Panther’s Toothsayer: UIC Flames
- Tyler
- Nov 19
- 4 min read
📍🏝️ Series & Setting
High Point heads to Daytona for a neutral-site matchup against UIC — the first meeting between the programs. The backdrop feels fitting: two teams that both prefer to push pace meeting in the shadow of Daytona’s speedway, where quick decisions and control of tempo separate contenders from pretenders.
HPU comes in off a strong response performance against Canisius, showing better defensive structure, more discipline, and real contributions across the roster. The shooting also started to rev up against the Griffins, especially Chase Johnston who hit five shots from beyond the arc. The Panthers have generated clean looks but haven’t consistently cashed them in all year — they’ll need to be sharp in this mid day MTE meeting.
UIC arrives at 3–1 with wins over Detroit Mercy, St. Francis (IL), and Chicago State, and a tight loss at Oregon State. The Flames, like so many mid majors, rebuilt their roster with 10 new players and play an aggressive, pace-friendly style under second-year head coach Rob Ehsan.
This one has the feel of a shootout and whoever comes out on top could be truly off to the races.