Gameday Central – UIC
DETROIT (1/6/2016) -- The University of Detroit Mercy men's basketball team will try to stay perfect at Calihan Hall and extend its home winning streak as the Titans host UIC on Friday, Jan. 8.
Detroit has a special deal for the game as
ALL TICKETS (subject to seat availability) will be priced at $5. For more information or to order tickets, call 313-993-1700.
The game can be seen nationally on ESPNU and online on ESPN3 and the Watch ESPN App with Jordan Bernfield and Brooke Weisbrod on the call. The Voice of the Titans
Dan Leach will have all the action on the radio on CBS Radio 1270 AM, and live stats will also be available.
The Titans have won six of their last eight and come into the game at 8-5 overall, including 2-0 in the Horizon League, one of three teams in the conference undefeated. UDM is also perfect at home at 8-0 and has won 11 in a row on Dick Vitale Court.
DETROIT VS. UICDetroit leads the all-time series, 29-15, as the Titans have won six of the last seven games and nine of the last 11 meetings against the Flames.
UDM is also 17-5 at home in the series, but UIC was the last team to win in Calihan Hall, 83-73, last season.
ABOUT THE FLAMESUIC is 2-10 on the season with wins over Roosevelt and Purdue Calumet. The Flames have dropped two in a row, including their conference opener at Valparaiso, 75-47.
Dikembe Dixson leads the team in scoring at 13.7 points per game, tops among Horizon League freshmen and seventh in the HL. He also paces the team with 6.6 rebounds.
Dominique Matthews is averaging 9.7 points, while Tai Odiase is tallying 8.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, second in the conference.
The Flames are eighth in the Horizon League in scoring at 66.0 points per game and are sixth in defense allowing 75.9 points. UIC does lead the conference with 4.8 blocks and is second in rebounding at 41.7.
LOOKING AHEADDetroit will have a quick turnaround as the Titans host defending Horizon League champion Valparaiso on Sunday, Jan. 10. The game will tip at 1:00 p.m., and will be televised on the American Sports Network and ESPN3.
AGAINST THE PRAIRIE STATE Detroit is 133-141 all-time against programs from the state of Illinois, with most of those games against Jesuit rival and former HL foe Loyola (57-64).
OFF TO A QUICK STARTThe Titans are now 2-0 in the Horizon League for the first time since 2012-13 and are looking for a 3-0 start for the first time since the 1998-99 campaign when UDM started 4-0.
PERFECT AT HOMEDetroit is undefeated at home at 8-0 and has won 11 in a row on Dick Vitale Court dating back to last season. In fact, the last team to beat Detroit at home was UIC last year.
POINTS, POINTS, POINTSThe Titans have had a great start to the year offensively as they are 13th in the nation - and second in the HL - in scoring averaging 85.2 points per game (as of Dec. Jan. 6).
The Titans have also scored 90 or more points five times this year, the most since registering 90 or more five times during the 1991-92 campaign.
OFFENSIVE ATTACKDetroit has scored at least 75 points in 10 of its 13 games, including 88 or more seven times and 90 or more on five occasions.
UDM has also made at least 30 field goals six times this season and has posted 39 twice on the year (UM-Dearborn, at Oral Roberts).
The Titans are currently leading the Horizon League in shooting at 45.8 percent on the year.
Against UM-Dearborn, the Titans were 39-of-68 from the field (57.4%), including 15-of-27 (55.6%) from behind the arc.
In the win over Toledo, Detroit shot 49.1 percent (27-of-55) from the field and 48.1 percent (13-of-27) from three, while in the win over Bowling Green, the Titans shot 47.1 percent (32-of-68) with 13 triples.
In the win over UCF, the Titans shot 51.7 percent (30-of-58), while in the triumph over Youngstown State, UDM was 33-of-69 (47.8%) and 25-of-29 (86.2%) at the line.
The last time out against Cleveland State, Detroit shot 45.8 percent (27-of-59) and was 28-of-42 at the free throw line.
WHO WILL SCORE?Detroit has had five different Titans lead the team in scoring through 13 games.
UDM has also had six different players net 20 or more in a contest, four players averaging double figures and four or more players in double figures nine times in a game.
The depth was evident in the win over Bowling Green as Detroit led by double digits in the second half before the team's leading scorer
Chris Jenkins even netted his first point on a free throw to make it 64-52 with 11:22 left.
WE LOVE THE 80'SDid you know that Detroit is a remarkable 53-5 overall when scoring 80 or more points under head coach
Ray McCallum, including 26-3 against Horizon League foes.
Year-by-Year Mark When Reaching 802015-16 (6-1)
2014-15 (6-0)
2013-14 (3-2)
2012-13 (14-1)
2011-12 (9-0)
2010-11 (8-1)
2009-10 (7-0)
BLOCK PARTYThe Titans have recorded four or more blocks nine times this year, and they are second in the Horizon League and 83rd in the nation with 4.3 blocks per game.
That is all without a single athlete on the roster taller than 6-8.
BOMBS AWAYDetroit was 15-of-27 from three against UM-Dearborn on Nov. 23, the most since knocking down 15 against DePaul in 2007.
UDM also tallied double-digit triples:11 against Central State
11 at nationally-ranked Vanderbilt
13 versus Toledo
13 against Bowling Green
12 versus UCF
11 at Western Kentucky
Last year, UDM hit 10 or more 3-pointers just three times all season.
The Titans are currently 19th in the nation in three-point field-goal percentage (40.3%) and 27th in three-point field goals per game (9.7), Horizon League bests in both categories.
CLEANING THE GLASSDetroit totaled a season-high 53 rebounds in the win over Youngstown State, outrebounding the Penguins by 33 (53-20).
The 53 boards were the most since grabbing 55 against Niagara in a 96-77 win in 2010.
It was the third time this season Detroit has recorded 45 or more boards as it had 52 against Central State and 45 at Oral Roberts.
Detroit has now outrebounded its opponent in three straight games, five of the last six and a total of eight times on the year.
THE EXTRA PASSThe Titans totaled 18 assists in their win over Youngstown State, tied for the second most on the season with the 18 against Central State and behind the 22 versus UM-Dearborn.
Detroit is currently fourth in the HL in assists at 13.8 per contest and has accumulated double-digit assists 11 times already.
MAKING THEM COUNTDetroit was 25-of-29 (86.2%) at the charity stripe in the win over Youngstown State and then went 28-of-42 (66.7%) in the triumph over Cleveland State.
The 28 free throws were the second-most on the year behind the 29 against UM-Dearborn, while the 42 free throws were the most since attempting 43 against Stony Brook in 2013.
Detroit has now made 20 or more free throws four times on the season.
I SEE PARISSophomore
Paris Bass - who missed the first seven games due to a suspension for violation of team rules - has been a force on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
He is coming off a great performance and he posted his first double-double of the year - and fifth of his career - with 28 points, 20 in the second half, 13 rebounds, four assists and three steals against Cleveland State.
The 13 boards and four steals were one shy of his career high, while the three blocks tied his career best.
BASS IS BACKSophomore
Paris Bass returned to action in a big way against Bowling Green as the reigning HL Freshman of the Year posted a team-high 25 points, while tallying eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. In his second game, he tallied 23 points in just 21 minutes of action in a win over UCF.
It was the first time he recorded back-to-back 20-point games in his career.
Since he returned to the court, he has recorded double figures in five of his six contests, pulled down seven rebounds in four games and has had three assists or more five times, not to mention three 20-point outings and a double-double.
On the season, he is averaging 18.2 ppg., 6.5 rpg., and 3.2 apg.
WILSON!, OH WILSON!Senior
Anton Wilson was a man on a mission in the HL opening win over Youngstown State as he posted a career-high 34 points – including 26 in the second half.
Wilson was a career-best 10-of-18 shooting and 11-of-11 at the line with three treys.
Known as a 3-point sharpshooter, Wilson tied his career high of 21 before he even hit his first 3-pointer of the game.
The 34 points were the most by a Titan since
Juwan Howard Jr. had 34 against Valpo in 2014.
He is also the fourth HL player to net 30 or more in a game this season with his 34 markers tying for the third most in the HL.
WHAT A SENIOR YEARSenior
Anton Wilson now has 12 double-digit scoring games on the year with a pair of 20-point efforts.
Besides the 34 against Youngstown State, he led Detroit with 20 markers at Pittsburgh and now has four career 20-point games.
He is currently leading the team in scoring at 15.6 ppg., - fifth in the HL. His 39 treys lead UDM and his 3.0 three-point field goals per game is third in the HL and 35th in the nation.
BASS NAMED TO LOU HENSON AWARD PRESEASON WATCH LIST Paris Bass was named to the Lou Henson Award Preseason Watch List, announced by the organization in early November.
The sophomore was one of nearly 40 outstanding mid-major college players to earn the Preseason All-America recognition, which is presented annually to the top Mid-Major player in Division I college basketball.
He is also the
LONE underclassman to garner the honor.
The award is named in honor of Henson, who retired after a spectacular coaching career that lasted 41 years. When he left the game in 2005, he was sixth all-time in career Division I wins with 779. He is the winningest coach at both Illinois and New Mexico State and is one of only 12 coaches in the history of the game to take two schools to the Final Four.
A HELPING HANDSophomore
Paris Bass tied his career high with five assists at Western Kentucky, while junior
Chris Jenkins had career-high five assists against Youngstown State and freshman
Josh McFolley handed out a season-high six against Cleveland State.
GIVE ME A GRANTJunior
Matthew Grant came off the bench for some valuable minutes against Youngstown State as he finished with 12 points, two rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes.
It was one point off his season high of 13 against UM-Dearborn and the 16th time in his career he has been in double figures.
JA-LETHALSophomore
Jaleel Hogan has been in double figures seven times so far on the year and had his first career double-double with 14 points and a career-high 10 rebounds in the win over Bowling Green.
He recently registered a career-high 17 points against Youngstown State, where he was 7-of-7 from the field with five boards.
He recorded a then-career-high 16 points at Pittsburgh as he was 7-of-12 from the field with five rebounds. He also had 15-points - in just 15 minutes of action due to foul trouble - at Oral Roberts, where he was 7-of-11 shooting.
He is currently third on the team with 4.4 rebounds per game and fourth with 9.8 points per game, all while shooting 58.0 percent, second in the HL.
PAINT MANWith his strength, sophomore
Jaleel Hogan is uncanny in the paint showcased by his career 60.1 (113-of-188) field-goal percentage.
Last season, he ended the year with a blistering 62.0 field goal percentage (62-of-100), which would rank third in school history for a single season, but was 25 shot attempts shy from qualifying for that mark.
TRIPLE 3 SPECIALITYSenior
Anton Wilson started the season with back-to-back games hitting four 3-pointers, and he added another game with four treys nailing four at #16/13 Vanderbilt. He also hit a season-high five 3-pointers against Bowling Green, one away from his career best.
Wilson has now made a triple in all 13 games this season.
He also has 14 career game with four or more treys, 75 career games with at least two 3-pointers and 27 games knocking down at least three treys.
#1 SHOOTING 3'SSharpshooting senior
Anton Wilson continues to make his name show up in the Titan record books.
He shot 41.8 percent from behind the arc last season, a number that ranks sixth in school history as he was 56-of-134 from long distance.
This season, he is hitting the three at 43.8 percent (39-of-89).
With his four triples in the season opener, he passed Titan legend and 12-year NBA veteran Willie Green and is now sixth in school history with 158 career 3-pointers.
He is also fifth in UDM history with a 40.8 career three-point field goal percentage.
Titan Career 3-Point Field Goal Leaders1. Rashad Phillips, 1998-01 - 348
2. Desmond Ferguson, 1998-00 - 235
3. Dwayne Kelley, 1990-93 - 224
4. Jon Goode, 2005-08 - 202
5. Greg Grays, 2001-02 - 169
6. Anton Wilson, 2012-pre. - 155Titan Career 3-Point Field Goal Percentage Leaders1. Archie Tullos, 1985-88 - .433
2. Bill Wood, 1987-90 - .415
3. Tony Tolbert, 1993-94 - .409
Jon Goode, 2005-08 - .409
5. Anton Wilson, 2012-pre. - .408 EASY POINTSSenior
Anton Wilson is a career 83.2 percent shooter at the free throw line connecting on 99-of-119 career attempts, including 32-of-38 (84.2%) this season - fourth in the HL.
He does not have enough free throw attempts to qualify for the school record book, or his career percentage would rank fourth.
DOUBLE-UP CHRISJunior
Chris Jenkins has scored in double figures eight times already, which includes two 20-point games, a career high in points and three double-doubles.
He netted his career-high 26 points with 10 rebounds, three steals and two assists in the win over UCF.
He has also tallied 17 points and 11 rebounds against Toledo - where he also has a career-best four blocks, and that came after tallying 14 points and six rebounds in the win over Northeastern.
At No. 16/13 Vanderbilt, he netted 11 points hitting three 3-pointers and registered a career-high four steals. At Oral Roberts, Jenkins had 16 points and a career-tying 13 rebounds, and he started the streak with a then career-high 25 points against UM-Dearborn.
The do-it-all Titan not only has the eight games in double figures, but he also has nine games with five or more rebounds, seven games with two or more assists and four games with two or more steals.
He is currently second on the team and is 11th in the HL in scoring (13.2), while standing second on the team and ninth in the league in field-goal percentage (48.6%).
He is also among the team leaders and the top 15 in the Horizon League in:
Free throw percentage (85.7%) - 3rd
Rebounding (6.8) - 7th
Steals (1.2) - T11tth
3-Point Field Goal Percentage (43.2%) - 10th
GERALD'S CASEFreshman
Gerald Blackshear has had an excellent start to his career and had a career night posting 12 points and five rebounds with a block in the win over Northeastern.
In his collegiate debut, he posted a game-high 10 rebounds to go with six points, three assists and three steals against Central State and tied his career high with 10 boards at EMU.
In his Horizon League debut, he posted six points with eight rebounds, a block and a steal in just 17 minutes against Youngstown State and came back with 10 points and five boards versus Cleveland State.
Some other good games include, seven caroms with seven points at Oral Roberts, six rebounds at #16/13 Vanderbilt and six points and seven boards in the win over UCF.
Blackshear has now recorded seven or more rebounds six times this year and is second on the team and 13th in the Horizon League in rebounding at 5.9 per game.
TOTAL CONTROLSenior
Carlton Brundidge has run the offense with excellence so far shown by his 1.7-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio on the year, eighth in the HL.
He has 32 assists against just 18 turnovers.
GREAT START FOR CBCarlton Brundidge has jumped out to a quick start in his final year of eligibility.
He currently leads the team with 2.5 assists - tied for 13th in the Horizon League - and is fifth on the team in scoring (8.4) and rebounding (3.5).
Brundidge posted a career-best 23 points at Oral Roberts - 17 in the second half - where he was a career-high 10-of-19 from the field with five boards and two assists.
He had 14 points in the season opener and followed that up with 12 points at Pittsburgh. Against UM-Dearborn, he scored 10 points and handed out a career-high nine helpers and then had 12 points against Bowling Green, where he hit two 3-pointers to cool a BGSU comeback attempt.
He is also coming off an 11-point, four rebounds, two assists and two-steal game against Cleveland State.
HIGH-SCORING ROOKIEFreshman
Josh McFolley has scored in double figures in eight of his 12 games, including a season-high 20-points in the victory over Northeastern, 19 at Eastern Michigan and 16 in the win versus Toledo.
He was 8-of-15 against the Huskies and 6-of-11 against the Rockets. He also had three steals versus UT, including a steal with 21 seconds left that led to a layup to help seal the win.
He just handed out a season-high six assists in the win over Cleveland State.
He is currently third on the team with 11.7 ppg. - third among HL rookies and 19th in the conference.
He leads all HL freshmen in three-point field goals per game (2.4) and second in three-point field goal percentage (40.8%).
RINGING THE THREEFreshman
Josh McFolley's last five games have seen him make 16 field goals (16-of-43), 14 of which have been from three (14-of-32).
He is currently second on the team with 29 three-point field goals and fifth in the HL with 2.4 per game.
JUST A GOOD GUYAnton Wilson has put in a lot of work on the court, but he was honored for his actions off the hardwood as the senior was announced as a nominee for the 2016 Allstate NABC Good Works Teams®.
Wilson is one of just four Horizon League players to earn a nomination along with Milwaukee's Justin Jordan, Oakland's Max Hooper and Valparaiso's Alec Peters. A total of 154 men's players were honored in all.
Wilson has taken part in a number of community service projects in the past year, including reading projects at local schools and The Manhood Project. He is also a member of the University of Detroit Mercy Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
In its fourth year, the Allstate NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams® recognize players at all levels of college basketball who have made outstanding contributions in the areas of volunteerism and civic involvement. From establishing nonprofits that provide youth with the necessary tools to become leaders of tomorrow, to raising awareness around pertinent issues that could save lives, these student-athletes exhibit leadership skills both on and off the court.
AFS SIGHTINGRedshirt freshman
Aaron Foster-Smith had seen limited playing time of late, but he was able to produce when called upon as he scored five points and tied his season high with six rebounds and two blocks at Eastern Michigan.
He started his career with nine points, two rebounds and two blocks against Central State and netted a season-best 22 points with six caroms versus UM-Dearborn.
He is currently shooting 50.0 percent (24-of-48), including 8-of-19 from three (42.1%).
