Oct. 8, 2008

Chicago, Ill. - The UIC women's basketball team was selected to finish seventh in the 2008-09 Horizon League Preseason Poll of coaches, media and sports information directors that was released by the league office on Wednesday, Oct. 8.

UIC returns four starters, including 2007-08 All-Horizon League Second Team selection Jessie Miller (Burnsville, Minn./Academy of Holy Angels). The junior guard finished seventh in the league with 14.0 points per game.

Nikki Grobbecker (Stratford, Ont./St. Michael) and Cassie Johnson (Apply Valley, Minn./Eastview) return to the lineup after finishing the 2007-08 season as two of the league's leaders in rebounds and blocks. Grobbecker ranked fourth in rebounds (6.6 rpg), while Johnson finished with a league-best 1.47 blocks per game.

Green Bay was tabbed to repeat last year's regular season championship with 24 out of the possible 29 first-place votes. Wright State was picked to finish second, followed by Milwaukee, 2008 Horizon League tournament champion Cleveland State, Butler and Valparaiso. Loyola, Youngstown State and Detroit followed UIC to round out of the poll of 10 teams.

The Flames open their exhibition season with a home contest against Lewis at the Pavilion on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m.

2008-09 Horizon League Preseason Poll

1. Green Bay - 24 first-place votes - 284 points

2. Wright State - 1 first-place vote - 241 points

3. Milwaukee - 2 first-place votes - 240 points

4. Cleveland State - 1 first-place vote - 228 points

5. Butler - 1 first-place vote - 204 points

6. Valparaiso - 179 points

7. UIC - 97 points

8. Loyola - 94 points

9. Youngstown State - 71 points

10. Detroit - 41 points