Coming off a year of re-adjustments at UIC the Flames are looking to put themselves in the top third of the conference standings. With newcomer of the year Othyus Jeffers leading the way, the Flames have to be excited about their prospects for the 2006-07 season. After closing the Horizon League regular season with a 6-2 slate last year, the Flames have to feel that with all but one starter returning from a season ago, they can compete with the best in the conference.
Jeffers, a bulky 6’5” swingman, burst on the scene last year averaging better than 11 points and 7.5 rebounds a game. With a year under his belt, Jeffers will contend for first-team all-league honors this season. After going once through the league, Jeffers posted even more impressive numbers in the Flames final eight games, grabbing better than eight rebounds a game and adding nearly 13 points a contest. With some self-proclaimed off-season improvements in his game, Jeffers could contend for player of the year status if the Flames do as well as they expect to.
In the backcourt, Josh Mayo gained tremendous experience starting 26 games as a freshman for the Flames and being named to the league’s all-newcomer squad. Mayo was the club’s top three-point shooter a season ago, hitting better than 35% of his attempts. Junior guard Karl White may be the fastest player in the league but he has yet to live up to expectations. If White can become a more consistent playe,r he gives the Flames an incredible weapon to open up the floor.
Transfer T.J Gray comes from
Western Illinois where he was a two-year starter and hit 43% of his three-point attempts as a sophomore. If he produces as expected, the Flames will have a legitimate three-point threat.
Junior Robert Bush gives the Flames some size in a backcourt with three players under six-feet tall. The 6’4” Bush appeared in 24 games last season, chipping in better than five points a contest.
Up front, the talented but enigmatic senior forward Jovan Stefanov averaged eight points and nearly six rebounds a contest. At 6’9” and 220 pounds, Stefanov has the ability to score inside and outside and also has the talent to put the ball on the floor. Stefanov never has quite performed consistently; there is no reason for him not to average better than 12 or 13 points a game with his size and agility. Entering his fifth season at UIC, Stefanov will be counted on to provide both consistent scoring and leadership for the Flames.
Senior forward Danijel Zoric appeared in all 31 games last season averaging nearly seven points and four rebounds. With the loss of Justin Bowen’s 15 points and seven rebounds per contest Zoric will be among several Flames players that will have to step up for the Flames to compete. Zoric turned it down the stretch last season and was a big reason for the Flames 6-2 finish to the conference season.
Junior Kevin Bond saw action in 29 games last season and gives the Flames some experience coming off the bench. The 6’5” forward shot better than 34% on three-pointers a season ago.
Sophomore center Scott VanderMeer brings a huge 6’11” 250 pound frame to the paint for UIC. Though not particularly a threat on the offensive end, his ability to alter opponents shots will greatly help the Flames defense.
Junior college transfer Jermaine Dailey will give the impressive-looking Flames frontcourt depth with his 6’7” frame. Red-Shirt Freshman Jovan Ignjatovic at 6’9” and 230 pounds will also add some size for the Flames.
With all but one starter returning from a season ago and a 6-2 run to end the regular season last year, the Flames are certainly in a position to compete for the league crown. Surprisingly though, UIC was voted to finish fourth in the pre-season poll with no first place votes. With few expectations and a wealth of talent the Flames will surprise some people this season.
--Joe Dlugosz is the editor of Ramblermania.com, a website dedicated to Loyola-Chicago sports information. For more of Joe's writing, visit: www.ramblermania.com --ed.
