First-place showdown Thursday in Bloomington
Swarm seek to avenge only loss
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – They’re separated by about only fifty miles of Interstate 74 and by only a tiebreaker in the standings. But when the Bloomington Flex and Champaign Swarm are finished playing Thursday at U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington, one team will sit alone at the top of the Midwest Professional Basketball Association standings.
Both teams enter the contest at 6-1. The Swarm’s only loss came after a 3-0 start, when they were drubbed by the Flex 102-81 on January 29 in Champaign. The Flex lost their season opener on January 4 to the St. Louis RiverSharks, and have since rattled off six straight wins.
“We have to come out and be aggressive and take care of our business,” Swarm head coach Chris Daleo said. “And yes it is important to win games, but it's also important in this type of league to continue working on our weaknesses and play to our strengths."
Since the Jan. 29 loss to the Flex, Champaign has brought on guard Avery Smith and former Creighton center Livan Pyfrom. Forward Arnold Louis has also gone on a tear. Last week, Louis put up 43 points and 10 rebounds against the Chicago Force on Thursday, then followed that up with 27 and 10 in a huge comeback win Sunday against the Windy City Groove, earning him MPBA Player of the Week honors.
But Champaign had difficulty with the Flex post players, who continue to put up strong numbers. Anthony Slack and Matt Salley average just under nine rebounds a game, while Terrence Green and Slack are second and third in the league in blocks, respectively.
Justin Bocot continues to lead the Flex offensively. After Sunday’s 30-point game, his fourth of the year, his league-leading scoring average ticked up to 27.6 per game. C.J. Hampton now leads the MPBA in three-point field goals made with 16. Fabyon Harris, while increasing his scoring average to 16.4, is third in the league in assists.
Tipoff is set for 7:05 p.m. at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington. The game will broadcast live and in high definition at www.theMPBA.com.