CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- With three straight games in the near future against the two teams currently tied for first place, the Champaign Swarm may be looking ahead. But their first order of business is Thursday’s matchup against the Windy City Groove at the Kroc Center in Chicago. Tipoff is 7 p.m.

See full game notes.

The Swarm are seeking a season sweep of the Groove, having beaten them three times already. But the last two contests were decided by single digits, most recently an 87-80 Swarm win in Champaign on Feb. 8.

With a win, the Swarm would also be the first team in the league to have 10 wins -- even if only for a day -- and would be in a virtual tie for first place.

Thursday’s Swarm roster will look considerably different than the one the Groove last saw. Guard Avery Smith has averaged 31 points per game in the last four games, including back-to-back 36-point performances, and 25.2 overall. LaPhonso Ellis Jr. made his debut on Feb. 26 and contributed seven points, while Livan Pyfrom has added a down-low presence to alter and block shots. The big man averages 2.0 blocks per game. Mark St. Fort is top rebounder at 8.7 rebounds per game.

One thing the Swarm have gone without in three games against the Groove: three-pointers. They are a combined 1-for-22 against Windy City. But the additions of Ellis, Smith and new signee Malcolm Griffin could change that pattern.

Windy City is trying to break out of a five-game losing streak. Their last win came on Feb. 15 against Chicago.

Nate Fuqua leads the scoring with 19.7 per game and has 8.0 rebounds per game. Lavante Douglas is contributing 17.5 points per game with 6.7 rebounds, coming off a 22-point output in a loss to St. Louis on Feb. 28.

Thursday’s game will be broadcast on www.theMPBA.com. Alvin Washington has play-by-play, and Scott Beatty provides analysis.