The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Basketball Blog - Donnie Marsh
2/13/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 13, 2011
Quite a bit to blog about today. I guess the topic on most Blazer fans' minds is the injury to and status of Cam's hand. It was one of the flukiest (if that's a word) injuries I have witnessed in all my years in the profession. It happened during post/perimeter breakdown drills. The posts were working on interior two-on-two defense and block outs - areas we have seen some improvement but where more is definitely needed. While on offense and trying to come off a screen I believe, his hand was caught rather innocently on a teammate's leg. I don't think anyone thought it was anything too serious until he continued to wince in pain. Our trainer Bryan Koch checked it out and immediately put plans in motion to get it evaluated. It was determined to be broken and he was in surgery the next morning. We practiced Friday without him but it's very difficult to have a seamless transition when you lose the numbers and presence Cam brings to the team in just 24 hours. I thought our kids struggled early trying to make that transition, but found a way in the second half versus Rice to grind out an important win. It's not just the physical aspect of replacing Cam in that short a period of time but there is also an emotional component that can't be overlooked. It takes time to adjust to that as well. Now, with a game and two practices under our belts heading into our next game, we should be more comfortable with the rotation of players we will use, and the players should be better prepared to assume their adjusted roles. I know Cam wants to get back as soon as possible and we will welcome him back whenever the doctors and trainer give him the clearance to go full tilt. In the meantime there is an opportunity for some other guys to step into the rotation or to have an increase in their minutes to help us weather this situation.
I really want to commend our guys on their nearly flawless execution of both the defensive and offensive game plans in our game against Marshall last week. That was a clear indication of physical, mental and emotional toughness being put to the test and our guys passed with flying colors. I think Marshall was stunned to be frank. But it showed our guys what they are capable of doing when we bring those three elements to the fight. Clearly we'll need to do that again on Wednesday night when we go into Memphis. The encouraging part of that is the times we have been most consistent in our physical, mental and emotional toughness have been on the road. I wish I knew why that is but I'll take it for now until we can figure it out. Expect some subtle adjustments from this point forward. Expect a collective effort from our guys that reflect the fact that we are in a great position to reach the goals we set at the beginning of the year. Expect your Blazers to continue "bringing the fight". And I'll expect to see the tremendous support you guys have given us all season long at home and on the road. How's this, you step your game up over the next few weeks and we'll do the same. Let's work together to compensate for the loss of one of our key contributors until we can get him back on the floor. Thanks for all you do for our program. GO BLAZERS!!!
