UIC Coach Luke Yaklich @ MVC Media Day

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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