The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Welcomes Nebraska, ESPN2 Thursday Night
12/1/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 1, 2004
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - In a game that will likely evoke memories for the long-time fans of both programs, UAB and Nebraska meet on the men's basketball hardwood at 8:35 p.m. (CT) Thursday night in Bartow Arena. And those memories will be set out for the world, or at least the nation, to see as ESPN2 will carry the game between the Blazers and Cornhuskers live. Dave Revsine and Doug Gottlieb have the call for the network.
It was against Nebraska 26 years ago - Nov. 24, 1978 to be exact - that UAB athletics began. While the Huskers won that meeting, 64-55, the contest was the seed that has grown UAB into a nationally prominent athletic program. Thursday's meeting may not have as long-lasting implications on either program, but the game is a key match up for Mike Anderson's Blazers, who are 2-0 on the season.
"The funny thing about this is it might have been a game I went to as a kid," Anderson laughed. "We certainly have a recognition of the history of the match up and that Nebraska was the first game for UAB back then, but as a coach now, it's the next game on our schedule. That's the most important thing. It's an opportunity to play before a national audience and find out whether or not we are getting better. They are from the Big 12 Conference and finished strong last year. I think this is going to be a tough ballgame and one that's very competitive on both sides."
UAB has beaten Virginia Commonwealth and Louisiana Tech thus far and has used Anderson's patented pressure defensive style to do so. The Blazers recorded 15 steals and forced 25 turnovers in each of their first two wins and held both VCU and Louisiana Tech to long scoring droughts in each contest. Virginia Commonwealth was held scoreless for almost six minutes and UAB led, 17-0, early. The Blazers prevented Louisiana Tech from scoring a single field goal for 13:08 in the second half in Monday's victory.
"We can still work on some things," Anderson acknowledged. "But when you hold teams to 55 and 54 points, that's not bad defense. We're holding opponents to poor shooting percentages, too, so we hope to continue to do that."
Nebraska, also 2-0 on the season, returns 10 letterwinners and three starters from a 2003-04 squad which made it to the final eight of the NIT. It has been one of the newcomers, however, stealing headlines through the first two games for the Cornhuskers. Freshman Joe McCray was named Big 12 Rookie of the Week Sunday after scoring 17.0 points per game in his first two college outings. Junior Guard Jason Dourisseau's double-double average of 17.5 points and 10 rebounds per contest lead Nebraska.
"They are a very good and veteran basketball team," Anderson said. "They return some starters from last year and (head coach) Barry Collier has been there long enough now to have his system in place and the type of players he needs to be successful. They're off to a good start, too, so we have our hands full."
The game will not only be carried live on ESPN2, but will also air on the Blazer Sports Network heard locally on WYDE, 101.1 FM in Birmingham. Gary Sanders and Matt Coulter will call the game.
UAB next hits the road for its first away game of the 2004-05 season. The Blazers visit future Conference USA rival Marshall in Huntington, W.Va., on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. (ET)/7 p.m. (CT) in the Henderson Center.
UAB Men's Basketball Game Notes in PDF Format
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