The Creighton men’s basketball team got its season off to a nice start with a win over North Texas last Friday night. The defense looked improved as the Bluejays held the athletic Mean Green to 31.5% shooting and limited UNT to 51 points.
CU hits the court again Wednesday, this time against UAB. The two teams met last season down in Birmingham and it was a bit of a slow down, drag-it-out contest that held the Bluejays to their lowest output in the non-conference season.
The Blazers are breaking in a brand new head coach, as former Kansas player and North Carolina assistant Jerod Haase is at the helm in Birmingham. He knows all about the Bluejays; his Tar Heels team beat CU in the NCAA Tournament last March.
To give us a little more insight into the Blazers, we checked in with UAB beat writer Drew Champlin from Al.com. He gives us the lowdown on the changes to the program since last season.
White & Blue Review: Is there some new excitement with a new coach this season? What kind of buzz and expectations are there for UAB hoops this season?
Drew Champlin: There is plenty of excitement because of the new style of play which encourages fast breaks and pressure defense full court. UAB has scored 98 and 105 points against two DII schools so far so while it’s not realistic to think they’ll do that against the Creightons and UNCs of the world, it gives people hope. I think people expect a competitive team that will be fun to watch. Immediate success this year? I’m not sure, but Haase will have this team good sooner than later.
WBR: UAB basketball had a pretty big profile a few years ago next to Memphis at the top of Conference USA. What have been the things that have changed over the past few years that hurt the team and what do they have to do to get back to the top of the conference?
DC: Memphis has been recruiting at an elite level over the past few years. UAB hasn’t yet, but Haase is trying to. UAB will have five early signees, and the old coaching staff didn’t sign very many in the early period. Memphis exits to the Big East next year, so that opens a path for someone to slide in as the crown jewel of Conference USA and UAB’s got a good shot.
WBR: What types of things does Jarod Haase’s bring to the program that might be different than in the past with Mike Davis?
DC: A faster paced, more high-scoring offense. I can’t speak for defense since I never saw UAB under Mike Davis. Also, as mentioned, getting the jump on the recruits. UAB can now focus on 2014 recruits and it is early November of 2012. Mike Davis signed most of his guys late and when you’re looking for guys in the spring, you’re fighting for scraps.
WBR: Which players should Creighton fans look out for this season from the Blazers?
DC: Jordan Swing (#44) is the leading returning scorer. Rob Williams (#5) is going to score a lot more than he has over his career and he’s a pretty good shooter, as is Swing. The most fun guy to watch is Jekore Tyler (#10) because he’s not a real big guy, but he can jump out of the gym. Rod Rucker (#42) is undersized, around 6-5, but real physical down low. Terence Jones (#3) is a fifth-year senior transfer guard who will start at point. He’s a scoring point who scored 13.6 ppg at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi last year.
WBR: What types of schemes will UAB employ to try and defend Creighton’s Doug McDermott?
DC: I’d have a better answer for you Tuesday and maybe will refer you to al.com/uab sometime before Wednesday. I’d think they need to throw a bunch of different looks at him. If they’re in man, whoever guards him will be smaller by at least an inch, so he can post up. I’d look for Rucker to guard him a lot or Preston Purifoy, who is also in the 6-5, 6-6 range.
WBR: Creighton has had its own defensive problems last season, but UAB has appeared to have some issues with turnovers heading into the game on Wednesday night. Will the turnovers be the key for the game on Wednesday night or is it more on who can score the most points?
DC: UAB got better with the ball against Young Harris (a regular season game). As fast as they want to play, there will be some turnovers, but that number needs to be closer to 10 and not 22 against North Alabama (exhibition). UAB has proven it can shoot pretty well, but if the Blazers lose the turnover battle something like 22-8, they probably won’t win.
WBR: In the short time you have seen the Blazers this season, what sticks out to you from your observations?
DC: They can shoot pretty well and are athletic. UAB isn’t real big, obviously, so rebounding will be an issue all season. Center Fahro Alihodzic is a JUCO transfer who is the only real big man. Alexander Scotland-Williamson has the size, but really hasn’t been a guy who can be counted on for more than 10 minutes a game. This team will try to force the issue on defense and get out on offense quickly into the open court.
WBR: What is your final prediction? What will the Blazers need to do to escape Omaha with a win?
DC: They have to shoot well, not turn the ball over, and contain McDermott. If he scores 25 but takes a bunch of shots, that’s OK. Right now I’d say Creighton 85-75 based on what the Bluejays have coming back. It should be a pretty high-scoring game.