University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) men’s basketball player Zach Steinberg has been selected as the male Spotlight of the Month for the month of November.
Steinberg contributed 11.1 points per game and averaged 8.0 rebounds last season. The 6-foot-10 junior center from Wildwood, MO shot a 42.8-percent (110-of-257) clip from the field in 2016-17. Steinberg blocked 17 shots and also sank 70 free throws. Among UIS Division II single-season leaders, Steinberg ranks second in rebounds (217), second in defensive rebounds (148), third in offensive rebounds (69), is tied for sixth in blocks and is tied for 10th in free throws made.
On Dec. 6 of last season, Steinberg recorded 25 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks against Governors State University. Steinberg put together single-game team highs in rebounds and free throws made (11) for the season. He also collected 15 rebounds and drained 10-of-15 (66.7 percent) shots from the floor against Robert Morris University-Springfield on Nov. 16, 2016.
During the 2016-17 season, the Prairie Stars finished with a 9-18 overall record and 4-14 conference record. UIS took seventh place in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) East Division last season. This year, the GLVC contracted to 15 teams, resulting in the move to a three-division format. The Prairie Stars were tabbed to finish third in the GLVC Central Division while receiving three first-place votes.
So far this season, Steinberg averages 8.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. Steinberg ranks 13th in the GLVC with 1.8 offensive rebounds per game. The Prairie Stars are currently 4-2 on the season, following a 104-47 win over Robert Morris University-Springfield (2-4) last Tuesday and a 76-62 win over MacMurray College (1-2) last Saturday. After trailing UIS 58-57 with 3 minutes, 15 seconds remaining, NCAA Division I's Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (2-2) survived the Prairie Stars with a 69-64 win during an exhibition on Nov. 18.
Among UIS Division II career leaders, Steinberg ranks third in rebounds (406), third in offensive rebounds (126), third in defensive rebounds (280), third in blocks (31), seventh in points (583), seventh in field goals made (214) and 10th in free throws made (116).
The Prairie Stars close out their five-game home stand by hosting Lindenwood University-Belleviile (2-5) on Monday at 7 p.m. in TRAC. UIS kicks off the GLVC season by taking on Missouri S&T (1-4) on Saturday at 3 p.m. in Rolla, MO.
GETTING TO KNOW ZACH STEINBERG
If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be?
Eel
Who is your favorite band/artist?
Sam Smith
Who on the team is best-dressed?
Kaj Days
What is your favorite book?
Cat In The Hat
Who is your celebrity crush?
Brittney Griner
What is your favorite movie?
Kung Fu Panda
What is your secret talent?
I’m the best dancer in the universe
Other than the sport you play, what is your favorite sport?
Volleyball
What is the strangest nickname you have?
Flamingo
Name the most surprising/embarrassing song in your musical library
Do You Want to Build a Snowman? from the Frozen Soundtrack
What is your favorite pizza topping?
Pineapples
What is your favorite TV show?
Bachelor/Bachelorette
What is your major?
Accounting
Who is your inspiration?
My mother, because she is the strongest person I know.
What is your favorite memory at UIS?
My favorite memory was beating Southern Indiana as a freshman.
Why did you choose UIS?
I chose UIS because it has great teammates, a great staff and it felt like home.
