Wanted: One more consistent scorer for the 2004-05 season.
Illinois-Chicago coach Jimmy Collins addressed his most immediate need Friday night after the Flames’ winningest season ended when Kansas drubbed them 78-53 in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Cedrick Banks, UIC’s leading scorer, led his team with 15 points but made only 5 of 18 shots, none after the opening moments in the second half.
“It’s no secret,” Collins said. “Everyone has known we’ve had only one consistent scorer, and when he isn’t having a good night, we struggle.”
Banks’ companion in a 1-2 scoring punch next season could be slick-passing point guard, playmaker and former Westinghouse High teammate Martell Bailey. Collins has described Bailey as “the most unselfish player I’ve coached, at times too unselfish.”
Bailey has been working on his three-point shot with Jonathan Schneiderman, the outstanding outside shooter who graduated from UIC last year.
Justin Bowen, a 6-foot-6-inch sophomore who cracked the starting lineup at midseason, has shown flashes of scoring punch but has not been a consistent scorer. Junior-to-be Elliott Poole, a rugged 6-7 post player, has earned Collins’ praise as a smart player and could step up his scoring.
Collins can count on the return of Banks, Bailey and 6-4 forward Armond Williams, the four-year senior leaders of this season’s team. The three former Public League stars did not play their first year in college because they did not meet NCAA academic standards for eligibility. Each confirmed Friday he intends to be back next season.
