The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Holds Blazer Basketball Media Day
10/9/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Oct. 9, 2002
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-- UAB men's and women's basketball hosted their media day Wednesday at Bartow Arena. Both head men's coach Mike Anderson and head women's coach Jeannie Milling discussed their teams efforts in the preseason and their expectations for the 2002-2003 season. Friday night's Midnight Mayhem will mark the start for practice for both teams.
Anderson commented on the intense workout sessions the men's team have been enduring, including 6 a.m. workouts, followed by individual workouts and weightlifting. Anderson pushed his team to be more "physically dynamic", which he feels is a must for the kind of game he wants to play.
Anderson's leaders for the team are returning junior Morris Finley and senior Eric Bush. Both players have seen a large amount of playing time in the past, with Finley as the returning leading scorer.
Below are a few comments from Coach Anderson, Mo Finley, and Eric Bush.
Mike Anderson: "I want to make sure that our kids are ready to go. I want to make sure they understand what is going to take place. My job is to push and shove and get the best performance out of my players. More than anything else, I want to make sure that they are healthy and that they are ready to go both mentally and physically. They also taking care of what's going on in school, because that is why they are here, to get an education."
On attendance: "I think that the students have to feel connected to not only the basketball coach, but the team as well. The players are on campus, they are students, and that is why they are here. I want them to interact with the other students. When students see players and know them, they will come support them. It is about the relationship between the team and the students. With the creation of a relationship, the students will be there to support the team."
Mo Finley on attendance expectations: "I am expecting students to come out. I have been passing out flyers myself, trying to encourage as many people as possible to come out. As coach said, if 100 people show up , we'll go out and try to show 100 people what they want to see. It's a new start."
Eric Bush on change: "The difference this year is the work ethic. The first time we met coach, he told us we will have a six week preseason. The discipline is different this year. As a team, the leadership is different."
The UAB Lady Blazers are returning two top players from last year's team, Natasha Thomas and Michelle Smith. Thomas finished the 2001-2002 season ranked eighth in the nation in rebounding (11.4) while Smith averaged 7.3 boards per game.
Comments From Coach Milling: On expectations on the season: "It is important that Natasha Thomas and Michelle Smith are back. They are the heart of our inside game. They are huge rebounders for us and that is a big part of the game here at this program.
"Our backcourt players, Allison Graham, Chantell Thomas, Vanessa White, K'Shaki Short all have experience in league play. They worked very hard on their game over the spring, summer and especially this fall. Each of these players understand that we need to improve on our perimeter game.
"As far as expectations, we are just going to take one game at a time and get out and play hard every game. We will be well prepared, ready to play, and focused on what we have to do to be successful."
