01-27-2007, 10:50 AM
Mike Anderson’s First Game at Bartow
The Date:
Here is a rarity. UAB has never won a game on January 27. This date is the only date in January that the Blazers are winless. The Blazers have only played three games on this date and surprisingly, all three games lost have been at home. In 1979 on this date, UAB lost to Jacksonville by the score of 84-76. We will look at the other two games in detail.
UAB vs. Arkansas – January 27, 1990
On this date in 1990, Mike Anderson coached his first game in Bartow Arena. However, it was as an assistant coach to the Arkansas Razorbacks that brought Anderson to Bartow Arena. Also on Nolan Richardson’s coaching staff that year was future assistant UAB coach, Scott Edgar. Arkansas came into Bartow Arena ranked #6 in the Associated Press Poll. Gene Bartow’s coaching strategy was different from Bartow’s usual strategy when playing a team with superior talent. Usually Bartow would slow the ball down and try to win with defense. This time, Coach Bartow decided to take it directly at the Razorbacks and play the up tempo game. Despite being down by as much as 10 points in the first half, the Blazers had cut the lead to one point at halftime, 51-50 Arkansas.
UAB managed to take a four point lead with 12 minutes to go in the game, but down the stretch, Arkansas took the lead and pulled away. Arkansas won the game 109-95. The free throws were the difference in this game as Arkansas shot 31 of 37 for the game, including 10 of 25 in the second half. UAB shot 12 of 17 for the game, and only had three opportunities at the line in the second half.
Todd Day led all scorers with 25 points and Lee Mayberry had 23 points including 10 for 10 at the line. The Blazers was led by Barry Bearden with 18 points and Jack Kramer with 17 points. Kramer would have a double-double as he had 11 of the 30 assists that UAB had in the game. Elbert Rogers also had 17 points and Larry Rembert had 13. I wonder if Mike Anderson had any idea that the next game he would coach at Bartow Arena would be as head coach of the Blazers 12 years later.
UAB vs. Memphis – January 27, 2001
The last game we played on this date was against Memphis in 2001. John Calipari was in his first year at Memphis and the Tigers were on a seven game win streak. UAB came into the game with a 10-8 record and Memphis was 11-8. Attendance was listed as 5854, which was respectable considering the game was played on Super Bowl Sunday.
The Blazers led 51-43 after PJ Arnold, playing against his hometown team for the first time hit a three point shot, his third trey on a 17-2 Blazer run in five minutes. The Tigers answered with a 17-9 run during the last ten minutes of regulation.
As the game wound down, the Blazers made a series of costly mistakes that cost them the game. The Blazers had the ball with 42 seconds left and the lead at 60-58. One would think the plan would be to work the clock, but this Murry Bartow team featured Leandrew Bass, who never saw a lane that couldn’t be driven. Bass, who before the game, had guaranteed victory in the media, took the inbounds pass and quickly drove the length of the court and missed an off balance layup. Instead of working time off the clock, he gave the ball back to Memphis with a chance to win or put the game into overtime. With 13 seconds left, Scooter McFagdon put back a missed shot that tied the game at 60. UAB would have the last shot. Bass now had a chance to make good on his guarantee and correct his blunder, but his shot fell short, and Arnold’s follow-up missed as well. After the game, Murry Bartow was asked why Bass had not worked the clock down. Bartow responded that Bass was “trying to make a play” and did not fault him for it.
In overtime, both teams traded points until Memphis had the lead at 76-73 and the ball with four seconds to go. Marcus Moody was fouled and missed both free throws. The Blazers had one last chance. LeAndrew Bass was dizzy from a deliberate elbow that he had received in the face from a Memphis player. The flagrant foul was not called even though everyone in the arena witnessed it, with the possible exceptions of the referees and Murry Bartow. Otherwise, why would Bass have taken the last shot. Bass brought the ball down court. Instead of passing the ball to a wide open PJ Arnold who had made 4 of 9 three point attempts, Bass forced up a shot with a Memphis defender on him. His shot fell short, and the Tigers with a 76-73 overtime win. PJ Arnold stomped off the court in frutstration. When asked about the last few seconds after the game, Arnold smiled and said “Next question.” It was obvious the wheels was coming off of Murry’s bus. The Tigers were led by Kelly Wise with 18 points. LeAndrew Bass was UAB’s leading scorer with 21 points.
The Opponent: 5-1
UAB has a short history with East Carolina, with the first game coming in 2002. The Blazers is 5-1 against the Pirates, with the only loss coming at home in 2005 by the score of 67-64.
UAB vs. East Carolina – February 11, 2006
UAB’s last game against the Pirates came last year at Bartow Arena on February 11. The Blazers entered the game 16-5 and 6-2 in CUSA play. East Carolina was 7-14 and 1-7 in CUSA play.
UAB was glad to be home after playing miserably in El Paso and losing their second conference game of the year to UTEP by the score of 65-37. In the first half of this game, both teams shot poorly and the Blazers led 28-25 at halftime. Coming out of the break, UAB went on a 7-0 run to take a 35-25 point lead. East Carolina was never able to recover, but did get the score down to 52-48 with a dunk by Corey Rouse. However, a jumper by Marvett McDonald and three free throws by Brandon Tobias put the Blazers in control to stay. UAB won the game 72-64. Marvett McDonald scored 15 of his 18 points in the second half to lead the Blazers in scoring. Wen Mukubu and Paul Delaney each had 12 points and Lawrence Kinnard hit 5 of his 7 shots to score 10 points.
The Place:
The Blazers are 2-0 in Greenville, North Carolina. They won by three points, 71-68 in 2004 and by the score of 76-64 in 2005.
The Bench:
Ricky Stokes is in his second year as coach of the Pirates. Stokes played a small part in one of UAB’s greatest games. He was a sophomore guard on the 1982 Virginia team that UAB defeated in the NCAA Tournament to advance to the Elite Eight. Stokes went 1-3 for two points and three rebounds. He is 0-1 against the Blazers as a coach.
The Date:
Here is a rarity. UAB has never won a game on January 27. This date is the only date in January that the Blazers are winless. The Blazers have only played three games on this date and surprisingly, all three games lost have been at home. In 1979 on this date, UAB lost to Jacksonville by the score of 84-76. We will look at the other two games in detail.
UAB vs. Arkansas – January 27, 1990
On this date in 1990, Mike Anderson coached his first game in Bartow Arena. However, it was as an assistant coach to the Arkansas Razorbacks that brought Anderson to Bartow Arena. Also on Nolan Richardson’s coaching staff that year was future assistant UAB coach, Scott Edgar. Arkansas came into Bartow Arena ranked #6 in the Associated Press Poll. Gene Bartow’s coaching strategy was different from Bartow’s usual strategy when playing a team with superior talent. Usually Bartow would slow the ball down and try to win with defense. This time, Coach Bartow decided to take it directly at the Razorbacks and play the up tempo game. Despite being down by as much as 10 points in the first half, the Blazers had cut the lead to one point at halftime, 51-50 Arkansas.
UAB managed to take a four point lead with 12 minutes to go in the game, but down the stretch, Arkansas took the lead and pulled away. Arkansas won the game 109-95. The free throws were the difference in this game as Arkansas shot 31 of 37 for the game, including 10 of 25 in the second half. UAB shot 12 of 17 for the game, and only had three opportunities at the line in the second half.
Todd Day led all scorers with 25 points and Lee Mayberry had 23 points including 10 for 10 at the line. The Blazers was led by Barry Bearden with 18 points and Jack Kramer with 17 points. Kramer would have a double-double as he had 11 of the 30 assists that UAB had in the game. Elbert Rogers also had 17 points and Larry Rembert had 13. I wonder if Mike Anderson had any idea that the next game he would coach at Bartow Arena would be as head coach of the Blazers 12 years later.
UAB vs. Memphis – January 27, 2001
The last game we played on this date was against Memphis in 2001. John Calipari was in his first year at Memphis and the Tigers were on a seven game win streak. UAB came into the game with a 10-8 record and Memphis was 11-8. Attendance was listed as 5854, which was respectable considering the game was played on Super Bowl Sunday.
The Blazers led 51-43 after PJ Arnold, playing against his hometown team for the first time hit a three point shot, his third trey on a 17-2 Blazer run in five minutes. The Tigers answered with a 17-9 run during the last ten minutes of regulation.
As the game wound down, the Blazers made a series of costly mistakes that cost them the game. The Blazers had the ball with 42 seconds left and the lead at 60-58. One would think the plan would be to work the clock, but this Murry Bartow team featured Leandrew Bass, who never saw a lane that couldn’t be driven. Bass, who before the game, had guaranteed victory in the media, took the inbounds pass and quickly drove the length of the court and missed an off balance layup. Instead of working time off the clock, he gave the ball back to Memphis with a chance to win or put the game into overtime. With 13 seconds left, Scooter McFagdon put back a missed shot that tied the game at 60. UAB would have the last shot. Bass now had a chance to make good on his guarantee and correct his blunder, but his shot fell short, and Arnold’s follow-up missed as well. After the game, Murry Bartow was asked why Bass had not worked the clock down. Bartow responded that Bass was “trying to make a play” and did not fault him for it.
In overtime, both teams traded points until Memphis had the lead at 76-73 and the ball with four seconds to go. Marcus Moody was fouled and missed both free throws. The Blazers had one last chance. LeAndrew Bass was dizzy from a deliberate elbow that he had received in the face from a Memphis player. The flagrant foul was not called even though everyone in the arena witnessed it, with the possible exceptions of the referees and Murry Bartow. Otherwise, why would Bass have taken the last shot. Bass brought the ball down court. Instead of passing the ball to a wide open PJ Arnold who had made 4 of 9 three point attempts, Bass forced up a shot with a Memphis defender on him. His shot fell short, and the Tigers with a 76-73 overtime win. PJ Arnold stomped off the court in frutstration. When asked about the last few seconds after the game, Arnold smiled and said “Next question.” It was obvious the wheels was coming off of Murry’s bus. The Tigers were led by Kelly Wise with 18 points. LeAndrew Bass was UAB’s leading scorer with 21 points.
The Opponent: 5-1
UAB has a short history with East Carolina, with the first game coming in 2002. The Blazers is 5-1 against the Pirates, with the only loss coming at home in 2005 by the score of 67-64.
UAB vs. East Carolina – February 11, 2006
UAB’s last game against the Pirates came last year at Bartow Arena on February 11. The Blazers entered the game 16-5 and 6-2 in CUSA play. East Carolina was 7-14 and 1-7 in CUSA play.
UAB was glad to be home after playing miserably in El Paso and losing their second conference game of the year to UTEP by the score of 65-37. In the first half of this game, both teams shot poorly and the Blazers led 28-25 at halftime. Coming out of the break, UAB went on a 7-0 run to take a 35-25 point lead. East Carolina was never able to recover, but did get the score down to 52-48 with a dunk by Corey Rouse. However, a jumper by Marvett McDonald and three free throws by Brandon Tobias put the Blazers in control to stay. UAB won the game 72-64. Marvett McDonald scored 15 of his 18 points in the second half to lead the Blazers in scoring. Wen Mukubu and Paul Delaney each had 12 points and Lawrence Kinnard hit 5 of his 7 shots to score 10 points.
The Place:
The Blazers are 2-0 in Greenville, North Carolina. They won by three points, 71-68 in 2004 and by the score of 76-64 in 2005.
The Bench:
Ricky Stokes is in his second year as coach of the Pirates. Stokes played a small part in one of UAB’s greatest games. He was a sophomore guard on the 1982 Virginia team that UAB defeated in the NCAA Tournament to advance to the Elite Eight. Stokes went 1-3 for two points and three rebounds. He is 0-1 against the Blazers as a coach.