The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
LOOKING TO CORRAL THE HERD AGAIN
2/9/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
February 9, 2011
Blazer fans,
Greetings from Huntington, WV, where it's cold, gray and snowy...from the department of redundancy department. I'm blogging from the Blazers' shoot-around at the Cam Henderson Center. The Green and Gold are looking for a season sweep of Marshall here tonight. You may remember the slugfest between the two teams two weeks ago at Bartow Arena. UAB rallied in the closing minutes for a 60-56 win, thanks to a stifling defense, some clutch "smart" shooting, and an enthused crowd in the Magic City.
There will be an enthused crowd here tonight in Huntington...The Herd has averaged over 6,600 for C-USA home games this season, and their last appearance at the Henderson Center produced an 85-70 win over Memphis. Marshall is 3-5 in the league at this point and has an RPI in the mid-60s...one of seven C-USA teams with an RPI under 100. For what it's worth, the Blazers, as of today, have the league's best RPI at 37...it's a shame this league doesn't get more credit from the national "experts."
It should be another battle here tonight. The good news for the Green and Gold is they've won their last three on the road this season, and they've also won their last two in Huntington. Let's hope the UAB defense that limited Tulane to 39 points in New Orleans on Saturday made the trip to West Virginia. UAB will need another great defensive effort, along with solid execution on offense and a relentless attack on the boards to get a win here this evening.
As a side note, should Aaron Johnson run the offense the way we've grown accustomed to seeing him run it, history could be made. He needs only 10 assists to take over the top spot in the UAB record book for career assists. I'm a greedy person, so I'm going to hope that the Blazers get a win and A.J. gets NINE assists tonight. I'd really love for him to set the record at home on Saturday with the man he'll pass, Steve Mitchell, in attendance and able to give him a hand.
Speaking of Saturday, Rice will be in town for a 7 PM tip at Bartow Arena. The Owls are much-improved and have already picked up two road wins this season. After tonight, UAB will have six games left in the regular season...an even split with three at home and three on the road. A win over Marshall would put the Blazers in a second-place tie with Southern Miss, one game back of UTEP. Both the Miners and the Golden Eagles have the night off.
One other reminder for Blazer fans...PLEASE come out tomorrow night for the annual "Pink Zone" game promoting Breast Cancer Awareness. The UAB women will be entertaining Tulsa in an 8 PM tip-off, and you can get a free ticket to the game at any Birmingham-area Full Moon BBQ with the purchase of a meal. There will be another auction on the concourse during the game, and all proceeds will go to the Gene Bartow Fund for Cancer Research at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center. It's a special night...a great cause...and a chance for you to support the women's team AND help UAB in the fight against cancer.
Well, the shoot-around is wrapping up here in Huntington. The Blazers will head back to the hotel to rest up for tonight's game, and a nap may be in my future! We'll be on the air at 5:30 PM central with pre-game, and tip time is 6 PM on the Blazer Sports Network.
Have a great day...stay warm...and GO BLAZERS!!!
DC
