The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Men's Basketball Returns To Action On Monday Night In Coors Classic
12/14/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 14, 2003
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- The UAB men's basketball team will return to the floor after a nine-day break between games when it takes on Western Michigan out of the Mid American Conference, in the opening round of the Coors Classic held in Mobile, Ala. This game will be the beginning of a difficult four-game stretch in the next eight days for the Blazers.
The Blazers are coming off their first loss of the season, dropping an 86-84 decision at Mississippi State. The Bulldogs' Lawrence Roberts hit a short jumper with 3.1 seconds remaining, breaking a tie and giving MSU the win. The Blazers are led by senior guard Morris Finley. The LaFayette, Ala. native is one of four players to average double figure scoring, leading the team with 18.0 ppg, while also shooting 42 percent from behind the arc. Ronell Taylor (14.0 ppg), Gabe Kennedy (12.0 ppg) and Donell Taylor (11.8 ppg) all average double figures as well. Senior Sidney Ball continues to lead the team with 7.3 rebounds per game, while Carldell Johnson leads the team with 5.0 assists per contest.
Western Michigan enters Monday's contest with a two-game win streak and winners in three of its first four games this season. Most recently, the Broncos defeated Fordham, 88-67, on Saturday. WMU is led by three players averaging double digits in Mike Williams (20.8), Ben Reed (15.0) and Anthony Kann (11.8). Williams and Kann also share the team high with 6.0 rebounds per contest, while Brian Snider is averaging a team-best 6.0 assists per game.
UAB (3-1) and Western Michigan (3-1) will be meeting for the first time ever on the hardwood. This year's Coors Classic features one current and two past Sun Belt Conference members as UAB takes on Western Michigan and South Alabama battles Old Dominion. UAB and Old Dominion were long-time league members from 1982-1991.
The game is set for Monday, Dec. 15, at 5:30 p.m. CST, with the opening tip coming at approximately 5:37 p.m. The event is co-sponsored by Coors and the GMAC Bowl, and will be televised by Comcast Sports Southeast (CSS), as Matt Stewart and Sonny Smith will do the broadcast.
The game will also be carried on the radio in the Birmingham, Montgomery and Dothan areas by The Blazer Sports Network on WYDE 101.1 FM with the pregame show beginning at 5 p.m. (CST). For listeners in Mobile, Monday's contest will be carried on WNST 105.5 FM. In addition, UAB fans can also pick up a statewide broadcast via the internet at www.al.com or www.RadioAlabama.net. The live internet production has been made available for Monday night's game and is free of charge.
