Red vs. Blue Scrimmage offers first look at men’s basketball
Senior Marc Brown returns to the Flames this season. Get a sneak preview of this year’s team at the annual Red/Blue Scrimmage Friday at the Flames Athletic Center. Photo: Steve Woltmann
Fans can get their first look at the men’s basketball team at the annual Red vs. Blue Scrimmage Friday night. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. with the scrimmage set to begin at 6 p.m. at the Flames Athletic Center.
The free event features a dunk contest, three-point shooting competition and a scrimmage that consists of two 20-minute halves. Fans will receive free pizza after the event.
Head coach Howard Moore welcomes six newcomers to the 2014-15 men’s basketball team, including four transfer players: Jay Harris (6-1, senior, guard / Wagner), Jason McClellan (6-9, junior, forward / Eastern Wyoming College), D’Juan Miller (5-8, junior, guard / Eastern Arizona College), Paris Burns (5-11, junior, guard / Vincennes), Tai Odiase (6-9, freshman, forward/center / Homewood Flossmoor) and David Ramon (6-7, freshman, forward / Madrid, Spain).
The Flames kick off the season with an exhibition game at 7 p.m. Nov. 6 versus Beloit at the UIC Pavilion. Road contests at Dayton, SMU, DePaul and Northwestern — and a home game against Central Florida — are included on the nonconference schedule for men’s basketball this season.
“We have a very challenging nonconference schedule and that’s exactly how our staff designed it,” said head coach Howard Moore in announcing the schedule June 25.
“The only way to prepare for the everyday battles of the Horizon League is to play high-quality opponents during the non-league season. I’m excited for our fans to see this year’s team compete against some of the nation’s top programs.”
For its Nov. 14 season opener, UIC battles city-rival DePaul. The contest — the teams’ first meeting since December 2009 — will be played at McGrath-Phillips Arena on DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus.
The Flames kick off their home schedule Nov. 17 against Western Illinois. UIC dropped its most recent outing versus the Leathernecks in 2012, but won the previous 10 matches dating back to 1991. UIC’s 16-game Horizon League slate begins Jan. 2, when the team hosts Youngstown State at the Pavilion.
“This will be one of the most competitive years in the Horizon League,” Moore said. “Top to bottom, this is a very strong conference with several talented players. It’s always nice to start the season at home, but in this league it doesn’t matter where you play. Each game is going to be a dog fight.”
Tickets, which are free for students with i-card, can be purchased through UICFlames.com or by calling the UIC ticket office at 312-413-UIC1.
