The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB BASKETBALL BLOG
2/16/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
As far as this year’s version of the Blazers goes, we are in unchartered waters right now. We dropped another home game and that’s inexcusable. We have now won just once in our last four (4) games and that’s unsettling. The most frustrating part for me has been the way we have lost those games. We have not played with the same energy, passion and sense of urgency on the defensive end that we have shown throughout the bulk of the season. We’ve played with a sluggish, pace ourselves type of energy level and that’s just not who we are. You might ask why the difference. I’m asking that too and I am determined to get to the root of the issue so we can get back to being a dominating, intense, energetic, tough-minded, aggressive, disruptive, but disciplined defensive team. It all starts – and finishes – at that end of the floor for us. I think our guys bought into that earlier and they saw the results. But whether it’s been the distractions of the rankings, or the talk of the tournament, or the pats on the back from friends and/or family, or just the grind of the season, whatever the case, we haven’t handled it well. The silver lining in the situation is there is a lot of season left to play. We have spent most of this season focusing on getting better every practice, every game. Perhaps that got lost in THE buzz about bracketology. We try to keep it out of the locker room, but they watch television; they have access to the internet; they walk the campus with friends and classmates who make sure they know what’s being said about them; they’re human. These kids have worked their butts off to put themselves in the hunt for something special. When you haven’t been there before it can be challenging maintaining your focus. That’s our job now, to re-focus our guys. To get them back to understanding what it means to “bring the fight” and how important a part that is of our identity as a team. It started with an extended session in the locker room following the game and it will continue today on the court as we prepare for Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles are playing inspired basketball. They have won 5 of the 6 games they have played since we saw them here. In their minds they let one get away when they played us the first time so I am sure they will come out to prove that point. For us it’s time to get back to being that team that is focused on getting better each time out; on doing whatever it takes to win that game. The challenge is to not look or think any further than Wednesday night at Reed Green Coliseum. Because for us, right now, that is all that matters. Hang with us Blazer fans. Great turnout last Saturday. We truly appreciate that. GO BLAZERS!
