Preview: DePaul at Illinois-Chicago
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[December 09, 2017]
DePaul looks to climb over .500
on the season and win its fourth straight when it visits
Illinois-Chicago on Saturday afternoon in a non-conference
crosstown-rivalry contest. The Blue Demons have followed a
three-game losing skid with a trio of victories in which they've
scored at least 80 points in each, while the Flames are looking for
their second straight win after beating Wisconsin-Parkside on
Wednesday.
Guard Max Strus leads four double-figure scorers for the Blue
Demons, scoring 14.4 points per contest and connecting on 19
3-pointers this season. Fellow guard Eli Cain adds 13.1 points and a
team-best 3 assists per game, while Marin Maric (12.5 points, 5.5
rebounds), a graduate transfer from Northern Illinois, has rounded
into a solid contributor. Forward Dikembe Dixson leads a very
balanced UIC attack, averaging 13 points, while four teammates are
averaging between 9.0 and 10.9 points. Guard Marcus Ottey has
provided a spark off the bench for coach Steve McClain, averaging
10.9 points and grabbing a career-high nine boards against
Wisconsin-Parkside.
TV: 4 p.m. ET, ESPN3
ABOUT DEPAUL (4-4): The Blue Demons have shown their depth of late,
but they may need it more than ever after the ankle injury suffered
by point guard Devin Gage in Wednesday's win over Central
Connecticut State. Gage left the game just three minutes into the
contest and didn't return, with coach Dave Leitao unsure of Gage's
status going forward after the game. With Gage out, freshman Justin
Roberts played 28 minutes, finishing with six points and five
assists, and with a quick turnaround time between games, Roberts
could see that same kind of time against the Flames.
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ABOUT ILLINOIS-CHICAGO (3-5): The Flames may be struggling a bit
this season, but with a sophomore class that is scoring 73.8 percent
of the team's points thus far, the future is certainly bright.
McClain has been leaning on his second-year players too, as they
comprised four-fifths of his starting lineup against
Wisconsin-Parkside and all six of the sophomores are averaging over
20 minutes per contest. With just two seniors and one junior on the
roster, there is plenty of room for growth, and McClain is hoping to
see that improvement throughout this season and not just wait for
future seasons.
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TIP-INS
1. DePaul had five players score in double figures against Central
Connecticut State, the second straight game the team has
accomplished that feat.
2. UIC F/C Tai Odiase is tied for the most blocks in school history
with 273 after blocking a season-high seven shots against
Wisconsin-Parkside.
3. The Blue Demons are averaging just 11 turnovers per contest and
have had fewer turnovers than their opponent in all eight games this
season.
PREDICTION: DePaul 82, Illinois-Chicago 72
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