UIC Attacks Howard’s Weakness in Win

Ron Bailey, Publisher

November 26, 2008 – Leading by four, 34-30 at halftime, Howard looked in good position to if not defeat, at least stay within striking range of the University of Illinois Chicago, a Horizon League school coached for 13 years by Jimmy Collins. The stated crowd of 719 at Howard’s Burr Gymnasium buzzed, as a victory against the Flames would mean two wins over schools from conference’s with solid NCAA Tournament pedigrees – the Bison defeated Oregon State to start the year.

Unfortunately a tactical shift by Collins would prove to make that impossible.

Howard's Eugene Myatt and Randy Hampton illustrate the frustration of their team in the second half.

“We weren’t having much success playing them one on one in the first half” said Collins of his team’s previous man-to-man defensive alignment. “So we switched defenses.

The effect was first a 7-2 run immediately after the second half’s 16:17 mark, and overall 34-20 scoring advantage to close the game, leading to a 68-54 UIC win. Collins first employed a sagging man that morphed into a scramble, before deciding upon using a 1-2-2- ¾ court press after makes, backed by a 2-3 match up zone.

The changes worked in large part due to Howard’s lead guard situation, or lack thereof.

“We just need our guards” said Howard’s head coach, Gil Jackson. “We had Chris McHenry and Calvin Thompson hurt…It reminded me at times of last year”; both freshman, McHenry and Thompson were sidelined by finger and shoulder injuries, respectively.

Highlighting their absence (Thompson has not played all year) were the 21 Bison turnovers, 12 of which were committed in the second stanza. Another result of not having lead guards available was to force shooting guards and forwards, like senior Eugene Myatt (19 points) and Curtis White (11 points, four assists), to dribble while pressured and initiate the offense, thereby robbing them of being able to receive the ball in scoring position.

Negatively impacting the situation further were sophomores Anthony Thomas and Torrance Timothy both recently being excused from the team.

UIC (3-1) enjoyed 13 points and three steals from sophomore Robo Kreps. Senior Scott VanderMeer also supplied 13 points, along with 12 boards and five blocks, while senior sharpshooter Josh Mayo poured in 12 points.

Next up for Howard (1-4) is Canisus at Burr Gymnasium Monday, December 1st. According to Jackson, Thompson and McHenry are scheduled to return then.