The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Donnie Marsh Blog
12/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 7, 2009
What a nice way to enter a 12 day "break". We're 8-1; 7 straight wins; 5 straight at home; and getting contributions from each guy who enters the game. One night it's Howard's night; the next night Eli steps up; Jamarr goes for a career high; then when those guys struggle here comes "Coop" or George. In our latest game we find out Cam can't go during warm-ups so Ovie picks up right where he left off and gives us some quality minutes. Dexter got some quality minutes as well and although he appeared a bit rusty from his time off to handle his academic responsibilities, we are very comfortable knowing what he will bring to the table. The one guy I have left out to this point is the straw that stirs the drink; the head of the snake; the conductor of this train; the guy I call the "bus driver", AJ. He has been very solid so far and continues to develop in his role as a facilitator, a leader a maestro if you will. He's playing smarter than ever; with more confidence than ever; and he's setting the right examples for his teammates on and off the floor. More importantly he has won his match-up all but one time - in my opinion - and there's no surprise that we lost that game. He wants this to be his team - and it is. He's shooting 49% from the field; 39% from behind the arc; and 79% from the line. He leads us in assists and steals while playing 36 minutes per game. But perhaps the best sign of his development, maturity, and understanding of his importance to our team is the fact that he is averaging less 3 fouls per game. He has remained aggressive defensively, but we always talk about "intelligent pressure", not taking cheap fouls early in a game. That allows him to be aggressive throughout and perhaps take a chance or two later in the game that might be a game changer. He is still very much a work in progress but he's "getting it". That's not to say that he doesn't have me pulling out my hair at times - that's if I had any - he does. But he's a young man giving all he has ALL the time. I know Blazer fans can see and appreciate that. I certainly do!
Friday night's game was really nice. Our kids understood the significance of the evening and they really responded well. They were excited to put on the gold uniforms. They didn't know we had them so I told our managers to wait until they went out for the first warm-up session, then lay them out on the players' chairs. When they came in for our final pre-game talk I wish you could have heard the excitement in their voices. Not that uniforms win games, but it was a treat that added to the significance of the game. I would say they got the message.
Now our guys are in final exams. We gave them Saturday, Sunday & Monday off. We'll get back to work on Tuesday getting ready for Cincinnati. We'll have to re-focus them but we'll have more than a week to do it. I can guarantee you they'll be ready to play. Will YOU be ready to pack this place in support? It's the last of our 6-game home stand and we need to continue holding serve at Bartow. I hope I can count on you to make this place as uncomfortable for the Bearcats as possible. We'll see you on the 16th!
GO BLAZERS!!!
