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[No idea why schools would now vote in favor of the change, but assume the allure of guaranteed money from the organizers was attractive, especially with the HL's decline in NCAA tourney payouts.]

No idea why schools would now vote in favor of the change, but assume the allure of guaranteed money from the organizers was attractive, especially with the HL's decline in NCAA tourney payouts. [/b]



As one who has no dog in the fight (UIC will not be in the chase anytime soon), I'll throw my $.02 in on this.  I think the main reason for the format change is to escape the "small time conference" stigma and to follow the format of the major conferences.

The problem: the Horizon League IS  just a mid-major conference that is not getting any better.  In fact, it's getting worse (2 schools with 300+ RPI, only one in top 100).  We cannot compete with the "big boys" on any level, so why are we trying to emulate their tournament format?

The old format should have been left alone.

[Historically bad UIC]

8-2.  Historically bad UIC is our running partner. 

UIC fan here. You must be about 15 years old if you think we are "historically bad".  It's true, we have sucked for the last 3 years( including this year)---hardly "historical", though .  FYI, we have had a winning record for 8 of the past 14 years.  Included in there are 4 post-season appearances:  2 NCAA, NIT, and CIT. Certainly not Valpo-like, but not deserving of your overall description of our MBB program.  (just venting )

Sorry to get in on this so late, but I think everyone is missing the boat on the academic discussion.  This isn't about which is the better school.  It's about schools making academic concessions for their jocks.  UIC refuses to do it (no PE majors, "basket weaving" courses, etc). Other schools in the HL do.  I know for a fact that several quality mid-major recruits couldn't meet the academic standards for UIC and went to other HL schools.

If Jay were still a Crusader, he would no longer be a Crusader 

UIC fan here.  You're probably right about Harris.  He got kicked off the team at Wagner and was suspended for his first 3 games at UIC.  Howard Moore is so desperate for any decent talent, that he will go for guys with questionable character (like Barlow last year). 
By the way, he leads UIC in scoring at 14.2 PPG and hits his free throws at a 92.5% rate.

Will the Flames have a new coach next year?  No friggin' way!!!


Our moronic AD (who aggressively applied for, and was rejected, for the Milwaukee job) signed Moore for 3 more years when Moore still had 2 years left on his original contract.


I put a post out on the UIC board when Moore's contract was extended to the effect that you never extend a contract of a mid-major coach if he still has multiple years left.  It's a no-win situation.  If he does really well, he'll be gone to a high major program.  If he craps his pants, like now, the school is on the hook, in this case, for 4 more years after this season.  Mid major schools typically don't have the wherewithal to pay these guys off (about $1.6 to $2 million for Moore).

LPAA:
I know you reached out to HC for this info., but you got my curiosity going so I did some research.
I calculated Humes' PPS (points per shot) by taking total points scored, including free throws, divided by total FG attempts.
These are the stats for his 3 years at UIC (newest to oldest):  1.14, 1.24, 1.29
Other stats for his 3 years (same order):
FG%:  .397, .473, .448
3-PT FG%:  .353, .400, .418
Minutes per game:  26.2, 33.2, 30.8  (supports your argument about reduced playing time)
What has always amazed me about Humes is his timidness (or lack of aggressiveness, if you prefer).  In 524 minutes of playing time this year, he has been to the FT line only 23 times!!!  Isn't that a tad low for a 6' 8" power forward?
Just curious, why the interest in Hayden?

Hey, man, I'm just trying to help you out. 

BTW, what did Hayden Humes do to make Coach hate him this year?

Just playing poorly.  After averaging 8.2 and 10.3 ppg his first 2 years at UIC, he is down to 6.9 this year and not providing the senior leadership that Moore hoped he would get out of Humes.  Btw, he didn't play yesterday due to an eye injury---out 2-4 weeks.
       
     
     
       
       
       
          

UIC fan here.  Nice thread.  Thanks.  I know we suck.  Our coach is in way over his head, etc., etc.
Let's look at the big picture.  Do you think that the Horizon League is happy that its largest market team is the laughing stock of the league?  I know everyone has to root for their team,  but I think having a good Chicago team would benefit everyone.  JMHO.