READY FOR C-USA

Jan. 7, 2011

Blazer fans,

I hope you all had a very happy Holiday Season. The New Year started with the final non-conference game of the season for the Green and Gold, and what a way to wrap things up! It's not every day you get to face the defending national champions AND the number one team in the country all in the same night. The game with Duke was a memorable experience for everyone, regardless of the outcome, and we hope it's a learning experience for the players, as well.

Cameron Indoor Stadium is unique...in a good way. You would never know you were looking at it from the outside, unless you saw the sign in front. The architecture on Duke's campus is striking, and both times I've been there, I felt like I was somewhere in Europe, touring old castles. Inside Cameron, you can feel why it's such a special place. The brass hand rails give it a classy feel, and the coziness of the seating arrangement adds to the intimidation factor. It does feel like the fans are breathing down your neck...just ask Steve Irvine, our outstanding beat writer for The Birmingham News, who got to sit inches away from the Cameron Crazies.

As for the game, well, UAB had a good start! Then the Blue Devils showed why they are one of the elite teams in basketball. Duke raced out to a huge lead and never let the Blazers get closer than 14 points the rest of the way. I may be totally wrong...it has happened before...once...but I can't fathom a team beating Duke. It will take a perfect performance from a really, really good team...probably on the road...and the Blue Devils will have to have a horrendous night shooting. All those ingredients are possible, but I do think Coach K has one mighty fine team.

I also think UAB will learn from the experience. The Blazers won't play a better team the rest of the way, and they won't endure a more overwhelming home-court advantage. I was proud of the way the Green and Gold settled down after the Duke blitz and went toe-to-toe with the Blue Devils for about 30 minutes. Mike Davis remains very upbeat about his team, and I think the coach is eager to see how they take the Duke experience and grow from it.

We may get to see some early returns tomorrow with the start of Conference USA action. The Blazers have the benefit of starting league play at home, where we all know how tough they've been over the years. They will want to defend their turf against UTEP for any number of reasons. One, it's a conference game. Two, it's the only meeting of the year between the Blazers and the Miners. And three, I think last year's double-overtime loss to UTEP still stings...I bet Aaron Johnson's nose started hurting the minute he began focusing his energy on UTEP.

The Miners have a new look with Tim Floyd as their new head coach, and while some of the cast of characters, no pun intended, is gone, Randy Culpepper is back...for his 9th season, it seems. UTEP won the league crown a year ago, and UAB would love to be the top dog this season. And there's no better way to start the C-USA season than by knocking off the champs.

PLEASE be with us at Bartow Arena tomorrow afternoon. Tip time is 3 PM, and our pre-game coverage begins at 2:30 PM. Heck, it may be the last time you can get out before Winter Storm 2011 hits! It's also the last time UAB will be at home for a week and a half, so don't miss the opportunity.

Have a great weekend...stay warm...enjoy the snow and/or ice...and GO BLAZERS!!!
DC

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics

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