The University of Illinois Springfield men's basketball team will return to TRAC for their last home weekend of the 2023-24 season. The Prairie Stars play Lewis on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. UIS welcomes the Indianapolis Greyhounds on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. to celebrate Senior Day. 

UIS (16-9, 9-6)

The Prairie Stars lost two close games last weekend while on the road. UIS is currently in 7th place in the GLVC Men's Basketball Point Rating System Rankings with an average rating of 3.30 points. 

On Thursday night the Prairie Stars battled UMSL in a low-scoring affair in St. Louis. UMSL held the lead for the majority of the game, but UIS kept the score close as the time wound down. Two free-throws from the Tritons gave them a slim lead, but Jordan Rice tied it on a jumper. UMSL took the lead back on a layup with 21 seconds left. Jordan Rice had a chance to win it, but saw his game-winning three roll off the rim agonizingly. The Tritons get a big 64-62 in their chase for a GLVC Tournament spot.

On Saturday night the Prairie Stars played McKendree in a crazy triple overtime contest in Lebanon. The game featured 21 lead changes and 19 times where the two teams were tied. The Stars shot over 56% in the game, but a 41 point game from McKendree's Milos Vicentic led the Bearcats to the 121-116 win in 3OT. 

The Prairie Stars have been extremely tough to beat at home this season, with a 10-2 record in that span. UIS is averaging 81.6 points per game on 51.5% shooting. The Stars are holding opponents to 72.9 points per game on 45.1% shooting. UIS is second in the GLVC in scoring with 81.6 points per game. The Prairie Stars lead the conference in point margin with +8.8, team field goal percentage, and team three-point percentage at 41.7%. UIS is 5-5 in their last 10 games. 

 

Jacob Hanna            14.8 pts/ 7.4 reb/ 3.2 ast/ 1.5 stl

Jordan Rice            14.8 pts/ 2.7 reb/ 5.0 ast/ 1.4 stl

Jack Weber            12.7 pts/ 4.4 reb/ 2.8 ast

Max Kunnert            11.6 pts/ 3.6 reb/ 1.6 ast

 

Lewis (12-10, 8-6)

The Flyers went 1-1 in their home games last weekend. Lewis sits in 5th in the GLVC Men's Basketball Point Rating System Rankings with an average rating of 3.43 points.

Lewis played Truman State on Thursday night in a battle between two conference tournament bound teams. Lewis controlled the contest for the majority of the time, but Truman State refused to go down easily. A hectic last five minutes ended with TSU hitting the go-ahead three with less than thirty seconds left. The Flyers had a chance to win it themselves but missed their last second attempt as Truman won 60-59.

On Saturday afternoon the Flyers faced off against the Peacocks from Upper Iowa in a matchup between some of the top teams in the GLVC. Once again, Lewis jumped out to an early lead behind some hot shooting. UIU mounted a comeback of their own, cutting the Flyer lead down to one in the second half. Lewis was able to stretch the lead again and ran away with the win, 93-76. All five of the Lewis starters reached double figures in scoring in the win. 

The Flyers only have a 2-7 record on their travels this year. Lewis is scoring an average of 76.2 points per game on 48.5% shooting. The Flyers allow opponents to score 74.3 points per game on 44.5% shooting. Lewis averages 34.3 rebounds and 13.23 assists per game. The Flyers are 5-5 in their last 10 games. 

 

Beau Frericks            16.6 pts/ 3.2 reb/ 2.4 ast

Gary Solomon            11.4 pts/ 5.3 reb/ 1.8 ast/ 1.0 stl

Jamere Hill            9.9 pts/ 3.6 reb/ 2.7 ast

Ryan Renfro            9.6 pts/ 7.3 reb/ 2.3 ast

 

Indianapolis (15-7, 11-3)

The Greyhounds went 1-1 with both games at home last weekend. Indianapolis is at the top of the conference in the Men's Basketball Point Rating System Rankings with an average rating of 4.07 points.

Indianapolis played Upper Iowa on Thursday night at Nicoson Hall. In a high scoring affair, the Greyhounds were able to pull out a win in a game featuring the top two seeds in the GLVC standings. The Greyhounds shot 60% from the field and had six players finish with double-digit points. The 93-80 win gave UIndy breathing room as they chase another regular season GLVC title. 

On Saturday afternoon the Greyhounds took on the upstart Bulldogs from Truman State. TSU continued their amazing run as they scored 52 first half points behind 61% shooting from the field. The lead was cut into by the Greyhounds, but Truman wouldn't let UIndy get close enough to make it interesting. Truman left Indianapolis with an 85-76 victory.

The Greyhounds have a 7-3 record in road contests this season. UIndy averages 74.6 points per game on 44.9% shooting. Indianapolis only allows opponents to score 65.8 points per game on 39.9% shooting. UIndy leads the GLVC with the best defense in opponent points per game, field goal percentage, and winning margin (+8.8). UIndy also leads the conference in blocked shots per game with 5.0. The Greyhounds average 38.0 rebounds and 12.50 assists per game. UIndy is 7-3 in their last 10 contests. 

 

Jesse Bingham            14.7 pts/ 3.8 reb/ 2.4 ast/ 1.5 stl/ 1.5 blk

Paul Zilinskas            12.5 pts/ 3.0 reb/ 2.4 ast/ 1.0 stl

Kendrick Tchoua        11.9 pts/ 6.9 reb

Jarvis Walker            9.6 pts/ 1.8 reb/ 1.9 ast

David Ejah            8.3 pts/ 6.2 reb/ 1.1 ast/ 1.2 blk

  
Up Next

UIS continues their conference schedule with two long away trips next weekend against Truman State and Upper Iowa.