2006 UAB Blazers Basketball Preview

2006 UAB Blazers Basketball Predictions

The UAB Blazers finished second in C- USA with an overall mark of 24- 7 and a conference grade of 12- 2. It was one and out for them in the NCAA Tournament. This year, the Blazers will have a new coach—Mike Davis (115- 79 overall in 7 years). He replaces Mike Anderson, who went to head the team at Missouri.

Junior Paul Delaney III (8.7 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.5 APG) has the potential to become the most prolific scorer on the team. Junior college standout point guard Andre White, who made 44.8% of his 3-pointers last season, has been added to replace the dependable Squeaky Johnson. Frosh guard Taurus Dortch will contribute immediately.

In the frontcourt, freshmen Howard Crawford and Curtis Nickson will see action right from the start. Seniors Frank Holmes (6.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 0.5 APG) and Wen Mukubu (9.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.4 APG) will be asked to do more this season.

Mike Davis arrived ready to take on the challenge of making the UAB program even more competitive. Davis, an excellent recruiter, signed transfers Robert Vaden (Indiana) and Walter Sharpe (Mississippi State) and recruited junior college point man Andre White and prep school forward Jeremy Mayfield. These are all improvements, but still under Davis and with so many new players, the team will certainly go through growing pains.

This is a transition year for UAB. It will be tough for them to get back to the NCAA Tournament, where they lost to Kentucky 69- 64 last year. The NIT is a definite possibility, but if coach Davis can move this team forward rapidly, they could find themselves taking part in the Big Dance.

If you want more info on the 2006 UAB Blazers College basketball team check out the NCAA's official basketball team page of the program or check view other mid major previews from MadduxSports.com of universities like the Winthrop Eagles and Wichita State Shockers.