The sample size of the UAB's men's basketball offensive output with Jelly Walker in the lineup is two games old. During those two games, the Blazers shot 37.1% from the field in a win at Louisiana Tech and 31.6% in a loss at Middle Tennessee.
The shooting percentage against Middle Tennessee was a season-low. The shooting percentage at Louisiana Tech was the third worst this season, coming in just ahead of the 36.4% the Blazers shot in a double-overtime win over UTEP.
On Tuesday night, less than 24 hours following the tip-off of the 74-73 overtime loss at Middle Tennessee, UAB head coach Andy Kennedy talked about playing without Walker this past week. Kennedy made the comments while visiting with David Crane on the Blazer Sportsline radio show.
"We shot 31% last night," Kennedy said on Blazer Sportsline. "It's the lowest in my tenure at UAB. You can't win on the road shooting 31%. Just keeping it 100, a lot of guys will complain that Jelly, he's a high-volume guy. As a matter of fact, he's top 10 in the country and on pace to be the all-time in history of UAB as it relates to shots per game. With that comes some other guys not getting the shots they've been accustomed to. They've had the opportunity over the last two games, so that should end that conversation."
In 16 games this season, Walker has taken 286 shots, which is 17.9 per game. The only two players averaging more shots per game in the nation are Detroit Mercy's Antoine Davis (21.5) and Marshall's Andrew Taylor (18.9). While he doesn't always shoot at a high percentage, the Blazers rely on him to score points.
Without him, they have struggled to score consistently. Kennedy didn't update Walker's status moving forward, but it does help that he's got a few extra days for his foot to continue to heal before Saturday's Conference USA visit from North Texas.
"When you pull Jelly out of the lineup, the rest of our team has not shot very well," Kennedy said.
That's not to say others haven't stepped up in Walker's absence. Trey Jemison had 11 points and 10 rebounds against Louisiana Tech and 18 points and 11 rebounds at Middle Tennessee. He took a season-high 14 shots while playing a season-high 36 minutes against the Blue Raiders.
"Our focus has been we want to attack inside-out," Kennedy said. "We wanted to try to dominate in the paint, which we have. We want to be able to dominate the glass, which we have."
Ty Brewer made big plays on the offensive end in both games. Tavin Lovan got a pair of starts and extended minutes, responding with 23 points and 14 rebounds in the two games. Tony Toney had an important 3-pointer against Louisiana Tech, played a season-high 26 minutes against Middle Tennessee, and showed in both games that he should probably get more minutes moving forward.
"When you take out the third leading scorer in the country or whatever he is at the time, obviously it changes the dynamic of your team," Kennedy said on Blazer Sportsline. "I was really proud of guys like Tavin Lovan, who have been integral parts of this program for a long time and have not, really, been satisfied with their place in the rotation. I want people to understand something. All I want to do is win games. Players determine playing time. Sometimes, when opportunity comes, you've got to advance an opportunity. (Toney) was the x-factor in the win against Ruston, and I thought he was big again last night. He gave us a huge boost in the two games he's been back in the rotation."
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email steve.irvine@1819news.com.
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