Flames face Illinois, Northwestern next year

“We’re excited to announce these three games that will be some of the highlighted matchups during our nonconference season,” says head coach Howard Moore. Photo: Steve Woltmann

The 2013-14 men’s basketball nonconference season will feature a return match against Northwestern at the UIC Pavilion, a renewed rivalry with Illinois at the United Center and the first of four annual contests against Loyola.

“We’re excited to announce these three games that will be some of the highlighted matchups during our nonconference season,” head coach Howard Moore said.

“It’s great for college basketball in the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois to have these teams competing against each other as regularly as possible.”

Northwestern visits the Pavilion at 7 p.m. Nov. 20. The Flames defeated the Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena in December, UIC’s fourth consecutive win over Northwestern.

After a longstanding Horizon League rivalry, UIC and Loyola will compete in nonconference play. UIC faces the Ramblers, which will join the Missouri Valley Conference, Dec. 7 at Gentile Arena. UIC owns a 31-19 all-time series advantage versus Loyola.

“I thought it was very important for our program to maintain the annual series with Loyola,” Moore said.  “I’ve been on both sides of the rivalry, and there have been some great games over the years.

“It makes sense from a scheduling standpoint, and I know our fans will also be excited to keep the rivalry going.”

UIC faces Illinois at the United Center Dec. 28. The Flames upset the 12th-ranked Illini (57-54) in 2010. The win was the Flames’ biggest victory over a ranked opponent in the program’s history and the first time UIC defeated Illinois since the 1990-91 campaign.