With coach Bob Hallberg’s criticism still ringing in their ears, the Illinois-Chicago Flames will try this week to extend their winning streak from six to eight games and their Midwestern Collegiate Conference record to 7-1.
Hallberg was displeased Saturday even after the Flames beat Wisconsin-Milwaukee to extend their winning streak to six and their record to 11-5, 5-1.
“We were complacent,” said Hallberg of the Flames’ listless play against the lowly Panthers (2-13). “When we beat Green Bay (last week), we thought all we had to do was show up and we’d beat Milwaukee.”
Hallberg fears the Flames could lose Thursday at Detroit and at home Saturday against Cleveland State if they do not select better shots and display more fire than they did until senior guard Mike Simmons awakened them in the second half against Milwaukee.
Nevertheless, headed by 24-point scorer Sherell Ford, UIC has not lost since its MCC opener at La Salle, where Simmons had a bad game. The streak has coincided with fiery play and a 17.6-point average by Simmons.
“Coach showed confidence in me after my bad game in Philadelphia,” said Simmons. “I made up my mind not to have another bad game. I’m vocal, and the team feeds off my energy.”
“Mike is like that 365 days a year,” said Hallberg. “He’s always in the game, trying to bring others into the game.”
