Game: UAB (17-2, 5-0) vs. Tulsa (16-3, 5-0) Where: Bartow Arena (8,500)
Time: 7 p.m.
Radio: WUHT 107.7
TV: None
Series record: Tulsa leads 6-5. Won both games last year, 75-74 at Tulsa on a hook shot at the buzzer by Jerome Jordan, and 70-69 in the C-USA seminfinals at Memphis.
UAB probable starters:
G-Aaron Johnson 5'8" 185, Jr. 9.4 ppg., 2.8 rbg., 4.4 apg, 1.4 steals per game
G-Jamarr Sanders 6'4" 200, Jr. 10.7, 4.9, 2.6, 1.2 spg
G-Elijah Millsap 6'6" 210, Jr. 16.4, 9.5, 1.8, 1.9 spg
G-George Drake 6'4" 215, Sr. 7.7, 3.5, 0.9, 1.3 spg
F-Howard Crawford 6'8" 240, Sr. 12.5, 4.8, 0.8.
Key reserves:
C-Kenneth Cooper 6'10" 240, Sr. 5.4, 3.8, 0.3
F-Cameron Moore 6'10" 260, Soph. 3,4, 3.4, 0.8
Key players for Tulsa:
G- Ben Uzoh 6'3" 205 SR., 16.3 ppg, 4,2 apg
C-Jerome Jordan 7'0" 250, Sr., 14.3, 8.3, 2.8 blocks per game
G-Justin Hurtt- 6'4" 195 Jr. 14.7 ppg.
Last time out: Aaron Johnson nailed a tough floater with 5.6 seconds left to give the Blazers a 61-59 victory over previously undefeated Marshall (in the conference) on the road. Tulsa defeated SMU, 62-58 Sat. at home.
Analysis:
The Blazers just need to keep it going. Playing very exciting basketball, almost too exciting at times. But they won a couple of tough games last week and are 4-0 at Bartow against Tulsa.
Would be nice if they could get a comfortable victory and some of the younger guys could play. They will have to defend Jordan, the seven footer. That responsibility falls on Howard Crawford, Cameron Moore and Kenneth Cooper. Tulsa also has some good guards so perimeter defense will be important. The Blazers need to keep improving on their outside shooting. Maybe they can stroke it better tonight. They're good in the clutch, but would like to see more consistency there.
The conference is as good as it has been and this is a test. Tulsa has won its three games on the road against Houston, SMU and Oral Roberts. The Blazers will be at home which helps, but this could be another tough one.