Excited With a Chip
(St. Louis, MO) – Illinois Chicago has joined the Missouri Valley Conference and coach Luke Yaklich and his players are excited, with a chip on their shoulder. After competing in the Horizon League the Flames are following the Loyola Chicago growth path and hoping for similar long term results.
As one of the three teams joining the Valley, ‘Coach Yak’ and his players are aware that people are thinking about BELMONT, MURRAY STATE … and Illinois Chicago. He and they are aware they have something to prove. The Flames were 14-16 last season and 9-10 in Horizon play.
Yaklich is back in the Valley after assisting at Illinois State and is fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead in the MVC. Returners Jace Carter and Filip Skobalj lead a group that includes three Division 1 transfers.
(Click here to see our spring interview with Coach Yaklich)
Carter sees himself as a top shelf defender and carries himself with a fun kind of confidence. Valley fans will enjoy is swagger and joy in playing. Both Carter and Skobalj speak about the importance of the relational coaching style Yaklich employs.
While Shaun Williams, Tre Anderson and Toby Okani are D1 transfers, Yaklich’s roster has numerous first year players. Cameron Fens, Jalen Jackson, Steven Clay, Jaden Brownell and Christian Jones are freshmen with high ceilings.
UIC feels fortunate to be joining the Valley. They are excited with a chip.
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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
