Preview: Wright State vs. Illinois-Chicago

Radio: WBZI-FM (100.3), Info 1660 AM

Series record: Tied 21-21

Starting lineups:

About Wright State

The Raiders have won three straight, including a dominating 64-48 defeat of Loyola on Thursday. Mays led all scorers with 23 points, the fourth time this season he has scored at least 20. In the past three games, the Raiders have averaged 68 points, shot 45.3 percent and gotten 21 points per game from Mays. The scoring production is significant for a team that ranks ninth in the Horizon League in points per game (57.9). Sophomore guard Vance Hall has become a greater 3-point threat during the three-game winning streak, making 7-of-13 shots from long range. He averages 5.1 points.

About Ill.-Chicago

The Flames, who were picked 10th in the league preseason poll, beat preseason No. 2 Detroit 63-59 on Thursday for their first league win. Talton scored a career-high 21 points as Barnes added 14. That pair has driven the Flames’ offense from the backcourt this season with the team’s top two scoring averages. In the past three games, Barnes has averaged 17.7 points, while Talton has averaged 15.7. While UIC is 5-8 overall, the Flames are 5-1 at home. Thursday’s win was arguably their best, even though Detroit fell to 6-9 and 0-3 in the league with the loss. UIC is tied with Green Bay as the league’s best rebounding team, averaging 38 per game.

FYI

WSU is 9-1 in the last 10 games against UIC. The only loss in that stretch was a road overtime defeat in February 2009.

Quote, unquote

“They have a lot of new players from last year, and I think it’s taken some guys some time to understand their roles. Now that they have, they’ve played better.” — WSU coach Billy Donlon.