The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Championship Mentality Drives Blazers to Best Start Since 1981-82
1/10/2018 2:57:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Being 13-2 through 15 games does not come as much of a surprise to UAB head coach Randy Norton.
For Norton, it was somewhere he expected to be with the talent he has and the championship mindset he has instilled in each one of his players.
"We have recruited players here that came to win championships," Norton said. "To do that, they have bought into the fact that they have to live in the gym. Everybody in the country practices during their allotted time. But we have players that are here for hours outside of practice and it is great to see their work pay off. It is a credit to the players that we have here."
That extra effort has shown as the team has matched its best start in program history with the the 1981-82 squad, a group that went on to finish the season at 19-6.
One of the biggest contributing factors to their success is the Blazers' ability to shoot the deep ball, a part of UAB's game that has flourished under Coach Norton.
The Blazers currently lead the NCAA in 3-point shooting percentage, knocking down 41.8 percent (122-for-292) of their 3-point attempts. Sophomore Rachael Childress, the reigning Conference USA Freshman of the Year, has once again propelled UAB's offense in that category as she leads the league in 3-point field goal percentage (45.4 percent) and 3-point field goals made (49).
In just 45 career games, Childress has already made her way into the program's top-10 in career made 3-point baskets as she currently eighth all-time with 144 made 3-pointers in her career.
But while everyone knows that UAB is a dangerous shooting team, many are unaware of the team's ability to share the ball. The Blazers currently lead the league in assist/turnover ratio at 1.5, led by sophomore Miyah Barnes who has dished out 73 assists on the year and holds a league-best 2.9 assist/turnover ratio of her own.
"Everyone on our roster can score," Norton said. "If they were all selfish and concerned about their own points, you could have a train wreck. We have that group of young ladies that can all score, but are willing to pass up a good shot for a great shot. They really, genuinely, care about each other."
One of the most underrated aspects of this year's team is the production the Blazers are getting out of their post players. Sophomores Katelynn Thomas and Imani Johnson are both averaging over eight point a game at 8.6 points and 8.1 points, respectively, while senior Kara Rawls leads the team in rebounding, averaging 6.6 boards per contest.
"We are shooting the ball well because of their hard work in the preseason. Almost as important is that our post players are doing such a great job inside. Katelynn is shooting over 60 percent inside. Kara is over 50 percent. It is great to hear about everyone talking about our 3-point shooting, because that is just going to open up our post-play inside. We have great balance inside-outside"
Then there is the Blazers most experienced player and the team's true on-court coach: Deanna Kuzmanic.
Deanna has now started in every game of her career. 76 to be exact.
In her career, she is averaging 11.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Even more impressive is she has scored 847 career points, 153 away from becoming the Blazers' 29th player in the 1,000-point club.
With all of her experience on the court donning the Green and Gold, she knows the importance of the team's strong start.
"Everyone is really pleased with the success that we have had so far this season, but we are still hungry for more," Kuzmanic said. "We have only had two conference games so far, and yeah we won both, but we want to get a lot more wins in conference and get to the top.
It is really awesome to be part of history," the junior added. "Coach has told me and everyone that he has recruited here for a reason. I am pretty sure this is what he had in mind. It is cool to be able to put together the vision that we all had for this team."
UAB hosts WKU on Saturday, the reigning C-USA champions and winners of 11 games this season, including victories over Missouri and Middle Tennessee. The Lady Hilltoppers boast an RPI of 36, making Saturday's matchup a top-100 RPI matchup as the Blazers enter the contest with the No. 99 RPI in the nation.
But Norton is not interested in numbers. He is interested in having his team ready to play to the best of their ability, no matter who the opponent is.
"I do not look at our game with WKU any different than any other game," Norton said. "We are going to go out and play our best and if we win it, great. If we lose to the game, we will begin to get ready for the next game. We have great respect for WKU. They have a championship program and a tradition for years-and-years. Our girls are excited to play them."
That excitement has carried over to the players as well, but Kuzmanic knows that a big crowd will be key to a Blazer victory.
"A win on Saturday would be huge for us. We have been playing really well at home this season and when we have a crowd, that will make it even better. I really hope some of the crowd from some of the men's game before ours stay and checks us out too."
Saturday's game is slated for a 6:30 p.m. tip and will be televised on beIN Sports CONNECT. Fans who purchase a men's ticket will be able to stay for the women's game and will be treated to carnival games on the concourse, including face painting, as well as postgame autographs from the men's team.
For Norton, it was somewhere he expected to be with the talent he has and the championship mindset he has instilled in each one of his players.
"We have recruited players here that came to win championships," Norton said. "To do that, they have bought into the fact that they have to live in the gym. Everybody in the country practices during their allotted time. But we have players that are here for hours outside of practice and it is great to see their work pay off. It is a credit to the players that we have here."
That extra effort has shown as the team has matched its best start in program history with the the 1981-82 squad, a group that went on to finish the season at 19-6.
One of the biggest contributing factors to their success is the Blazers' ability to shoot the deep ball, a part of UAB's game that has flourished under Coach Norton.
The Blazers currently lead the NCAA in 3-point shooting percentage, knocking down 41.8 percent (122-for-292) of their 3-point attempts. Sophomore Rachael Childress, the reigning Conference USA Freshman of the Year, has once again propelled UAB's offense in that category as she leads the league in 3-point field goal percentage (45.4 percent) and 3-point field goals made (49).
In just 45 career games, Childress has already made her way into the program's top-10 in career made 3-point baskets as she currently eighth all-time with 144 made 3-pointers in her career.
But while everyone knows that UAB is a dangerous shooting team, many are unaware of the team's ability to share the ball. The Blazers currently lead the league in assist/turnover ratio at 1.5, led by sophomore Miyah Barnes who has dished out 73 assists on the year and holds a league-best 2.9 assist/turnover ratio of her own.
"Everyone on our roster can score," Norton said. "If they were all selfish and concerned about their own points, you could have a train wreck. We have that group of young ladies that can all score, but are willing to pass up a good shot for a great shot. They really, genuinely, care about each other."
One of the most underrated aspects of this year's team is the production the Blazers are getting out of their post players. Sophomores Katelynn Thomas and Imani Johnson are both averaging over eight point a game at 8.6 points and 8.1 points, respectively, while senior Kara Rawls leads the team in rebounding, averaging 6.6 boards per contest.
"We are shooting the ball well because of their hard work in the preseason. Almost as important is that our post players are doing such a great job inside. Katelynn is shooting over 60 percent inside. Kara is over 50 percent. It is great to hear about everyone talking about our 3-point shooting, because that is just going to open up our post-play inside. We have great balance inside-outside"
Then there is the Blazers most experienced player and the team's true on-court coach: Deanna Kuzmanic.
Deanna has now started in every game of her career. 76 to be exact.
In her career, she is averaging 11.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Even more impressive is she has scored 847 career points, 153 away from becoming the Blazers' 29th player in the 1,000-point club.
With all of her experience on the court donning the Green and Gold, she knows the importance of the team's strong start.
"Everyone is really pleased with the success that we have had so far this season, but we are still hungry for more," Kuzmanic said. "We have only had two conference games so far, and yeah we won both, but we want to get a lot more wins in conference and get to the top.
It is really awesome to be part of history," the junior added. "Coach has told me and everyone that he has recruited here for a reason. I am pretty sure this is what he had in mind. It is cool to be able to put together the vision that we all had for this team."
UAB hosts WKU on Saturday, the reigning C-USA champions and winners of 11 games this season, including victories over Missouri and Middle Tennessee. The Lady Hilltoppers boast an RPI of 36, making Saturday's matchup a top-100 RPI matchup as the Blazers enter the contest with the No. 99 RPI in the nation.
But Norton is not interested in numbers. He is interested in having his team ready to play to the best of their ability, no matter who the opponent is.
"I do not look at our game with WKU any different than any other game," Norton said. "We are going to go out and play our best and if we win it, great. If we lose to the game, we will begin to get ready for the next game. We have great respect for WKU. They have a championship program and a tradition for years-and-years. Our girls are excited to play them."
That excitement has carried over to the players as well, but Kuzmanic knows that a big crowd will be key to a Blazer victory.
"A win on Saturday would be huge for us. We have been playing really well at home this season and when we have a crowd, that will make it even better. I really hope some of the crowd from some of the men's game before ours stay and checks us out too."
Saturday's game is slated for a 6:30 p.m. tip and will be televised on beIN Sports CONNECT. Fans who purchase a men's ticket will be able to stay for the women's game and will be treated to carnival games on the concourse, including face painting, as well as postgame autographs from the men's team.
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard/Foward
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
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