For Northwestern and Illinois-Chicago, their matchup tonight at Welsh-Ryan Arena isn't just another game.
NU coach Bill Carmody and UIC coach Jimmy Collins recognize the importance of games that pit local teams against each other and have tried to schedule a number of them to generate interest in college basketball and provide a fun twist for fans.
And even the players who didn't grow up in the Chicago area understand there is something special about an opportunity to play another local team. Montreal native and NU guard Mohamed Hachad, for example, has lost twice to UIC during his college career and wants a victory before he graduates.
Plus, the matchup provides another opportunity for the coaches to assess their teams, which have had mixed results. Carmody still is waiting to see what sort of identity the Wildcats will take on this season, while Collins hopes to see a consistent intensity level from the Flames.
Northwestern will be playing its first game since center Mike Thompson left the team, but the Wildcats already have played four straight games without him and Thompson played in only 13 games last season. Carmody expects to start Kentucky transfer Bernard Cote, who is feeling better after suffering back spasms, at center tonight.
Forward Vedran Vukusic leads the Big Ten with 23.6 points per game, but the Wildcats need others to step up and score.
"Vukusic has been great for us,'' Hachad said. "Other teams realize this and are putting an emphasis on double-teaming him and limiting his shooting. How this team goes is going to depend on how much other people contribute.''
Carmody thinks Cote can be a scoring threat when he's healthy and would love to see freshman guard Craig Moore make more shots, too. But when asked about a second scoring option, the first name Carmody mentioned was Hachad, who scored a season-high 17 points against Delaware State after totaling 14 points in the previous three games.
"He seems more confident,'' Carmody said. "I don't know why he's such a slow starter. I have to give him a longer leash and quit worrying about him making mistakes. We're not going to win without him.''
UIC has victories against Georgia Tech and Mississippi but has lost to St. Xavier and Chicago State. Collins expected some ups and downs as he incorporates new players into the lineup, but he is troubled by the struggles against lesser-known teams.
"Attitude is the source of winning,'' Collins said. "Guys have to know they have to reach a certain intensity level regardless of who you're playing.''
Collins expects the Flames to slow their pace tonight. He doesn't want them tiring themselves out while Northwestern plays with patience and conserves its energy. He also doesn't want to see another emotional letdown.
"Northwestern's a smart and experienced team,'' Collins said. "Vukusic is nothing short of a pro. They have Mohamed, some of the guys we've played against before. We know we're going to have to play well to make it a good contest.''
NU coach Bill Carmody and UIC coach Jimmy Collins recognize the importance of games that pit local teams against each other and have tried to schedule a number of them to generate interest in college basketball and provide a fun twist for fans.
And even the players who didn't grow up in the Chicago area understand there is something special about an opportunity to play another local team. Montreal native and NU guard Mohamed Hachad, for example, has lost twice to UIC during his college career and wants a victory before he graduates.
Plus, the matchup provides another opportunity for the coaches to assess their teams, which have had mixed results. Carmody still is waiting to see what sort of identity the Wildcats will take on this season, while Collins hopes to see a consistent intensity level from the Flames.
Northwestern will be playing its first game since center Mike Thompson left the team, but the Wildcats already have played four straight games without him and Thompson played in only 13 games last season. Carmody expects to start Kentucky transfer Bernard Cote, who is feeling better after suffering back spasms, at center tonight.
Forward Vedran Vukusic leads the Big Ten with 23.6 points per game, but the Wildcats need others to step up and score.
"Vukusic has been great for us,'' Hachad said. "Other teams realize this and are putting an emphasis on double-teaming him and limiting his shooting. How this team goes is going to depend on how much other people contribute.''
Carmody thinks Cote can be a scoring threat when he's healthy and would love to see freshman guard Craig Moore make more shots, too. But when asked about a second scoring option, the first name Carmody mentioned was Hachad, who scored a season-high 17 points against Delaware State after totaling 14 points in the previous three games.
"He seems more confident,'' Carmody said. "I don't know why he's such a slow starter. I have to give him a longer leash and quit worrying about him making mistakes. We're not going to win without him.''
UIC has victories against Georgia Tech and Mississippi but has lost to St. Xavier and Chicago State. Collins expected some ups and downs as he incorporates new players into the lineup, but he is troubled by the struggles against lesser-known teams.
"Attitude is the source of winning,'' Collins said. "Guys have to know they have to reach a certain intensity level regardless of who you're playing.''
Collins expects the Flames to slow their pace tonight. He doesn't want them tiring themselves out while Northwestern plays with patience and conserves its energy. He also doesn't want to see another emotional letdown.
"Northwestern's a smart and experienced team,'' Collins said. "Vukusic is nothing short of a pro. They have Mohamed, some of the guys we've played against before. We know we're going to have to play well to make it a good contest.''
