The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Basketball Teams Hold Media Day
10/24/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Oct. 24, 2005
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- UAB head coaches Mike Anderson and Audra Smith, as well as several players, met with the media Monday afternoon to discuss the upcoming 2005-06 basketball seasons.
The UAB men's basketball team opens its preseason play with the annual Green-Gold Scrimmage on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. CT in Bartow Arena. Its first exhibition contest will be Thursday, Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m. CT against West Alabama. The UAB women's team begins exhibition play the following night with the Perik Jumpers at 7 p.m. CT on Friday, Nov. 11 in Bartow Arena and begins its regular season on Nov. 18 when they host Georgia Tech at 7 p.m.
UAB Women's Basketball Head Coach Audra Smith
On the upcoming season
"What a difference a year makes. This team is really dedicated to themselves to being successful this year. That was apparent by how hard they worked this summer. We had the majority of the team stay here this summer and attend classes as well workout. The results have been tremendous. Our conditioning has really improved this year. As a unit we have matured and have grown by leaps and bounds. Another important factor on this team is that they are all very supportive of each other."
On preparations
"Our practices have been very competitive and intense to this point. I can't begin to say how proud I am of this group and I know that their goal this year is the same as the staff. Last year, they didn't understand our goals but now they understand what we are trying to do. For us to be a contender in the conference we have to continue to work hard and not take days off."
UAB Men's Basketball Head Coach Mike Anderson
On the upcoming season
"Its year four and four of our seniors came here day one when I got the job. These guys are responsible for a lot of great things that have taken play here. Each year we talk about improving on what we did the previous year. When you look at year four, we have six seniors on this basketball team. With seniors you are either going to be pretty good or you are going to bad. There is no in between and I say that because of experience. Our seniors are going to be key guys for this basketball team this year."
On the team
"When you look at our basketball team we are not great in size. We aren't one of the biggest teams but there are a lot of ways to play this game. We just need to find what's best for UAB. I'm excited about this year and I feel like the guys are excited. The seniors have to come with it this year and be an integral part of our basketball team. We lost some key players but when I look at this team, I like the make up of it. They have been working extremely hard."
On expectations
"We have a lot of work in front of us. With success comes expectations, but no one expects more from this program than this coach right here. I think we have the personnel to win championships."
UAB Women's Basketball Sophomore Guard LaKitha Murray
On the upcoming season
"We need to focus on being consistent and when you are consistent in practice it will carry over into games. We have to start every game with a high level of intensity and find a way to finish. Last year, we started off slow and had to try to fight our way back."
On practices
"Practice is going really well to this point. It's exciting because we have more people competing in practice and that will help us during the games."
On getting season started
"It's great to be playing at home and knowing that I have this opportunity, I want to make the most of it. We have some new teams in the conference but I feel like every game is going to be tough."
UAB Men's Basketball Senior Forward Demario Eddins
On the upcoming season
"I'm feeling good and I can't wait until next month gets here so we can start playing. We know what to expect from each other and I'm looking to match up our 14 players against their five or six."
On the preparations
"I hear a lot of things about how people expect a lot out of me and Squeaky (Johnson). We have 14 guys, including three newcomers and six seniors, so it's not going to be hard to get ready to play. Practices have been hard because everyone is fighting for playing time. It's a war in practice right now."
On the competition
"Conference USA is going to be a lot harder this year. We knew what to expect out of Cincinnati, Marquette and Louisville. This year we have teams that you've heard about but don't know much about. I know Coach Anderson is going to get us ready. We have to play harder because as a team we are smaller."
On the expectations
"Going to the NCAA Tournament is the best feeling ever. Before I came to UAB, it was becoming more of a football school but now people know UAB for basketball. We want to go back to the Tournament this year and take more steps toward the Championship."
