I really like this play for several reasons:
1) UIC has impressed me this year with their play, generally speaking. On the road, they have hung tough at tough venues Southern Illinois, Purdue, and South Florida, all OK or better teams, and all teams certainly, substantially better than tonight's opponent.
2) The home loss Saturday vs Cleveland State should surely get UIC's attention, guaranteeing a likely big effort here with several days to stew about that loss.
3) On the other side, WI-Green Bay is just flat out a bad team. With an RPI of 299 and a record of 3-9 against a strength of schedule 292, that alone shows where this team currently is. Their only wins are at home vs the dregs of the NCAA -- Lipscomb, E Mich, and Chicago State. Home losses to UMKC, N Iowa, and Boston U show this isn't the toughest venue to play in.
4) Overall, as well, with UWGB, is the coach, who is dead coach walking. A new AD just hired is certain to can him, so motivation here, and from here on out, may be a question as well.
I'll predict UIC 75, UWGB 65, as talent and motivation wins out here.
1) UIC has impressed me this year with their play, generally speaking. On the road, they have hung tough at tough venues Southern Illinois, Purdue, and South Florida, all OK or better teams, and all teams certainly, substantially better than tonight's opponent.
2) The home loss Saturday vs Cleveland State should surely get UIC's attention, guaranteeing a likely big effort here with several days to stew about that loss.
3) On the other side, WI-Green Bay is just flat out a bad team. With an RPI of 299 and a record of 3-9 against a strength of schedule 292, that alone shows where this team currently is. Their only wins are at home vs the dregs of the NCAA -- Lipscomb, E Mich, and Chicago State. Home losses to UMKC, N Iowa, and Boston U show this isn't the toughest venue to play in.
4) Overall, as well, with UWGB, is the coach, who is dead coach walking. A new AD just hired is certain to can him, so motivation here, and from here on out, may be a question as well.
I'll predict UIC 75, UWGB 65, as talent and motivation wins out here.
