Horizon foes will lock horns when the Green Bay Phoenix (18-11) square off against the UIC Flames (5-22) at Resch Center. Action starts at 8:00 pm ET on Friday, Feb. 26 and will air on ES3.
The Phoenix defeated Cleveland State 78-61 on Monday. Carrington Love had 15 points, seven steals, and five assists for Green Bay. The Flames are coming off a 74-63 loss against Oakland on Sunday. Najeal Young had a good game for UIC, recording seven points, 10 rebounds, and three steals.
Charles Cooper has been playing at a high level as of late for the Phoenix, averaging 19.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 steal over the last five games. On the other side, the Flames have been led by Tai Odiase. He has been hot, averaging 13.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, 0.6 steals, and 6.8 blocks in the same time frame.
The Phoenix should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. They rank 20th in the nation at avoiding errors (TO% of 15.6%). Meanwhile, UIC forces the 43rd-fewest turnovers in the nation (15.9%). It could also be a sloppy game for the offense of the Flames, which ranks 289th in ball security (TO% of 20.5%). They’ll be going up against the gambling defense of the Phoenix, which forces the 27th-most turnovers in the nation (21.8%).
This is the second game of the year between these two teams, with the Phoenix winning the first matchup 78-76. Jordan Fouse had a stellar game with 10 points, seven rebounds, six assists, one steal, five blocks, and one three-pointer.
The Phoenix have gone 18-11 Straight Up (SU) and 16-10-1 Against The Spread (ATS). They have been better ATS (7-3) than SU (3-7) over their last 10 games. The Phoenix have no trouble scoring as they rank third in the nation in offense with 85.6 points per game. Green Bay has gotten to the free throw line often this season. They average 18 made free throws per game, which is 13th-best in Division I. Green Bay is known to control the offensive glass, where it racks up an impressive 12.8 offensive rebounds per game. Crossing over to the defensive side of the court, the Phoenix are second in the country in steals with 9.9 per game.
In the other locker room, the Flames have 5-22 SU and 11-15 ATS records. UIC has been playing better lately, averaging 88.3 PPG, significantly more than their season average of 67.5. The Flames are a force on the offensive glass, grabbing an average of 13.9 offensive rebounds per game. The last 10 games have really brought the worst out of the Flames on the defensive end. They allowed 88.6 points per game during that span, which is higher than their season average of 77.4. When it comes to defending the rim, the Flames are one of the best in the nation with an average of 5.4 blocks per game.
In their previous meeting this season, Green Bay beat UIC, bumping its SU record to 9-1 over UIC in their most recent meetings. With a 7-3 record, the Flames have the advantage ATS. Green Bay held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers once, while UIC was never able to do so in their most recent five games.
Predictions: SU Winner – GB, ATS Winner – GB
Notes
Green Bay is one of the top-scoring teams, averaging 85.6 points per game (ranked third). UIC, on the other hand, allows 77.4 points per game (ranked 227th).
Ranked 93rd, the Green Bay Phoenix have an offensive rating of 109.6. The UIC Flames rank 248th with a defensive rating of just 106.5.
The Green Bay Phoenix average a field goal percentage of 45.5% this season. The UIC Flames have an underachieving record of 1-11 when opponents have a FG% of 45.5% or greater.
The Green Bay Phoenix and the UIC Flames both rank higher in average field goal percentage when compared to their effective field goal percentages. Green Bay is 144th and 102nd in the nation for eFG% and FG% respectively, while UIC ranks 349th and 339th in these categories.
Green Bay ranks 100th in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.19. UIC is ranked lower at 319th with an A/TO of .80.
UIC, the 10th-ranked team in rebounding, registers an average of 41.6 rebounds per game. Green Bay ranks 66th with 38.6.
When it comes to offensive rebounds, UIC ranks 14th. Green Bay ranks 139th in defensive rebounds.
Green Bay has forced an average turnover percentage of 21.8% this season. UIC has a subpar 1-10 record when its TO% is 21.8% or higher.
