Contrasting Styles when UIC Plays Murray State

Arch Madness Quarterfinal Action

(St. Louis, MO) – The only Missouri Valley Conference Tournament quarterfinal game that is already set, is contrast of styles when UIC plays Murray State. The fourth seeded Racers love to push the pace and the Flames are more methodical.

Kenpom.com reports the Racers play at the fastest pace in the Valley and UIC is ninth.

Murray State’s start to the season was as good as any in the country and the fifth seeded Illinois Chicago team started slowly, but are surging toward the finish line. While neither team shoots the three-ball very well, the Racers launch over 26 per game (second most in the Valley) and the Flames take the league-lowest number of less than 19.

UIC hangs its hat on defense and rebounding and the Racers struggle on that end of the floor.

Rob Ehsan’s team is third in scoring defense (67.7 ppg), and lead the league in defensive field goal percentage (.422), rebound margin (+3.75) and in steals (8.2 per game). The Racers are allowing a league worst 80.1 points per game, but are second in scoring, netting 79.7 points per contest.

Key Racers When UIC plays Murray State

There are big questions around the health of Murray State. A calf-strain has held point guard Layne Taylor out of recent action and Brock Vice sat out the Racers’ last game with a concussion.

Ryan Miller’s floor leader, Taylor has the Valley’s second best ‘assist-turnover ratio (2.78) and is tied for the team lead in three-point baskets (29).

The Missouri Valley Conference has been dropping postseason honors on center Fred King and freshman Roman Domon. King is a 6’9 post player, leading the Valley in rebounds and blocked shots. He was named to the MVC’s all-conference team and the league’s all-newcomer team.

King racked up double-doubles in each of Murray’s games with UIC. Head coach Ryan Miller says the Flames’ switching defenses provides King with opportunities to exploit mismatches.

 

Domon racks up honors like he does free throw opportunities. The French freshman is a third-team, all-conference player, landed on the all-freshman team and was honored as the MVC’s ‘Sixth Man of the Year’. He leads the conference with 145 free throw attempts.

If Taylor is missing in this quarterfinal match, K.J. Tenner becomes one of the keys to Racers’ success. The 6’ sophomore is an outstanding defender and his offensive game is growing. After reaching double-figures in scoring just three times during the Racers’ first 25 games, he has now turned the trick three times in the last six outings. Twice, he’s reached the twenty-point mark.

Key Flames When UIC Plays Murray State

Rob Ehsan’s team is deep and most of his players are interchangeable. The key contributor is Elijah Crawford. He was named the MVC’s all-conference second team and to the all-newcomer teams on Wednesday.

The 6’2 BYU transfer radically changed the Flames’ fortunes. UIC lost nine of twelve games without him and went 14-5 with him in the lineup.

Crawford makes UIC one of the most dangerous teams competing at Arch Madness.

Ehsan says Crawford is a great passer and is a fierce competitor.

 

Freshman Andy Johnson landed on the Valley’s all-rookie team and he and backcourt mate Ahmad Henderson II rarely miss a free throw. They are UIC’s second and third leading scorers.

Freshman Rashund Washington scored 22 points against Murray in their most recent meeting.

Ehsan’s team is overmatched in the height category. They make up for their size disadvantage with swarming defense, rabid rebounding outstanding free throw shooting.

There are multiple ways to enjoy this game. Tip time is 2:30 pm. While there are tickets available and the game can be seen on MVC TV and ESPN+. You can hear the game in St. Louis on ‘The Big 550 – KTRS’.

Do Good

 

Editor: Cover photo of Elijah Crawford, courtesy of uicflames.com.