University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Travel to Alabama to Battle UAB
12/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Game No. 9
MINNESOTA (3-5)
vs.
UAB (4-3)
DECEMBER 5, 2006 • 7 p.m.
Bartow Arena • Birmingham, Ala.
Television: none
RADIO: Gopher Radio Network - Mike Grimm, PBP; Kevin Lynch, analyst
STORYLINES
• The Gophers will play its first road game of the year in Birmingham, Ala.
• Both teams are coming off emotional wins on Saturday. The Gophers snapped a five-game losing streak by defeating Arizona State, 63-60. UAB went on the road and defeated Cincinnati, 59-57, on a runner with under 10 seconds left by Paul Delaney.
• The Gophers lead the series 3-1 (including vacated games). Minnesota defeated UAB last season at Willliams Arena, 69-68.
• Mike Davis is in his first season on the bench at UAB. He holds a 5-7 record against the Gophers in his career.
MATCHUP
Minnesota hits the road for the second time this season, but plays its first true road game in Birmingham, Ala., against the UAB Blazers. The Gophers last road win was last season at Penn State, 77-66, over the Nittany Lions. Minnesota’s won its only non-conference road contest last season over Arizona State, 85-79 in overtime, on Dec. 5.
SCOUTING the Blazers
Former Indiana head coach Mike Davis landed on his feet and inherited a young and athletic team in Birmingham. The Fayette, Ala., native and former head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers was named as the fourth head basketball coach in UAB's 28-year program history on April 7, 2006. Davis replaced former head coach Mike Anderson, who left UAB to become the head coach at the University of Missouri.
Junior guard Paul Delaney has made the most of his chance with his increased role this season and is averaging 19.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. His backcourt mate Wen Mukubu is second on the team in scoring at 14.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Sophomore forward Lawrence Kinnard is the other Blazer averaging in double figures at 12.3 ppg. As a team, the Blazers are shooting .468 from the field and .429 from three-point range.
