NCDS: Wes Flanigan, Asst. Coach - UAB

By: Wes Flanigan, Asst. Coach - UAB

Today (Feb. 2) we take off for maybe one of our biggest games of the year.  As coaches we have a tendency to say that each and every week... and it actually is a joke around the office.  During conference play, every game is so important that each one seems that way.  In order to win a conference championship you have to be able to take care of home court and, if you happen to lose one at home, now you have to find a way to go take one on the road to make up for it, and that is where our team is right now after a double-overtime loss to UTEP on Saturday (Jan. 30).

We play Memphis (on Feb. 3) and, as everyone knows that follows college basketball, they don't lose many at home.  In order to beat them we will have to perform at a high level.  We have been here before this season and our team has answered the bell every time.  We know going in that they are going to come after us because they are coming off of a tough lose also to SMU on the road.  Adding to the suspense is not only the fact that both of us have a legitimate chance to win the conference this year, but we are perhaps the biggest rival game in our conference at this particular time.

Our team has been one of the biggest surprises in the league this year. Through my experiences in basketball, sometimes you put together a group of guys and for some odd reason the chemistry just clicks and that is what this team brings to the table along with a little toughness.  Coach Davis, who I think is one of the better coaches in the country and a brilliant offensive mind, has really embraced this group.  He is very confident and comfortable with what this team brings to the table.  The kids have been great.  They work so hard and they all are receptive to coaching. It is not every day that a coach gets a group like that in our profession and I think coach understands that and cherishes every moment that he spends with this team.   Our staff has done a great job of understanding their responsibilities and communicating openly to keep everybody and everything on the same page which helps coach out tremendously.  When you put everything into perspective you can see why we have exceeded some expectations with a 18-3 record and two top 25 rankings to this point.

Conference USA has as much balance this season as any conference in America and, at times, I don't think we get enough credit for being a top notch conference.  You look around our league and you probably have six or seven teams who have a chance at the top spot.  In my opinion, we should get at least two teams in the NCAA and maybe two or three in the NIT but no one cares how I feel. The regular season championship probably won't be decided until the last game of the season and that should make for an exciting conference tournament in Tulsa this year.

As we finish probably the toughest stretch of our conference slate, we would be in great shape if we could be 7-1 after the Memphis game Wednesday night.  I know our team and staff is looking forward to the challenge.  We control our own destiny right now and that is all you can ask for. The only thing for us to do on Wednesday is stick with our slogan that we have had all season: BRING THE FIGHT.  If we do that then we will remain on top of Conference USA for the time being and we will move on to the next big game of the year.

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