The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Donnie Marsh's Blog
1/20/2009 12:00:00β―AM | Men's Basketball
January 20, 2009
I know it has been awhile since my last blog but it has been a whirlwind around here and it doesn't ease up this week. Last night's game against Louisiana marked our 3rd game in seven (7) days. By week's end we will have played five (5) games in eleven (11) days! That is quite a load. We are 2-1 in this stretch and face two (2) very important league games Wednesday (UTEP) and Saturday (Rice). We completed our non-conference schedule with a solid win over Louisiana (97-62). We finish that portion of the schedule 10-5. That isn't bad considering some of the teams we have faced, but I know we feel we let a few of those get away from us.
The league schedule always carries significance, but it takes on even more importance now as we push towards post season consideration. There is little margin for error now and if last night is any indication, I think our guys are ready to put together a great stretch run. Last night was the first time we have put a solid game together on both sides of the ball. That comes at a good time. I know the opposition wasn't C-USA caliber, but they did take LSU to the wire before losing by 2 in overtime. What we saw last night was a change in the line-up that brought about some positive results. Howard Crawford had a solid night but we know he has the ability to do even more. Channing Toney put together his first real breakout game of the season after moving back to his more natural wing position. And Cameron Moore made the most of his minutes by contributing a double-double. Perhaps the most significant aspect of the evening was the fact that thee guys who had been logging huge minutes for us - Vaden, Delaney & Kinnard - got a little rest. Only Kinnard topped the 30 minute mark and after only playing 19 minutes at Memphis and trying to fight his way out of a shooting slump, the extra minutes he played should not negatively affect him. The bottom line was a much need win in a much needed fashion.
We jump back into C-USA play tomorrow night against a talented, high scoring UTEP team that features two (2) of the top scorers in the league. We will have our work cut out for us defensively but we will answer the challenge. What cannot be overstated is the role you all play when we are in Bartow Arena. I say this all the time, YOU make the difference! We need your enthusiasm, your noise, your passion, your support...with that we can move to 8-0 at the friendly confines. I look forward to seeing AND hearing you on Wednesday.
GO BLAZERS!!
Donnie Marsh
Assistant Head Coach
