One day after an upset loss to East Carolina, UAB coach Mike Anderson hinted at changes for Saturday's game at No.24 Cincinnati.
"There will be a shake-up," Anderson said prior to Thursday's practice.
UAB's third-year head man didn't offer further insight into the lineupchanges but it wouldn't be a surprise to see freshmen Paul Delaney and Frank Holmes take minutes away from UAB's veterans when the Blazers (16-8, 6-5 C-USA) and Cincinnati (19-6, 7-4) tangle at Fifth Third Arena at Shoemaker Center. The game tips off at 3 p.m.
"They're emerging," Anderson said of Delaney and Holmes. "If you look at the guys who played down the stretch (against ECU), they played with a lot of energy and are getting better. They're playing with the hunger that I'm looking for."
UAB may need Delaney and Holmes anyway. Junior guard Marvett McDonald suffered what Anderson described as a mild concussion in the ECU contest when he butted heads with ECU's Mike Cook midway through the second half. McDonald did not return to the game and his playing status was being evaluated.
"We're losing key guys at the wrong time," said Anderson.
The play of the veterans is another concern. While forward Marques Lewis has shown an ability to give UAB a strong inside presence, his constant bout with foul trouble is hurting the team offensively.
Forward Demario Eddins hasn't been the same since the Louisville contest. He has scored just 10 points over the past two games. Donell Taylor has remained a consistent scorer, but like Lewis he has been plagued by foul trouble as well as turnovers. Taylor has fouled out from the past two contests and he's thrown the ball away 10 times in the span.
UAB likes to claim the final 10 minutes of a game as its own, but the Blazers have let TCU and ECU dictate the tempo in the final 10 minutes.
Anderson said part of the problem is a lack of execution, something he attributes to a lack of leadership.
"We're not having guys make plays," said Anderson. "When you go through scoring droughts, in the past we had guys get to the foul line or make a shot.
"We haven't had anyone step up in those shoes."
Cincinnati will no doubt have this game circled. UAB defeated the Bearcats 80-69 in Bartow Arena on this date last season.
UC had lost its previous three C-USA contest before dismantling Southern Miss 83-51 at home Wednesday night.
Senior forward Jason Maxiell (15 ppg.) and junior forward Eric Hicks (14.2 ppg.) lead the way for the Bearcats.
UAB hasn't won in Cincinnati since 1994 and if the Blazers are to do it this weekend, they will need to correct the problems that have contributed to their current three-game losing skid.
"We're just going to have to go up there and play and be in a position to have a chance," Anderson said. "Without a doubt, it's going to be one of the more difficult places we go, plus they're a good basketball team."
"There will be a shake-up," Anderson said prior to Thursday's practice.
UAB's third-year head man didn't offer further insight into the lineupchanges but it wouldn't be a surprise to see freshmen Paul Delaney and Frank Holmes take minutes away from UAB's veterans when the Blazers (16-8, 6-5 C-USA) and Cincinnati (19-6, 7-4) tangle at Fifth Third Arena at Shoemaker Center. The game tips off at 3 p.m.
"They're emerging," Anderson said of Delaney and Holmes. "If you look at the guys who played down the stretch (against ECU), they played with a lot of energy and are getting better. They're playing with the hunger that I'm looking for."
UAB may need Delaney and Holmes anyway. Junior guard Marvett McDonald suffered what Anderson described as a mild concussion in the ECU contest when he butted heads with ECU's Mike Cook midway through the second half. McDonald did not return to the game and his playing status was being evaluated.
"We're losing key guys at the wrong time," said Anderson.
The play of the veterans is another concern. While forward Marques Lewis has shown an ability to give UAB a strong inside presence, his constant bout with foul trouble is hurting the team offensively.
Forward Demario Eddins hasn't been the same since the Louisville contest. He has scored just 10 points over the past two games. Donell Taylor has remained a consistent scorer, but like Lewis he has been plagued by foul trouble as well as turnovers. Taylor has fouled out from the past two contests and he's thrown the ball away 10 times in the span.
UAB likes to claim the final 10 minutes of a game as its own, but the Blazers have let TCU and ECU dictate the tempo in the final 10 minutes.
Anderson said part of the problem is a lack of execution, something he attributes to a lack of leadership.
"We're not having guys make plays," said Anderson. "When you go through scoring droughts, in the past we had guys get to the foul line or make a shot.
"We haven't had anyone step up in those shoes."
Cincinnati will no doubt have this game circled. UAB defeated the Bearcats 80-69 in Bartow Arena on this date last season.
UC had lost its previous three C-USA contest before dismantling Southern Miss 83-51 at home Wednesday night.
Senior forward Jason Maxiell (15 ppg.) and junior forward Eric Hicks (14.2 ppg.) lead the way for the Bearcats.
UAB hasn't won in Cincinnati since 1994 and if the Blazers are to do it this weekend, they will need to correct the problems that have contributed to their current three-game losing skid.
"We're just going to have to go up there and play and be in a position to have a chance," Anderson said. "Without a doubt, it's going to be one of the more difficult places we go, plus they're a good basketball team."
