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Beginning Monday, June 21st,
2004 CHN began unveiling 144 Team previews in 144 Days. CHN ranked the
nations top 144 teams, and is unveiling one per day leading up until the
opening day of the 2004-05 Season.
Bookmark the
144 Teams in 144 Days home page, and check back
each day to see which team is previewed next.
#41 UAB Blazers
CUSA
2003-04: 22-10, 12-4, 5th
2003-04 postseason: NCAA Sweet
Sixteen
By
Joel Welser
 After UAB beat Washington 100-98
in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last year, most of us thought the
Blazers needed to score more then 76 to beat the top seeded Wildcats of
Kentucky. UAB managed to win that “low” scoring game 76-75. The run and
gun offense isn’t just about scoring. The defense is stubborn and UAB is
here to stay with head coach Mike Anderson signing a new five year deal with
the school. The Blazers will remain one of the most exciting teams to watch
in the nation.
Who’s Out: Leading scorer
Morris Finley will be missed. The shooting guard averaged 13.9 points per
game. He had a point guard’s body at 5-11, but fit in nicely in the UAB
style of offense. Big man Gabe Kennedy was really the only traditional low
post scorer on the team. He averaged 11.4 points and 5.3 rebounds his
senior year. Sidney Ball wasn’t much of a scorer but his defense and
rebounds proved to be very valuable during UAB’s late season run. Sparingly
used Tony Johnson and Lee Cobb have also run out of eligibility.
Who’s In: Power forward
Frank Holmes should step in immediately and help out the frontcourt,
especially on the glass. Demario Eddins will start at one spot up front,
but Holmes should compete with returnees Marques Lewis, Ernest Little and
Brandon Tobias for some time in the frontcourt. Junior college transfer
Marvett McDonald and incoming freshman Paul Delaney will fight for minutes
in an already crowded backcourt. Both newcomers attack the basket well and
should fit in nicely with the style of UAB. With Carldell Johnson, the
Taylor twins, Richard Jones and Derrick Broom all returning though, there
won’t be too much room for the newcomers to make an impact in 2004-2005.
Who to Watch: If you have
the most exciting player on the most exciting team and throw in a nickname
like ‘Squeaky,’ you have yourself an immediate fan favorite. Carldell
‘Squeaky’ Johnson is just that guy. He may get overlooked some because he’s
not the scoring threat that Donell and Ronell Taylor are, but Squeaky is the
heart and soul of this team. As a sophomore last year, he averaged 4.8
points and 4.3 assists per game. Once Squeaky saw his minutes increase half
way through the season, his numbers got much more impressive. Johnson led
the nation in assist/turnover ratio. He’s a great passer and a smart
passer. Squeaky is even fun to watch on defense. Annoying might be the
best word to describe his defensive style. He won’t leave you alone until
he steals the ball or you put up a bad shot. Squeaky’s 2.2 steals per game
was good enough for third in the conference.
Projected Conference Rank:
The inside game is lacking, but that fits the style the Blazers run.
Opposing teams in the CUSA are taking notice of that style and should be
able to think of ways to stop the Blazers fast-paced offense and tenacious
defense. UAB isn’t going away though and a 4th place finish in
the conference and another trip to the NCAA Tournament will have plenty of
fans happy once again in Birmingham.
Projected Post-season
Tournament: NCAA
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Email Joel Welser:
jwelser_chn@ameritech.net
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