The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Trip To The Garden At Stake In Blazers, Heels Showdown
3/22/2010 12:00:00β―AM | Men's Basketball
March 22, 2010
UAB-North Carolina Game Notes 
| Gametracker | Audio
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB men's basketball team, a No. 2 seed in the 2010 National Invitation Tournament, will face fourth-seeded North Carolina Tuesday night in Bartow Arena in the quarterfinals of this year's event. The winner will earn a trip to the NIT Final Four in New York City next week.
The UAB ticket office announced Monday the game has officially been sold out. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN at 8 p.m. CT and can also be heard on the Blazers ISP Radio Natwork, WUHT 107.7 FM.
UAB enters the quarterfinals of the NIT with an overall record of 25-8. The Blazers earned a No. 2 seed in this year's tournament, which marks the third consecutive year and the seventh time over the last eight seasons that UAB has earned a trip to either the NCAA Tournament or NIT.
The Blazers have played 80 minutes in the 2010 NIT and have never trailed a second heading into the quartefinal matchup against fourth-seeded North Carolina. The Blazers recorded back-to-back victories over Coastal Carolina (65-49 on March 16), and most recently, NC State (72-52 on March 20). Junior guard Elijah Millsap led UAB with career-high tying marks of 27 points and 15 rebounds in the 20-point win over the Wolfpack
The Blazers continue to be led by Millsap, a first-team all-conference performer, who leads the team in scoring (16.0 ppg), rebounding (9.6 rpg), steals (1.7 spg) and free throws made (160) and attempted (230). Furthermore, he now owns the school's single-season double-doubles record with 17 on the year. That number not only leads the league, but ranks 13th nationally (3/21). Additionally, he is averaging a double-double in NIT play, collecting 21.0 points and 13.0 rebounds a game in the event. The Louisiana-Lafayette transfer has led the Blazers in scoring and/or rebounding in 28 of their 33 games this season.
Senior forward Howard Crawford is second on the team with 12.0 points per contest, while Sanders adds 10.2 ppg and leads the team in three-pointers made (66) and attempted (179). Junior guard Aaron Johnson, who earned a spot on the C-USA third team and all-defensive squad, collects 9.8 points per game and leads the team and ranks third in the conference with 4.9 assists per game.
As a team, the Blazers are shooting 42.6 percent from the floor and 31.1 percent from beyond the arc this year. UAB also boasts a +5.1 advantage on the boards (36.7-31.6). Furthermore, the Blazers hold the opposition to 60.4 points a game, which is second in C-USA and ranks 20th nationally (as of 3/21), and have held 25 of their 33 opponents to 66 points or below.
Head coach Mike Davis is in his fourth season at the helm of the UAB basketball program and his 10th season as a head coach. He boasts a record of 85-47 (.644) at UAB and a 200-126 (.613) mark overall. He now owns a record of 70-31 (.693) over his last three seasons in Birmingham.
North Carolina, a No. 4 seed in the 2010 National Invitation Tournament, will play its second consecutive road game when to takes on second-seeded UAB on Tuesday night at Bartow Arena. The Tar Heels earned a spot in the NIT quarterfinals with an 80-72 opening round victory over William & Mary on March 16, followed by an impressive 76-74 road win at top-seeded Mississippi State last Saturday afternoon. Sophomore point guard Larry Drew II scored on a running layup with less than two second left to capture the victory.
Senior forward Deon Thompson leads the Tar Heels with 13.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per contest. Sophomore forward Ed Davis, who was Carolina's leading rebounder (9.6 rpg) and shot blocker (2.8 bpg) and second-leading scorer (13.4 ppg), was sidelined with a broked wrist suffered against Duke on Feb. 10.
Junior forward/guard Will Graves (9.5 ppg and 4.7 rpg) and sophomore forward Tyler Zeller (9.5 ppg and 4.8 rpg) have both helped pick up the slack on both ends of the floor. Drew averages 8.3 points per contest and a team-leading 6.0 assists per game.
As a team, UNC is shooting 44.6 percent from the floor, 33.7 percent from three-point range and 65.9 percent from the charity stripe. The Tar Heels outscore the competition by 3.0 points a game (75.4-72.4) and outrebound their opposition by 5.6 boards per contest (41.7-36.2). Carolina averages 15.7 assists a game, but turn the ball over an average of 15.1 times per contest.
Head coach Roy Williams is in his 22nd season as a head coach and seventh season at North Carolina. The 2007 Naismith Hall of Fame Inductee owns an overall record of 612-154 ( .799). He improved to 194-53 (.785) during his coaching tenure with the Tar Heels.
Quotables
UAB guard Aaron Johnson
On facing North Carolina tomorrow:
"This is a real big game and it's one of those games you dream about when you're a little kid watching them [UNC] play on TV all the time. I'm excited."
On the pressure of playing North Carolina:
"We are still relaxed. We know we are playing North Carolina and the name speaks volumes, but we are still relaxed about it. We know that this game is to go to the final four of the NIT, but we feel more relaxed than ever and are ready to play basketball."
On why UAB's played better the last two games:
"Probably because we don't have to deal with the RPI stuff and worrying about getting into the NCAA tournament. Now it's just all about winning. Before we had other things to worry about, now it's win or go home and we just want to keep winning so that we can keep playing. I think we're playing our best basketball right now."
UAB guard Elijah Millsap
On hosting North Carolina:
"It means a lot to our families, friends, the town and to the UAB program. Personally, it's just about taking care of business and trying to get to New York. It's a big deal to the fans, but it won't be a big deal when the ball is tossed up. We want to go into the game like we're the underdog and they're an ACC powerhouse."
On UAB's play so far in the NIT:
"We had some time to think and meditate on what we really wanted to do. We all came together and decided that we're not ready for the season to be over with so we banded together and played together and got back to the things that we were doing well at the beginning of the season like pressuring the ball, getting out on the transition and rebounding the ball.
On UAB's improved performance the last two games:
"We feel we can beat any team out there. It's still tough watching the NCAA tournament on TV, but we're embracing the role we have in the NIT and we're trying to win it all. We're just trying to take every game in stride."
UAB head coach Mike Davis:
On hosting North Carolina Tuesday:
"It's a great game for us because it gives us the opportunity to play for the championship in New York. Every game is a big deal for coaches. I know our fans are excited about it and they should be. Roy Williams is going to come in and bring a talented team, which is a great opportunity for our team.
On North Carolina's talent:
"They're probably one of the most talented teams that have come in here. Watching them on film, they're extremely talented and are playing well. Anytime you have a young team you have ups and downs. But to go into Mississippi State and win is pretty impressive. We need to block them out on the offensive boards and get back in transition because they're very good in transition."
On the hype surrounding tomorrow's game:
"We've been in this situation against UTEP and Memphis with the big crowd and all the circus that goes with it, and we didn't fare too well. We need to focus on the game plan and everything else will take care of itself.
Last Time Out
Elijah Millsap had 27 points and 15 rebounds, and UAB never trailed for the second consecutive NIT game in beating NC State 72-52 on Saturday. Second-seeded UAB tied the school record for wins in a season with the victory to improve to 25-8 on the season.
The Blazers made eight of their first 11 shots while jumping out to a 19-5 lead. They extended their advantage to 26-7, as the sixth-seeded Wolfpack committed nine turnovers in the first 12 minutes.
UAB led 37-17 at halftime. It was the fewest first-half points scored by NC State (20-16) this season.
UAB put away the Wolfpack behind Millsap, who scored 16 points in the first 11 minutes of the second half to help the Blazers build a 60-33 cushion.
Dennis Horner had 23 points and eight rebounds for NC State. He shot 7 of 12 from the field, while the rest of the team was a combined 12 for 41.
UAB When Playing Defending National Champions
When UAB takes on North Carolina in the NIT Quarterfinals on Tuesday night, it will mark the first time in school history the Blazers have played host to an NCAA defending national championship team. It is also the fourth time UAB has played a defending national champion in program history. The Blazers played the 1981 defending champion Indiana in the 1982 NCAA Tournament, defeating the Hoosiers, 80-70, on March 13, 1982. UAB then played 1990 defending champion UNLV, falling to the Runnin' Rebels, 109-68, on Dec. 1, 1990 in the Hoopfest `90 Tournament in Vancouver, Canada. Most recently, the Blazers played 2006 national champion Florida on Dec. 30, 2006 in Miami, Fla. in the Orange Bowl Classic, falling 75-70.
National Invitation Tournament Notes
• This marks the third straight season the UAB men's basketball team has made an appearance in the NIT. It is the first time in school history the Blazers have made three consecutive NITs.
• UAB has never lost a home game in the NIT, entering Tuesday's game with a perfect 6-0 record.• UAB has an all-time record of 14-10 in its previous 11 NIT appearances.
• Despite making its 11th NIT showing, this marks just the seventh time overall, and third time this year that UAB has played host to an opposing team in the event. The Blazers are a perfect 6-0 in home games in the NIT, including a 65-49 victory over Coastal Carolina on March 16 and a 72-52 win over NC State this past Saturday.
• This marks the third time UAB head coach Mike Davis has led the Blazers to an NIT, and it is his fourth appearance in the event as a head coach. Davis owns an all-time record of 3-2 in NIT games at UAB, and is 3-3 in such games during his 10-year coaching career.
• UAB has won 33 consecutive non-conference games at Bartow Arena dating back to a 92-76 loss to Western Kentucky on Nov. 29, 2005. Additionally, Mike Davis owns a 26-0 record against non-conference opponents at Bartow Arena during his four-year tenure at the helm of the Blazers.
UAB Earns 11th NIT Appearance In School History
With this year's invitation, UAB is making its third straight National Invitation Tournament appearance and 11th showing in school history. The No. 2 seeded Blazers will take on the No. 4 seed North Carolina Tar Heels on Tuesday night in the quarterfinals of this year's event. The winner of that contest will earn a trip to Madison Square Garden in New York City to compete at the NIT Final Four.
Blazers Have 14-10 Record In NIT
Following the Blazers' 72-52 victory over NC State on Saturday, UAB has a 14-10 (.583) record in all-time games played throughout its 11 NIT appearances. Twice - in 1989 and 1993 - the Blazers have advanced to the NIT Final Four in New York. On both occasions, UAB was defeated in the NIT semifinals, but came back to win the third place contest.
NIT Final Four Twice For Blazers
UAB has twice won three games in the NIT to advance to the semifinals in Madison Square Garden. In 1989, UAB advanced to the semifinals in New York where they lost to St. John's (76-65) before coming back to defeat Michigan State (78-76) in the third place game. Then, in 1993, the Blazers also reached the NIT semifinals, falling to Georgetown (45-41). Again, UAB rebounded to win the third place contest, defeating Providence by a 55-52 score for third place overall.
UAB Earns 11th NIT Appearance, 24th Postseason Appearance
UAB is making its 11th NIT appearance in school history in 2010. Combined with 13 NCAA Tournaments appearances in school history, the Blazers have recorded 24 overall postseason appearances in the 32 years of the men's basketball program.
UAB Hosting For Seventh Time In School History
The UAB men's basketball team has played 24 NIT games in school history. However, Tuesday night's home game against North Carolina in the quarterfinals of this year's event will mark just the seventh time overall, and third time this year, that the Blazers have hosted such a contest. Hosting an NIT game has been a good thing in the past, as UAB is a perfect 6-0 in postseason NIT contests played in Bartow Arena. Prior to this season, the last time the Blazers hosted an NIT contest came on March 19, 2003 when they defeated Louisiana-Lafayette, 82-80. The Blazers hosted back-to-back games in 1993 vs. Clemson (won 65-64 on 3/22/93 when Cliff Ellis was the Tigers' head coach) and vs. SW Missouri State (won 61-52 on 3/24/93). The Blazers hosted their first postseason NIT game on March 16, 1989 when they defeated Georgia Southern, 83-74.
