Overview:
Not many programs have a better recent NCAA
Tournament resume than this one. In 2004, the
Blazers put out Washington and Kentucky en route to
a Sweet Sixteen appearance. Last season, UAB
victimized LSU in the first round before being put
out by an outstanding Arizona team. Mike Anderson's
bunch is back for more on the heels of a second
place finish in Conference USA. Most impressively,
UAB was the only Conference USA team to beat Memphis
in league play.
Potential Difference Maker: If there's a more
underappreciated point guard than Carldell "Squeaky"
Johnson, please point him out to me. In a tournament
that demands solid point guard play, he's one of the
best going. This is the third straight season he's
led the league in assist-to-turnover ratio, and
although he doesn't pull the trigger on it much,
he's accurate from beyond the three-point arc.
On Offense: They will attack you hard from
all five positions on the floor. They rely heavily
on Squeaky Johnson to break you down off the dribble
and then kick to Marvett McDonald for open threes.
On Defense: They will press you from the
opening tip. Mike Anderson employs a style
reminiscent to Nolan Richardson’s forty-minutes of
hell at Arkansas. They do a great job of keeping you
off balance. They are very disruptive. They are one
of the best teams in the country at separating you
from the basketball.
Strength: The create matchup problems and
their wing players are not just athletic. They are
also very physical.
Weakness: They don’t have a real strong
inside game.
Key to Success: They generate 10-12 points a
game off their defense. That is their biggest key.
It’s also important for them to shoot it well from
the perimeter and take care of the basketball. When
they have those three elements working, they are
tough to beat.
How to Beat Them: You have to turn the game
into a series of one-possessions affairs. Make them
work for everything on the offensive and be patient
when you have the ball. Do not force the issue. The
want a constant flow so you have to change the pace
of the game.
