The Champaign Swarm passed their first road test of the year in Chicago last Friday, and they are hoping Thursday night yields similar results.
After beating Windy City 92-84 at the Kroc Center in Chicago, the Swarm (4-1) meet the Chicago Force (2-3) for the first time of this season. Chicago is coming off a 104-102 victory against Gateway on Saturday. With a win on Thursday, the Swarm can pull into a tie for first place with Bloomington; Chicago is in fourth place.
Last Friday's win followed a what Swarm head coach Chris Daleo dubbed a "humiliating" loss to Bloomington last Thursday.
"Our weaknesses were exposed (last week), and we have to keep working on that," Daleo said. "But I think it shows a lot of strength to come back like that."
Hear more in an interview with Chris Daleo.
The Swarm will have their hands full with the Force's Derrick McDonald, the league's second leading scorer at 23.4 points per game and top rebounder at 12.4 boards per contest. They will also have to deal with Ronnie Carlwell, the Force's imposing shot blocker.
"We'll have to do a better job of drawing and kicking," Daleo said.
The Swarm boast five players who average in double-figure scoring. Arnold Louis and Aaron Weaver are tied for a team-best 17.8 points per game. Weaver has done his work while coming off the bench. Meanwhile, Mark St. Fort missed his fourth consecutive double-double by one rebound in Friday's win.
Meanwhile, Chicago is getting more accustomed to pressure situations. Each of their last three games' final scores have had a margin of three points or less.