12-31-2004, 01:53 PM
Even THEY call us Alabama-Birmingham at one point in the article :bang:
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USA LOOKS TO SNAP THREE GAME SKID AGAINST IN-STATE RIVAL UAB
JAGS AND BLAZERS TO FACE FOR THE 40TH TIME ON FRIDAY
CONTACT: Tim Lutz
MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama men's basketball team will look to snap a three-game losing skid when it squares off with in-state and former Sun Belt Conference rival UAB Friday at the Mitchell Center.
The 40th all-time meeting between the schools is set to tip-off at 5 p.m. The game can be heard live on WNSP-FM 105.5, as well as at http://www.usajaguars.com. Live stats will also be available on the USA athletics website.
"UAB is going to be a very big challenge for us," third-year Jag head coach John Pelphrey said. "They had tremendous success last season and are off to an equally impressive start this season. Hopefully with the rivalry that we have developed with UAB, we can pack the Mitchell Center for what should be an exciting game."
USA (3-7) returns to the Mitchell Center after one of the most hectic trips of the season. In addition to dropping a 65-45 decision to Western Michigan, the Jags also faced flight delays and inclement weather earlier this week.
"We certainly had our share of troubles on this past trip," Pelphrey said. "However, we all made it back safely and it is good to be back home playing in front of our fans."
The Jags will look for continued strong play from both the inside and the outside against the Blazers. Freshman center Daniel Northern has started the last two games for the Jags at the post position. In the team's game against WMU, Northern led the team with 10 points and six rebounds in only 19 minutes of play.
Junior guards Mario Jointer and Jeffrey Collins have been the foundation of the Jags for much of the season. Collins, who transferred to South Alabama from UAB last season, played one of his best games as a Jag in the team's last game, recorded eight points and a team-high 10 rebounds. Jointer leads the team in scoring on the season, averaging 16.1 points per game. He will look to rebound from a nine-point performance against the Broncos.
One of the toughest tasks for South Alabama will be handling Alabama- Birmingham's tenacious defensive pressure.
"Although we play a similar style, very few teams play as fast as UAB," said Pelphrey. "They play a very up-tempo offense and apply intense defensive pressure. We will have to take care of the ball and hit our open shots to be successful tomorrow night."
UAB enters the game 8-3 on the young season, after earning a berth in last seasons Sweet 16 of the NCAA College Basketball Tournament. On the season, the Blazers has outscored their opponents by an average of 9.5 points per game, while forcing more than 20 turnovers per game.
The Blazers have been led by the Taylor brothers, Donell and Ronell. Donell currently leads the team with a 16.3 scoring average, while Ronell and Demario Eddins are tied for second, each averaging 11.7 points per game.
In last seasons meeting between the two schools, USA was unable to overcome a strong shooting night from Blazer forward Gabe Kennedy, who led all scorers with 19 points. The Jags were led by Michael Phillips' 14 points, while Chris Young chipped in 12 points.
Following the UAB game, the Jags will have six days off before hitting the road for the opening of Sun Belt Conference play. USAwill start conference play on Jan. 6, when it travels to Jonesboro, Ark., to face Arkansas State. South Alabama will continue its road
swing on Saturday, Jan. 8, when it takes on New Orleans.
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USA LOOKS TO SNAP THREE GAME SKID AGAINST IN-STATE RIVAL UAB
JAGS AND BLAZERS TO FACE FOR THE 40TH TIME ON FRIDAY
CONTACT: Tim Lutz
MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama men's basketball team will look to snap a three-game losing skid when it squares off with in-state and former Sun Belt Conference rival UAB Friday at the Mitchell Center.
The 40th all-time meeting between the schools is set to tip-off at 5 p.m. The game can be heard live on WNSP-FM 105.5, as well as at http://www.usajaguars.com. Live stats will also be available on the USA athletics website.
"UAB is going to be a very big challenge for us," third-year Jag head coach John Pelphrey said. "They had tremendous success last season and are off to an equally impressive start this season. Hopefully with the rivalry that we have developed with UAB, we can pack the Mitchell Center for what should be an exciting game."
USA (3-7) returns to the Mitchell Center after one of the most hectic trips of the season. In addition to dropping a 65-45 decision to Western Michigan, the Jags also faced flight delays and inclement weather earlier this week.
"We certainly had our share of troubles on this past trip," Pelphrey said. "However, we all made it back safely and it is good to be back home playing in front of our fans."
The Jags will look for continued strong play from both the inside and the outside against the Blazers. Freshman center Daniel Northern has started the last two games for the Jags at the post position. In the team's game against WMU, Northern led the team with 10 points and six rebounds in only 19 minutes of play.
Junior guards Mario Jointer and Jeffrey Collins have been the foundation of the Jags for much of the season. Collins, who transferred to South Alabama from UAB last season, played one of his best games as a Jag in the team's last game, recorded eight points and a team-high 10 rebounds. Jointer leads the team in scoring on the season, averaging 16.1 points per game. He will look to rebound from a nine-point performance against the Broncos.
One of the toughest tasks for South Alabama will be handling Alabama- Birmingham's tenacious defensive pressure.
"Although we play a similar style, very few teams play as fast as UAB," said Pelphrey. "They play a very up-tempo offense and apply intense defensive pressure. We will have to take care of the ball and hit our open shots to be successful tomorrow night."
UAB enters the game 8-3 on the young season, after earning a berth in last seasons Sweet 16 of the NCAA College Basketball Tournament. On the season, the Blazers has outscored their opponents by an average of 9.5 points per game, while forcing more than 20 turnovers per game.
The Blazers have been led by the Taylor brothers, Donell and Ronell. Donell currently leads the team with a 16.3 scoring average, while Ronell and Demario Eddins are tied for second, each averaging 11.7 points per game.
In last seasons meeting between the two schools, USA was unable to overcome a strong shooting night from Blazer forward Gabe Kennedy, who led all scorers with 19 points. The Jags were led by Michael Phillips' 14 points, while Chris Young chipped in 12 points.
Following the UAB game, the Jags will have six days off before hitting the road for the opening of Sun Belt Conference play. USAwill start conference play on Jan. 6, when it travels to Jonesboro, Ark., to face Arkansas State. South Alabama will continue its road
swing on Saturday, Jan. 8, when it takes on New Orleans.
