big 12, where they are ranked 12th in preseason polls in their first season.

The departures of guards Landers Nolley II and David DeJulius leave a significant scoring void; the duo combined for over 31 points per game. Nolley was also a force on the boards, pulling down 5.8 rebounds per game, while DeJulius was the court general, dishing out 5.3 assists. Mika Adams-Woods (St. Bonaventure) and Jeremiah Davenport (Arkansas), both essential cogs, have also excelled, taking an additional 18.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game away from the backcourt of the Bearcats that will need to be filled.

However, Cincinnati is far from barren. Viktor Lakhin returns to anchor the frontcourt. A junior forward, Lakhin averaged 11.6 points and 7.1 rebounds last season. He’s a double-double threat every night. Senior forward Ody Oguama and sophomore guard Dan Skillings Jr. will also be critical pieces, contributing solid numbers last season.

New blood could be the X-factor. Transfers seniors forward Aziz Bandaogo and guard CJ Fredrick bring much-needed experience, while freshmen guard/forward Rayvon Griffith and guard Jizzle James infuse young energy. Forwards John Newman III and Jamille Reynolds, seasoned seniors, could be game-changers with their diverse skill sets.

Statistically speaking, the Bearcats are a balanced squad. They averaged 77.1 points per game, ranking 54th nationally. On the flip side, they allowed 69.3 points, a figure they’ll aim to improve. The team shot at a 44.8 percent clip from the field, while their defense limited opponents to 42.7 percent shooting. Three-pointers were a strong suit, with an average of 8.7 triples per game.

Looking ahead, another NIT appearance seems likely, but don’t count out an NCAA Tournament run. With a robust recruiting class and the return of key players, the Bearcats have a fighting chance to claw their way up the Big 12 rankings. Their performance will hinge on how well the new and returning talents mesh and if Coach Miller can get his defense to step up its game. In a conference as competitive as the Big 12, Cincinnati can’t afford to drop the ball.

David’s Pick – Cincinnati Bearcats (-14.5)

Let’s cut to the chase: the Cincinnati Bearcats have the edge. While the Illinois Chicago Flames are on the upswing, their 12-20 record last season and 4-16 MVC standing can’t hold a candle to Cincinnati’s 23-13 finish. The Bearcats are no slouches; they averaged 77.1 points per game, ranking 54th nationally. On defense, they’ve got grit, holding opponents to 42.7 percent shooting. Viktor Lakhin, a double-double threat, returns to anchor a frontcourt that means business. Although the Flames have promising additions, the Bearcats’ new blood, like Aziz Bandaogo and CJ Fredrick, bring experience to an already seasoned lineup. In the dog-eat-dog world of the Big 12, count on the Bearcats to claw their way to victory.