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

(01-18-2014 11:41 PM)KevMo4UAB Wrote:  

(01-18-2014 10:35 PM)Native Georgian Wrote:  I think you'll be favored @UNT. At worst, UNT favored by 1 or 2. UAB is by far the better team and if the Blazers are focused they will win easily.

Going up @Tulsa will be a different story, but let's see what happens Thursday first.

Prior to today's games, KenPom.com had North Texas favored by 2 and Tulsa by 4.

http://masseyratings.com/team.php?t=5584&s=203290
Link shows UNT's game-by-game results so far. Based on past performance they should not be favored against a team ranked in the 100-120 range.

We were BAD a year ago. This year we are competitive in most of the games we've played. We've come up short in a few close games, and that happens. But some may need to step back from the ledge. Most of the optimistic folks were hoping for an NIT bid this year. Given the schedule, most of us knew an NCAA bid was going to be a tall order and shouldn't be expected this year.

In general, yes, I expect UAB to be an NCAA tournament team. But we had a significant set back a year or two ago and we're trying to get back on track. I'm pleased with the progress. We're not where we want to be just yet, and I think Haase would be the first to admit that. But you can't deny there is significant progress and with the incoming class, the sky is the limit.

It's also important to keep in mind the season isn't over. UAB, MTSU, Charlotte, UTEP, USM are likely to beat up on each other. And alot of the other middle of the pack teams will pull some upsets and throw a wrench in the picture here and there as well. Long time to go before I'm wiling to concede the season.

There was more physical contact in Tim Floyds rant than most of the fouls they called on UAB. Oh well.

(01-18-2014 11:26 PM)tibber Wrote:  So to sum up, we just lost to a short handed team full of freshmen. At home. But we're moving in the right direction, though.

Does the sun ever shine in your world?

(01-19-2014 12:03 AM)BlazeNBham Wrote:  There was more physical contact in Tim Floyds rant than most of the fouls they called on UAB. Oh well.

I had the chance to watch him in several games when he was at UNO 20 years ago. In that respect, at least, he hasn't changed a bit.

He should have been T'ed up at the end, about twice.

(01-18-2014 11:49 PM)BlazeNBham Wrote:  

(01-18-2014 11:46 PM)The Answer UAB Wrote:  If we don't AT LEAST make the tourney next year, then something's wrong..

Its gonna be a team full of freshmen and Sophomores. Besides Frazier, CJ, Brown, and Rideau.

Were Returning two of our best Juco players we've had in a long time, one of whom could win cusa player of the year this season. We also have a solid, junior ACC transfer player coming in. Two of our current freshman are getting solid minutes this year and playing well. We have a top 70 national recruit coming joined with a class full of great players.

If not next year, then when will we get to the tourney?

Barring injuries or some sort of natural disaster, next year is our year.

This team is better than last year and should halt the string of losing seasons. However, I have some concern over how I see Haase building his roster. Namely, where is the perimeter game? Calhoun is the only perimeter shooter we have signed for next year and we still need a point guard as well. Robert Brown shot 23% from 3 his sophomore year at VT and is more of a slasher.

Given our lack of threats from the perimeter, and our poor shooting last year, it's frustrating that a Juco SG is buried on the end of the bench. So next year Riddeau will have one year left to play and very little meaningful experience. Could have really used a contributor at that spot.

(01-19-2014 12:25 AM)BlazerGreen Wrote:  This team is better than last year and should halt the string of losing seasons. However, I have some concern over how I see Haase building his roster. Namely, where is the perimeter game? Calhoun is the only perimeter shooter we have signed for next year and we still need a point guard as well. Robert Brown shot 23% from 3 his sophomore year at VT and is more of a slasher.

Given our lack of threats from the perimeter, and our poor shooting last year, it's frustrating that a Juco SG is buried on the end of the bench. So next year Riddeau will have one year left to play and very little meaningful experience. Could have really used a contributor at that spot.

He does practice, doesn't he. The coaches can tell if he will contribute in games by how he contributes in practices.

(01-19-2014 12:31 AM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  

(01-19-2014 12:25 AM)BlazerGreen Wrote:  This team is better than last year and should halt the string of losing seasons. However, I have some concern over how I see Haase building his roster. Namely, where is the perimeter game? Calhoun is the only perimeter shooter we have signed for next year and we still need a point guard as well. Robert Brown shot 23% from 3 his sophomore year at VT and is more of a slasher.

Given our lack of threats from the perimeter, and our poor shooting last year, it's frustrating that a Juco SG is buried on the end of the bench. So next year Riddeau will have one year left to play and very little meaningful experience. Could have really used a contributor at that spot.

He does practice, doesn't he. The coaches can tell if he will contribute in games by how he contributes in practices.

I'm not doubting he is where he should be during the games. I'm just saying it was a recruiting miss at a position of need for our team. Also, you only have juco's for two seasons. Football or basketball, you need for those guys not to be buried on the bench.

(01-19-2014 12:03 AM)BlazeNBham Wrote:  There was more physical contact in Tim Floyds rant than most of the fouls they called on UAB. Oh well.

Haha post of the year. Well done sir.

(01-19-2014 12:25 AM)BlazerGreen Wrote:  This team is better than last year and should halt the string of losing seasons. However, I have some concern over how I see Haase building his roster. Namely, where is the perimeter game? Calhoun is the only perimeter shooter we have signed for next year and we still need a point guard as well. Robert Brown shot 23% from 3 his sophomore year at VT and is more of a slasher.

Given our lack of threats from the perimeter, and our poor shooting last year, it's frustrating that a Juco SG is buried on the end of the bench. So next year Riddeau will have one year left to play and very little meaningful experience. Could have really used a contributor at that spot.

Here's a thought.. Maybe Haase isn't building his roster to rely on the 3 ball? Washington is a pretty good 3 point shooter. Frazier is too. If Calhoun is decent, that's 3 we'll have on the roster next year. Brown wasn't a great 3 point shooter at VT, but remember, he was playing in the ACC then. We'll also have the guys on the bench this year, Sullivan, and any other guys we add during the next signing period.

I'm pretty sure that if you were told a year and a half ago we would have this size, you would have been thrilled:

6'4" CG(SR) 6'5" SG(RS JR) 6'8" F(SR) 6'8" F(FR) 6'9"(SO) C 6'8" F(F) 6'7"(F)
That doesn't include Watts, Rideau, Madison, Calhoun, or anybody else we may get. Some people just had unrealistic expectations of how quickly Haase should turn this program around. We'll be fine, he is laying a solid foundation.

I'm not surprised that we've had two heartbreaking losses in conference. Too many good teams at the top. I just wish they didn't come in the first three games of conference play.

if swing was shooting like last year we will be with only one lost this year (temple)
I am hoping that swing will become hot in cusa tournament