The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Practice At Taco Bell Arena For First Time
3/16/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 16, 2005
BOISE, Idaho --- The UAB men's basketball team took to the court at Taco Bell Arena on the Boise State University campus here Wednesday night in preparation for Thursday's game versus LSU in the first round of the 2005 NCAA Tournament.
The Blazers, who a year ago became one of the great stories of the NCAA Tournament with wins over Washington and tournament No. 1 seed Kentucky, will look to add to that recent tournament success Thursday when they take on the sixth-seeded Tigers.
The game will tip off at Thursday at approximately 8:50 p.m. and will be televised by CBS. The winner will advance to Saturday's second round to play the winner of the first round matchup between Arizona and Utah State.
UAB head coach Mike Anderson says he hopes his team's experiences in the 2004 tournament will help as they enter this year's championship.
"Hopefully, these can use the experience" said Anderson. "You've got to remember the core of those guys last year were fifth-year seniors. They are no longer here. Now, you've got guys who have developed over the season and it's their time. Hopefully, our guys come out and draw from the experience."
UAB is hoping its depth can play to its advantage and offset the inside game of LSU. The Tigers' inside tandem of Brandon Bass and Glen Davis will present a challenge to the Blazers they probably have not seen this season.
"I think that's going to be a tremendous task there," said Anderson. "'Baby' Davis was the (SEC) Freshman of the Year. Brandon Bass is an outstanding player. When you talk about their frontline, it poses a lot of problems for a lot of people. In particular, it's not one of our strengths.
"In terms of rebounding and size, it's our weakness. We can be one of those teams that attacks you in different ways. The big key is going to be controlling the tempo. Our biggest asset with our basketball team is our bench. Hopefully, we can get the temp going."
The Blazers are making their 12th NCAA tournament appearance and their third straight postseason trip under Anderson. UAB will enter Thursday's game with a 21-10 overall and was 10-6 in Conference USA play during the regular season. Donell Taylor leads UAB with 15.6 points per contest. Demario Eddins (12.6 ppg), Ronell Taylor (11.4 ppg) and Marvett McDonald (10.7 ppg) also score in double figures for the Blazers.
LSU is 20-9 and finished in a tie for first in the Southeastern Conference's West Division this season under head coach John Brady. The Tigers have five players averaging in double-figures and are led by SEC Player of the Year Bass' 17.1 points per game. Darrell Mitchell (13.5 ppg), Davis (13.4 ppg), Antonio Hudson (13.3 ppg) and Tack Minor (10.7 ppg) also average double-digits for LSU.
The Blazers have faced LSU once in school history, dropping a 78-62 contest to the Tigers on Dec. 27, 2003, in New Orleans, La., in the Sugar Bowl Classic. Jaime Lloreda and Bass scored 22 points each to lead LSU. Ronell Taylor recorded a career-high 22 points for UAB, while Gabe Kennedy added 13 and Sidney Ball contributed 12 for the Blazers.
