by Garrett Helmers
Men’s Basketball
Next game: Feb. 5, 3 p.m. vs. MTSU
They say the bigger they are, the harder they fall. This could not be truer for the men’s basketball team and coach Andy Kennedy, who fell far from their pedestal atop the West with a loss this Saturday at Marshall, who was previously winless in conference play.
While the Blazers (17-5, 7-2) now face an uphill climb towards earning an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, they still have an opportunity to fight for the top seed in the West and a bye in the Conference USA tournament.
A quality opponent in Middle Tennessee (14-6, 5-2) will not make it any easier for the Blazers, as the Blue Raiders come into the Bartow Classic in sole possession of first place in the East.
Led by graduate transfer Josh Jefferson, the Blue Raiders are riding the second-longest win streak (five games) in Conference USA into their battle with the Blazers.
Unlike UAB’s opponents last week, the Blue Raiders rely on all five starters to carry the load on offense.
While there is no singular star for the Blue Raiders, who rank middle of the pack in Conference USA in nearly every offensive category, they have been able to find success in large part due to their tenacious defense.
The Blue Raiders’ game plan is to play hard on defense, take care of the basketball and allow their opponents to make mistakes. Middle Tennessee comes into Saturday’s game with a defense that ranks top three in the league in points per game allowed, steals and turnover margin.
Luckily for the Blazers, outside of their last game at Marshall, they rarely make mistakes. They have the best turnover margin in the conference, one of the best players in Jordan “Jelly” Walker, and an offense that, when clicking, can hang with anyone.
Middle Tennessee State is 3-6 in road games this season. It is certainly tough for any opponent to come into Bartow and steal a win, but for the Blue Raiders, it may be nearly impossible.
If the Blazers can take care of the basketball, bring energy on defense and play to their strengths, they should walk away with a win. If they fail to do any of these three, the Blazers might lose their second straight game.
This matchup between the Blazers and the Blue Raiders marks the 13th straight Bartow Classic, a game designated to honor the founder of Blazer Basketball and legendary coach, Gene Bartow.
A portion of every ticket sold will go to the Gene Bartow Fund for Cancer Research.
Students can claim their tailgating passes at the ticket office at Bartow Arena. Passes will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Blazers and Blue Raiders tip off at 3 p.m. on Saturday. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+.
Women’s Basketball
Next game: Feb. 5, 5 p.m. vs. MTSU
With an opportunity to play spoiler to two of the top teams in Conference USA, the women’s basketball team and coach Randy Norton handled their business in Bartow this week. Coming with these wins, a two-game lead in the West and an opportunity to take down a hot Middle Tennessee State (15-4, 7-2), the team may extend their reign atop the Western division.
Another tough opponent for the Blazers, the Blue Raiders, a notable opponent for the Blazers, are second in the East and have one of the best players in the league — Kseniya Malashka — who has scored in the double digits in eight of her last nine games.
While MTSU’s men’s basketball team relies on a variety of sources for scoring, the Lady Raiders have been carried by Malashka, Courtney Whitson and Dor Saar — who has hit the most three-pointers in Conference USA — and Courtney Whitson.
After having five players score in the double digits for wins last week against Marshall and Western Kentucky, the Blazers may have found their winning formula. If they hope to continue their success, they must continue to efficiently score and share the basketball.
An important matchup in this game will be between Whitson and UAB star Zakyia Weathersby, who are both top-ten rebounders and can get hot from the floor at any time.
Whitson has already posted 31 points in a win over UTSA earlier this season, so it will be crucial for Weathersby and the Blazers to keep her in check.
In terms of the team, the Lady Raiders have a defense, the best scoring margin in C-USA and are the top three-pointers in the conference.
Their biggest weaknesses? Rebounding and shots coming from inside the arc.
Watch for the Blazers to take advantage of these glaring holes in the Lady Raiders’ game, as they rank number one in the conference in both field goal percentage allowed and rebounding margin.
If the Blazers want to pull off another big win on the road, they need to rebound the basketball, contain the Lady Raiders’ stars, spread the basketball and play solid defense.
Easier said than done.
UAB and Middle Tennessee State are set to tip off at 5 p.m. The game can be streamed on ESPN+.
