Robert Vaden: Under the Radar

Ever hear of Robert Vaden? I didn’t really. All I knew that he was a transfer student from Indiana. All I knew is that he followed former Hoosiers coach Mike Davis to his new school. Yesterday, Vaden and his UAB Blazers made sure Kentucky knew who they were, and Vaden made sure we knew how good he truly can be,

At halftime, UAB was down 40-28. Vaden had only scored 5 points, and looked as though it was going to be a bad day to be a Blazer. What happened next was amzing to watch. Vaden was fouled as he shot a 3-pointer, and nailed all three of his foul shots. That was all the fuel Vaden need as he became the spark plug to a 51-point second half for UAB as he and the Blazers pulled off a great comeback to beat UK 79-76. Faden ended the day with 33 points; that’s right, he had a 28-point half!

Vaden was simply automatic in the second half. Kentucky couldn’t find a way to defend him. His shot was a quick release after a pass, and most of that came from behind the arc as we went 7 for 11 from back their. The reason UK lost is because they never made him put the ball down for a dribble.

Now, all we are hearing about Conference USA to date is how great Houston and Memphis are. Rightfully so. But I submit you can now throw UAB’s name in the mix. I don’t think they can win the conference, but I suspect they will be in at March Madness. I also suspect that Vaden can give even #2 Memphis a little trouble. Either way, Vaden is a player we all should watch. At the very least, he has great potential to become something big this year.