UAB at SFA: Q&A with The Daily Dragon
Stephen F. Austin's battle of powerhouse mid-majors with Alabama-Birmingham on Wednesday has quickly emerged as the biggest game of the young season for the Lumberjacks. These teams met a year ago in the Yellowhammer State where a late run gave the Blazers a big come-from-behind win.
With the rematch in Nacogdoches just a couple days away, both teams are still learning about life with a new head coach.
To get the Blazer perspective, we reached out to Dave West of The Daily Dragon (TheDailyDragon.com). Here's what he had to say:
Both SFA and UAB are trying to figure out life with a new head coach after having a great one snatched up by a Power 5 school. How is the transition going for Robert Ehsan?
Dave: If I'm grading coach Ehsan's performance through 8 games I'd give him a B. At 4-4 to start the season that might seem generous but he's done a pretty darn good job since losing starting point guard Nick Norton in the first half of the first game of the season.
He hasn't quite had enough time to put his stamp on this team but he's done some things that I've noticed that are quite different. Ehsan's substitutions seem almost pre-determined at times in that they don't seem to take in to account what's happening in the game. He's also tried to implement full court pressure as often as possible but with new roster roles having to take place after Nick's injury it's made it tough.
UAB won 26 games last season (including one against SFA) only to be upset in the Conference USA tournament. How far away is this program from being in the at-large discussion in coming years?
Dave: With the schedule UAB has this was the year the at-large bid could and should have happened. Again, Nick's injury has changed everything. I've seen some potential for UAB to evolve in to a really good team with Deion Lavender now running the point but it's going to take some time which UAB doesn't have in pursuit of wins needed for an at-large big. The Blazers would need to win out in the non-conference and produce another dominating C-USA regular season to even be in the discussion this year and that's assuming Memphis, Texas, and the Jacks would have strong seasons.
If UAB has a similar non-conference schedule next year expectations will be just as high coming in to this season given Nick Norton, William Lee, and Chris Cokley will all be seniors.
SFA has been hit or miss down low this season and was notably outscored by ULM 40-16 in the paint last week. How does UAB attack the Lumberjacks with big men Chris Cokley and William Lee?
Dave: To be honest with you UAB hasn't been tested in the interior too often this season because teams have had such success from the perimeter against the Blazers. The one exception would be Saint Mary's big man Jock Landale who went for 20 points which he'll likely do no matter who the Gaels face this season.
With the exception of the Saint Mary's game UAB's interior defense has been really good and that's to be expected. Chris Cokley, William Lee, and Tosin Mehinti are all experienced and really bother true post players with their length. You could say the Blazers are built to protect the paint and make teams beat them from behind the arc which has happened quite frequently unfortunately.
What are the biggest differences SFA fans will notice in UAB's style of play from the time these teams faced last year?
Dave: You'll see more similarities than anything else considering we return nearly our entire roster from that game. Looking back at that box score the Blazers got 22 points from Chris Cokley and went 5-13 from behind the arc. That's UAB basketball so far this season.
I would expect a good bit more of full court pressure from UAB which was rarely seen from the team last season. As you know the Jacks have struggled with turnovers and Ehsan will be looking to take full advantage of it.
Obviously there are only a few familiar faces on the Lumberjacks team from a year ago, but which players (new or returning) most concern you in this matchup?
Dave: TJ Holyfield is going to be a match up problem for UAB if he looking for and hitting his outside shots. He and Chris Cokley are a lot alike in their style of play but Holyfield's ability to hit the three concerns me and I'm sure the UAB coaching staff.
The jury is still out for me on Ivan Canete. His outside shooting against La Monroe was obviously brilliant hitting 6 threes but his turnovers and careless fouls have to be frustrating for SFA fans. With so many new roles to fill I can't knock him too much because he's getting buckets regularly.
What is your prediction for the game?
I think this will be a first one to 60 points wins type of game. Both teams are still figuring themselves out and finding their identity. It's an odd spot for two teams who have had a lot of recent success to both be at .500. Regardless of the outcome I think both teams will be in position to win their respective conferences.