By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published January 29, 2005
WHEN/WHERE: 8:30; Bartow Arena, Birmingham, Ala.
RADIO: 570-AM and 910-AM. RECORDS: USF 8-9, 1-5 Conference USA; UAB 14-5, 4-2.
COACHES: USF - Robert McCullum (15-29, second season; 59-74 overall); UAB - Mike Anderson (57-28, third season).
NOTABLE: It's Mike Anderson bobblehead night, with the first 4,000 fans getting a promotion nod to the Blazers coach. ... Three weeks ago, USF nearly pulled off the upset, losing 62-61 on Marques Lewis' free throw with three seconds to play. That started a five-game losing streak that has the Bulls a half-game out of last place in the conference. ... Thursday's 74-48 loss to Cincinnati was the Bulls' most lopsided since 86-47 to UAB on Jan. 20, 2004. Senior forward Terrence Leather was scoreless, fouling out in 12 minutes and leaving the Bulls with little to contend with the Bearcats' frontcourt. He has been suspended from tonight's game for conduct detrimental to the team. ... USF got a career-high 27 points from senior point guard Brian Swift, but no other player had more than six, a recurring problem that hasn't helped the Bulls in conference play. ... The Blazers aren't nearly as physical a team inside, but they're led by twin guards Donell and Ronell Taylor, who average 15.2 and 12.4 points, respectively. DeMario Eddins and Marvett McDonald also average in double figures, giving UAB a balanced attack to go with a high-pressure defense. ... UAB has won the past five meetings with USF, but the past two are by a combined three points.
