It will be a battle between Horizon opponents when the Milwaukee Panthers (18-12) welcome the UIC Flames (5-23) to UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. Action begins at 3:00 pm ET on Sunday, Feb. 28.
The Panthers were beaten by Valparaiso 80-76 on Friday. Matt Tiby finished with 21 points to lead the team. The Flames, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 85-69 loss against Green Bay on Friday. UIC lost despite the best efforts of Tai Odiase, who recorded his fifth double-double of the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
Odiase has been on a tear over the last five games for the Flames, averaging 12.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 6.0 blocks.
Trips to the foul line may prove key for the Flames in this one. They’re ranked 13th in the nation in FTA rate (44.8), while Milwaukee is among the best at keeping opponents off of the charity stripe (ranking 22nd by allowing a FTA rate of 28.0).
This is the second game of the year between these two teams, with the Panthers winning the first matchup 87-62. Tiby had a standout performance in the victory, putting up 23 points, seven rebounds, one assist, two steals, and one three-pointer.
The Panthers come into this game 18-12 Straight Up (SU) and 15-13-1 Against The Spread (ATS). They have been better ATS (7-2-1) than SU (3-7) over their last 10 games. The Panthers have one of the most prolific offenses in the entire nation, averaging 79.1 points per game. Milwaukee is excellent from the perimeter with 273 three-pointers made (9.0 per game), the 20th-most in the country. Milwaukee is one of the best passing teams in the nation with an average of 17.0 assists per game. Milwaukee is very careful and attentive with the ball, averaging the 32nd-fewest turnovers per game at only 10.9.
Across the court, the Flames head into the game with records of 11-15-1 ATS and 5-23 SU. During the last 10 games, they averaged 80.6 PPG, above their 67.5 PPG season average. UIC is one of the better rebounding teams in Division I. The Flames average 41.3 rebounds per game, making them the 14th-best team in the country for that category.
Following the Panthers’ latest win over UIC, their SU record is now 8-2 over UIC in their most recent games. Additionally, with a 6-4 record, Milwaukee has the advantage ATS. Both Milwaukee and UIC have led in three key areas (field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers) once over the last five matchups.
Predictions: SU Winner – UW-Mil, ATS Winner – UW-Mil
Notes
Milwaukee averages 79.1 points per game (ranked 40th). UIC, on the other hand, allows 77.7 points per game (ranked 230th).
Ranked 26th, the Milwaukee Panthers have an offensive rating of 114.5. The UIC Flames rank 195th with a defensive rating of just 106.6.
The Milwaukee Panthers average a field goal percentage of 45.7% this season. The UIC Flames are a winless 0-9 when opponents have a FG% of 45.7% or greater.
The Milwaukee Panthers rank lower for their field goal percentage (93rd) than they do for their effective field goal percentage (44th), but the UIC Flames have a better FG% ranking (339th) than eFG% ranking (350th).
Ranked 14th in the nation, Milwaukee has an average of 17.0 assists per game. UIC ranks lower at 288th with 11.8.
UIC, the 19th-ranked team in blocked shots, registers an average of 5.4 per game. Milwaukee ranks lower at 282nd with 2.5.
Milwaukee ranks 254th in offensive rebounds, while UIC ranks 44th in defensive rebounds.
The UIC Flames average 5.6 steals per game. When giving up 5 or more steals, the Milwaukee Panthers are an even 9-9 this season.
