STHS grad dreaming of Final Four
Update Mach 21, 8pm: UAB lost to UCLA.
By Alec Lewis, News96.5
Wearing Cinderella’s slipper on their left foot, the Blazers knocked off 3-seed Iowa State and Fred Hoiberg, and have found their way into the round of 32.
Gene Bartow succeededJohn Wooden 40 years ago at UCLA, and 40 years ago, Jerod Haase was born in South Lake Tahoe.
It’s part coincidence, part irony, even somewhat me simply creating a storyline. But UAB, led by Jerod Haase — whose opportunity was established by Bartow — will play UCLA today for a chance to return to the Sweet 16 and that’s somewhat remarkable.
On Nov. 15, 2014, UAB opened its season against Louisiana Monroe. To shortcut the details, UAB lost. The Blazers then lost eight of their next 12 basketball games and oh, the football program was demolished.
The third year of the team’s existence under Bartow, the UAB legend took them to the Sweet 16. Saturday UAB will have a chance to repeat that feat in Haase’s third year. Go figure.
