BIRMINGHAM – The 2020-21 UAB men’s basketball season features nine non-conference contests along with 18 Conference USA games. This week UABSports.com will preview each of UAB’s non-conference opponents for the upcoming season, with today featuring Kennesaw State (Dec. 2) and Troy (Dec. 6).
KENNESAW STATE QUICK FACTS:
Location: Kennesaw, Ga.
2019-20 Record: 1-28
2019-20 Atlantic Sun Record: 0-16, 9th
Head Coach: Amir Abdur-Rahim
Record at Alcorn State: 1-28 / 2nd season
Career record: Same
THE SERIES:
Dec. 2 will mark the first time the Blazers and Owls have met.
KENNESAW STATE AT A GLANCE:
KSU lost four of their five starters from last season including leading scorer Tyler Hooker (13.5 ppg) to graduation. Kennesaw State’s leading returning scorer is Terrell Burden (9.5 ppg). The Owls have 10 newcomers on the roster, which include seven freshmen.
DID YOU KNOW?
Kennesaw State assistant coach Tanner Smith played for Clemson in the 2011 NCAA First Four game against UAB.
TROY QUICK FACTS:
Location: Troy, Ala.
2019-20 Record: 9-22
2019-20 Sun Belt Record: 5-15, T-11th
Head Coach: Scott Cross
Record at Troy: 9-22 / 2nd season
Career record: 234-183 / 14th season
THE SERIES:
In this interstate rivalry, UAB has won 11 of the 12 matchups. The initial game took place on Nov. 15, 2008 and the two squads have played every season with the exception of the 2014-15 season. Six of the first eight game were determined by double-figures, while the last four contests have been two-possession games. The last two games have been settled by one point.
TROY AT A GLANCE:
The Trojans have lost last season’s two leading scorers in Darian Adams (12.1 ppg) and Ty Gordon (12.1 ppg) as they transferred to Jacksonville State and Nicholls State respectively. Troy’s leading returning scorer is Zay Williams (11.1 ppg). The Trojans have 11 new faces on the roster, adding eight freshmen along with three Juco transfers.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Blazers freshman Rongie Gordon was a teammate of Troy’s Antwan Burnett at Sidney Lanier High School.
All UAB men’s basketball season ticket holders who completed their purchase by October 19 were able to be accommodated within the social distancing reallocation for the 2020-21 season. A limited number of season tickets remain in the upper level and can be purchased on a first come, first served basis. For those interested in season tickets, please fill out the season ticket request form or contact the UAB Ticket Office at 205-975-8221. A member of the UAB Athletics Ticket Sales and Service team will follow up with you regarding available seating options.
As a reminder, original season ticket locations from the men’s basketball priority seat allocation will be utilized for 2021-22 renewals or if capacity restrictions change during the 2020-21 season.
For more information on the UAB men’s basketball program, follow @UAB_MBB on Twitter and Instagram. Also be sure to follow @CoachAK13 on Twitter.
