SportsLine.com/Lindy's Basketball
2000 Season Preview
Nov. 6, 2000

With no starter taller than 6-foot-5, the UAB Blazers were like a gnat last season. At times they could be extremely irritating to people, but in the end, they simply were shooed away and ignored.

The Blazers were just good enough to beat Louisville and DePaul and win 14 games. And they were just bad enough to go 1-10 on the road and lose 14 games.

The main problem was a lack of any significant inside game. UAB's third-leading rebounder last season, departed swingman Torrey Ward, was only 6-foot-3. And no player was big enough to score easy baskets inside, as indicated by the team's .416 shooting percentage.

But help could be on the way this season in the form of two junior-college transfers: Eric Batchelor and Will Campbell.

Batchelor might turn out to be the best of a five-player recruiting class that at least two publications -- Hoop Scoop and All-Star Sports -- ranked as being among the Top 25 in the nation.

If the Blazers can come up with a legitimate inside game, they have a chance to be a contender for an NCAA Tournament berth, because UAB does have some talented, though limited, role players.

Senior forward Myron Ransom (11.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg) improved tremendously during his junior season, but blew out his knee during the summer and will miss the entire season. Senior forward David Walker (8.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg) also is a hard-working player who does nothing great but does a lot of little things well.

Predicted finish

American Division 1. DePaul 2. Cincinnati 3. UNC-Charlotte 4. Marquette 5. Saint Louis 6. Louisville National Division 1. Memphis 2. South Florida 3. Southern Miss 4. UAB 5. Houston 6. Tulane

In the backcourt, senior point guard LeAndrew Bass (8.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg) and junior-college transfer George "P.J." Arnold at shooting guard could develop into a potent combination.

Throw in outside-shooting specialist Morris Finley (6.3 ppg) and some decent depth in sophomores Tony Johnson and Sidney Ball, and the Blazers appear to have the potential to be an above-average team.

Honors candidates

Junior-college transfers Eric Batchelor, George "P.J." Arnold and Will Campbell are all key transfers. Batchelor could become one of the better power forwards in the conference.

Keep an eye on

Sophomore shooting guard Morris Finley scored the second-most points by a freshman in UAB history last season, averaging 6.3. He needs to improve his 3-point percentage (27.2) to become a true force.

Key players

(*Returning starter; 1999-2000 avg.)

• PG LeAndrew Bass* 6-3, 185, Sr. - Erratic player who has yet to meet expectations (8.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg)
• SF David Walker* 6-5, 205, Sr. - Solid all-around player (8.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg)
• PF Eric Batchelor 6-7, 210, Jr. - JC transfer who should provide much-needed power
• SG Morris Finley 5-11, 165, So. - Outside-shooting specialist who scored 32 vs. Fresno State (6.3 ppg)
• C Will Campbell 6-8, 240, Jr. - JC transfer should be a key contributor
• G George Arnold 6-5, 210, Jr. - Finally, a Memphis recruit for the Blazers

Key losses

• Torrey Ward, SF, 6-3, 210, (9.4 ppg; 5.8 rpg.)
• Eric Holmes, SG, 6-3, 185 (16.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg)
• Myron Ransom, PF, 6-5, 220, (11.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg)

Lindy's College Basketball Annual is available at newsstands, or can be ordered at www.lindyssports.com, or by calling 1-205-871-1182.

Schedule