Off Mike: UAB Loses 4 Players

The University of Alabama-Birmingham may hold an open casting call to fill out its men's hoops roster some time soon. Head Coach Mike Davis ((pictured, thanks rivals.com)) lost four players Tuesday- Terrence Roderick and Armon Bassett to left school. Jeremy Mayfield and Ed Berrios are ineligible because of academic issues.

Steve Irvine's article from the Birmingham News lays out what's going on.

"It was unclear whether Bassett, a heralded Indiana transfer, will move to a school closer to home in Indiana or try to begin a professional basketball career. He was sitting out this season but was expected to be a key part of next year's team.

Roderick arrived at UAB in August of 2007 but did not qualify to play last season. He played in all eight games for the Blazers this fall, averaging 5.6 points and 5.5 rebounds in 21 minutes per game. Mayfield played in every game in 2006-07 and the final 22 games last season. He was ineligible the past two fall semesters. Berrios, one of six seniors on the roster, is a former junior college transfer who will sit out his final semester of eligibility.

Berrios played 12.5 minutes per game this season in relief of starting point guard Aaron Johnson in the first eight games.

UAB was already playing with a thin roster. The Blazers are allowed only 11 of 13 maximum scholarships during the 2008-09 season because of APR penalties. Two of those players - Bassett and Elijah Millsap - were sitting out after transferring from other four-year schools."

One of the players activated by Coach Davis is Mike Davis, Jr. ((related))

UAB is down ((or is it 'up...?')) to eight players for the remainder of the season- just in time for C-USA conference play...

Have fun with that...