Go Flames!

Get excited for Flames basketball season!

The men’s basketball team will begin its exhibition games against Lake Forest at 3 p.m. Saturday at the UIC Pavilion. We have a new head coach, Steve McClain, who brings 33 years of collegiate coaching experience, including nine as an NCAA Division 1 head coach of the Wyoming Cowboys, where he had a .583-winning percentage and a record of 140-100. He also has wins against Top 25-ranked schools. Most recently, he was an assistant coach under Tom Crean for the Indiana Hoosiers. With a new attitude and culture from the head coach, this season should provide some entertaining games at the Pavilion.

Speaking of the Pavilion, the UIC Flames start the season Friday, Nov. 13, hosting the San Francisco Dons. Doors open at 7 p.m. and this one should be good knowing that it’s the first meeting between both programs.

I’m also anxious to see the women’s basketball team play this season. They began their playing exhibition games Nov. 2 against Roosevelt, where they cruised to a 99-47 win. The women begin their season Nov. 13 against Howard and we have the Horizon League Preseason player of the year in senior forward Ruvanna Campbell (12) and the UIC women’s basketball single season assist record holder in senior guard Terri Bender (10).

But I had to save the best for last. The men’s soccer team is on a roll after clinching its third Horizon League regular season title in a 4-1 win over Belmont. They will end their regular season after they host Cleveland State at 7 p.m. Friday at Flames Field. Then they prepare for the playoffs, which start Nov. 12. UIC features the Horizon League Player of the Week, sophomore Forward Jorge Alvarez (11). Don’t confuse him with his twin brother, midfielder Marco Alvarez (4).

Matthew Maggit is a sophomore in accounting in the College of Business Administration. Matthew decided to come to UIC because of the business program’s reputation and because he wanted to study at a campus with a diverse atmosphere. He likes how close the campus is to downtown Chicago and the Willis Tower. In his free time, he loves to surround myself with loved ones, and he enjoys sports and going to the gym.