The unofficial online home for fans of the UAB Blazers. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

(04-02-2018 09:57 AM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  

That's disappointing; I never like to see a good Blazer leave.

I think some of our fanbase forgets the freshman season for Lee, Cokley, Norton, and Sullivan and what was accomplished with a bunch of new faces. Having players leave due to a desire for more minutes isn't a bad thing; it means we have more players coming in who will compete immediately for playing time. Considering nearly 1,000 players transfer out of NCAA D1 programs each year, this may be the new norm.

Its going to be interesting to see where he ends up.

(04-02-2018 10:46 AM)UABslant Wrote:  I think some of our fanbase forgets the freshman season for Lee, Cokley, Norton, and Sullivan and what was accomplished with a bunch of new faces. Having players leave due to a desire for more minutes isn't a bad thing; it means we have more players coming in who will compete immediately for playing time. Considering nearly 1,000 players transfer out of NCAA D1 programs each year, this may be the new norm.

I agree.

There were several times this past season I thought Perry should have been starting ahead of Darling, and then Darling would make a three or throw a perfect pass for an assist.

Norton underperformed this past season, but after the knee injury it was to be expected.

I will miss both players. However, I believe these two transfers are an indication of better talent coming to UAB.

Wonder what's the most we've had transfer out in the same off season? Four has to be getting close.

What's the deal with Hurtado? I thought he was pretty highly recruited before singing with UAB? Has his game just not progressed to this level?

(04-02-2018 09:32 AM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  

(04-02-2018 05:32 AM)TheGORILLA Wrote:  Just like I mentioned before, the game has evolved into a three point shooting game and has steered away from a battle in the paint. The most successful teams this season who have advanced the farthest into the NCAA Tournament have clearly been the teams who have multiple players who attempt/make three point shots. Villanova proved that to be so true in the semi finals of the Final Four.

Now, practically every coach in the country are convinced that they should steer towards recruiting and signing players who are all capable of shooting the three point shot and offensive schemes being primarily designed for all five players on the court to shoot the three point shot at will and/or when open enough to shoot the three.

If it was me, and I would be hated, I would do away with the three point line and every shot on the court would be worth two points, just as the game was originally designed.

As for now, the best and most likely players to recruit/sign are the players who are most capable of shooting the three and being quick and athletic enough to defend against the three.

Let's put the peach baskets back up too

Yea! Also when Naismith originally designed the game, it allowed an unlimited number of players, equally split into two teams to be on the court on each team. That too!

(04-02-2018 11:20 AM)BlazerGreen Wrote:  Wonder what's the most we've had transfer out in the same off season? Four has to be getting close.

Pretty sure that's a record for willing transfers; Mike Davis probably lost more than that to failures, cheating and narcolepsy during his Great Collapse.

(04-02-2018 11:24 AM)BlazintheATL Wrote:  What's the deal with Hurtado? I thought he was pretty highly recruited before singing with UAB? Has his game just not progressed to this level?

Redshirted I thought, therefore did not play this season unless I missed something.

(04-02-2018 11:58 AM)the_blazerman Wrote:  

(04-02-2018 11:24 AM)BlazintheATL Wrote:  What's the deal with Hurtado? I thought he was pretty highly recruited before singing with UAB? Has his game just not progressed to this level?

Redshirted I thought, therefore did not play this season unless I missed something.

He did redshirt but from what I've heard/read he's not ready to contribute.

I wonder if Ehsan told Norton and Darling they were going to have to earn every minute this year. There is a lot of talent coming in, and i could see pt becoming an issue.

Wonder how much of it is that they were buddies with Smallwood & Lavender?

(04-02-2018 12:11 PM)the_blazerman Wrote:  Wonder how much of it is that they were buddies with Smallwood & Lavender?

That’s another aspect to consider too.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/sports/1558...eaving-uab

(04-02-2018 12:12 PM)blazers9911 Wrote:  

(04-02-2018 12:11 PM)the_blazerman Wrote:  Wonder how much of it is that they were buddies with Smallwood & Lavender?

That’s another aspect to consider too.

I think it was a big factor.

(04-02-2018 12:41 PM)Jball Wrote:  

(04-02-2018 12:12 PM)blazers9911 Wrote:  

(04-02-2018 12:11 PM)the_blazerman Wrote:  Wonder how much of it is that they were buddies with Smallwood & Lavender?

That’s another aspect to consider too.

I think it was a big factor.

That would point to some serious team chemistry issues, in my mind. Why would upperclassmen starters leave because a couple of bench players (one a garbage time player) transfer? Friends or not, that seems extreme to me.

(04-02-2018 12:54 PM)iam4uab Wrote:  

(04-02-2018 12:41 PM)Jball Wrote:  

(04-02-2018 12:12 PM)blazers9911 Wrote:  

(04-02-2018 12:11 PM)the_blazerman Wrote:  Wonder how much of it is that they were buddies with Smallwood & Lavender?

That’s another aspect to consider too.

I think it was a big factor.

That would point to some serious team chemistry issues, in my mind. Why would upperclassmen starters leave because a couple of bench players (one a garbage time player) transfer? Friends or not, that seems extreme to me.

They were really close friends. Having attended other sporting events, it was not unusual to see them all hang out together...

I still don't see anyone posting that it's confirmed that Norton is transferring. Has it been confirmed or not??

Also, I'm shocked that both are leaving honestly (if Norton is confirmed).

Hopefully the incoming talent cant outclass what we have leaving. I think this points to major locker room issues. That combined with lackluster results from Ehsan makes me very pessimistic as to our results for next year.

What happened to Hurtado? Is he going to be ready to play next year?? extremely strange to see a 3 star fairly highly recruited player not even ready to contribute by this point.

I think what we are seeing has a lot to do with our collapse during CUSA play. Not that any one person was malignant but I’m getting the impression that there was a malignant attitude festering on the team during CUSA play and perhaps a little before that. Whatever the reason, we will see a totally different team next year. And I’m not too sad about that. The chemistry just wasn’t there last year outside of a moment here and there.

(04-02-2018 10:46 AM)UABslant Wrote:  I think some of our fanbase forgets the freshman season for Lee, Cokley, Norton, and Sullivan and what was accomplished with a bunch of new faces.

And by what they accomplished you mean...won 3 more games than we lost (thanks to a top-heavy conference - 9 out of 14 teams were .500 or below in conference play), won our hometown C-USA tournament (thanks, in part, to playing a 16-15 team in the final), and then won an NCAA game...all on the back of Robert Brown.