BIRMINGHAM – The 2020-21 UAB men’s basketball season features 18 Conference USA contests. This week UABSports.com will preview each of UAB’s C-USA opponents for the upcoming season, with today featuring Charlotte (away Jan. 15-16) and Rice (home Jan. 22-23).
CHARLOTTE QUICK FACTS:
Location: Charlotte, N.C.
2019-20 Record: 16-13
2019-20 C-USA Record: 10-8, T-4th
Head Coach: Ron Sanchez
Record at Charlotte: 24-34 / 3rd season
Career record: Same
THE SERIES:
UAB leads the series 31-18 against Charlotte. In Conference USA play, the Blazers lead 12-10 and 19-8 in Sun Belt play. The initial game was on January 28, 1980 that resulted in an 84-76 win for the Blazers. The 49ers won last season 51-44 in Charlotte.
CHARLOTTE AT A GLANCE:
Head coach Ron Sanchez led his team to a 16-game win season last year, which was the most wins in a season in five years. Charlotte also won a school-record 13 games at home. The 49ers will look to continue their stifling defense from last year that finished top 50 in the nation in scoring defense.
Jordan Shepherd and Jahmir Young were named to the preseason All-Conference USA team. Shepherd ranked 12th in Conference USA in scoring, averaging a team-leading 14.0 points per game while Young was named Conference USA Freshman of the Year averaging 12.5 points per game.
DID YOU KNOW?
Last year, Charlotte finished third in Conference-USA in scoring defense and UAB finished right under them at fourth.
RICE QUICK FACTS:
Location: Houston, Texas
2019-20 Record: 15-17
2019-20 C-USA Record: 7-11, 11th
Head Coach: Scott Pera
Record at Rice: 35-60 / 4th season
Career record: Same
THE SERIES:
UAB leads the series 14-2 against Rice. The initial game was on December 29, 1980 that resulted in a 78-60 win for the Blazers. The Owls won last season 86-72 at Bartow Arena.
RICE AT A GLANCE:
Rice finished last year with a 15-17 record with impressive wins over Penn and Conference USA regular season champion North Texas. The Owls led Conference USA in three-pointers and three-pointers per game.
DID YOU KNOW?
UAB freshman Terrell Ard, Jr. and Rice redshirt junior Malik Ondigo both attended Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut.
