One-on-One with Rob Ehsan
(St. Louis, MO) – Rob Ehsan’s first season at Illinois Chicago has experienced some ups and downs, but the Flames have taken huge steps forward. Ehsan’s squad may be the deepest in the Valley. Eight players have started five or more games, five average double-figures in scoring and seven play more than twenty minutes per game.
The Flames have embraced a ‘team-first’ mentality. They are second in the Valley in rebounding margin and second in assists. While not the biggest team in the league, they are its top offensive rebounding unit. At 16-12 and a 9-9 conference mark, the Flames split their two games with league-leading Drake and their two with Bradley.
A recent four-game losing streak ended their chances at a top four finish, but Illinois Chicago has rebounded well, winning two of its last three games. While their 8-5 home record isn’t stellar, their 7-5 road mark is solid. Ehsan says they take an ‘us against the world’ mindset with them to those other venues.
UIC’s 16 wins is the program’s most since they secured 18 victories during the 2019-20 campaign. The Flames are tied with Illinois State (17-12, 9-9) for fifth in the Valley race.
Wednesday night they travel to play Northern Iowa. The Panthers (19-10, 13-5) are tied with Bradley for second place. UNI won the first meeting between the two teams (83-56). Both Ehsan and UNI coach Ben Jacobson say each team has changed so much since that early December game that the video from that game won’t teach them much.
Ehsan enjoys his team and their desire to achieve common goals more than individual accolades.
One-on-One with Illinois Chicago coach Rob Ehsan
This is UIC’s first appearance on Gray Media television stations (Matrix Midwest in St. Louis). The five Flames averaging double figures in scoring are Javon Jackson (12.4), Ahmad Henderson II (11.5), Tyem Freeman (10.5), Sasa Ciani (10.2) and Jordan Mason (10.2).
UIC finishes the season with a Sunday home game against Valparaiso.
Wednesday’s tip time is 6:00 pm.
Do Good
Editor: Cover photo of Jordan Mason courtesy of UICFlames.com and A.J. Schraffenberger.
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Flooding, lightning strikes, etc. have cost @RacersHoops two home games. Had to play 'neutral site' tonight instead of at home and Wednesday's goes from home to away. Tough break for the Racers, and the whole area has been hit with difficulties. #FatherHarry
Murray State's scheduled home game Wednesday vs. Southern Illinois being moved to Banterra Center in Carbondale. #ValleyHoops
Gigantic game for @BradleyUMBB today in Des Moines. If they have a chance to catch @DrakeBulldogsMB, they have to win today. The Bulldogs can basically win the title today. @BustingBrackets breaks it all down. #FatherHarry https://bit.ly/3EGiVgi
Not rooting for any particular @ValleyHoops, but chaos is always fun. If things break certain ways, after today there could be a six-way tie for fifth place.
Fun to listen to @MLBLarry on the @SIU_Basketball/@BelmontMBB game tonight. Good job brother. #FatherHarry
