Coleman will stay close to home

Adrian Coleman took a two and a half hour drive west on Interstate 20 over the weekend to see a college campus. On his way home, the three-star guard from Stephenson (Ga.) High School made the calls to let the world know that he found his collegiate home.

The 6-foot-3 senior verbally committed to UAB on Sunday night after visiting the Conference USA program.

"They were the frontrunner, always were," Coleman said. "They have a nice small town feel there. They have nice people involved in the program. The coaches and players are easy to deal with. I can see myself there for four years."

Coleman joins a fantastic 2009 recruiting class for the Blazers. Already committed to the Blazers is five-star big man DeMarcus Cousins, junior college stud Jon Kreft, junior college scorer Casey Mitchell and three-star high school guard David Murray. UAB is currently ranked eighth overall in the 2009 team recruiting rankings.

The collection of talent committing to Mike Davis and the Blazers all has the same goal in mind, Coleman says.

"We are supposed to be the first class to beat Memphis for the Conference USA title," Coleman said. "We are going to knock them off the top."

The chance to play early was also a major selling point, he said.

"Since they are going to lose six seniors, we are all going to go there with a chance to earn a lot of playing time," Coleman said. "That's something that I'm willing to do. I know we are going to get better."

Central Florida and Murray State were in the thick of it this fall, too, Coleman said.