When the UAB Blazers eliminated their football program, there was an uproar throughout the city of Birmingham that could be felt throughout the nation. Monetary issues forced the school to disband it, and focus their efforts in other sports, such as basketball and volleyball. Fans were devastated, and wondered, would the basketball program be able to fit their appetite for sports?
Hosting the Conference USA tournament, their Blazers' basketball team has not disappointed. In unbelievable fashion, Alabama-Birmingham has scorched their way through Western Kentucky, Louisiana Tech, and now Middle Tennessee to win the Conference USA and jump to the NCAA tournament.
Robert Brown's point production has steadily risen the past few days, and went all out today, scoring 22 points while hitting 4 deep treys. Freshman forward William Lee played well, scoring 13, mostly in the paint. The Blazers had held a steady lead for much of the game, but went wild in the middle of the 2nd half, scoring 13 points in 2 and a half minutes via deep shots by Brown and Denzell Watts. The game was out of hands by this point, with the crowd of over 8000 roaring for their UAB Blazers.
Middle Tennessee wasn't supposed to be in this game either, as they were supposed to have took a step back this year after losing much talent. However, Kermit Davis, one of the best mid-major coaches in the nation, glued the team together to make a contender, and shocked UTEP yesterday in the semis behind a stout performance by their front court. Tonight was rough for some of the big men, like Reggie Upshaw Jr., scoring only 2 points and almost fouling out. Jaqawn Raymond led the Blue Raiders with 12, but had a rough night shooting from beyond the arc, 1-5 in the affair. DeVante Jones couldn't match the big performance he put on against UTEP yesterday, but did manage to score 10. It was a failed effort from the boys of Murfreesboro, but be sure to watch for them next year.
UAB will likely end up as a 16 seed in the NCAA tournament, but with the way they've been playing lately, they will be a team to watch. They will find out their matchup tomorrow, on Selection Sunday.