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 Louisiana Tech (away Feb. 12-13) and Old Dominion (home Feb. 19-20).
LOUISIANA TECH QUICK FACTS:
Location: Ruston, La.
2019-20 Record: 22-8
2019-20 C-USA Record: 13-5, 2nd
Head Coach: Eric Konkol
Record at UTEP: 105-57 / 6th season
Career record: Same
THE SERIES:
UAB leads the series 8-7, however the Bulldogs lead 6-3 in Conference USA play. UAB won the first four matchups, which began in 1988. The teams also met three more times in 2001, 2003 and 2004 before a 10-year hiatus when the series resumed after LA Tech joined Conference USA during the 2014 season.
LOUISIANA TECH AT A GLANCE:
A veteran team, Tech returns 10 upperclassmen, including seven seniors. The Bulldogs return two of their top three scorers from last season in 2020 C-USA Sixth Man of the Year Kalob Ledoux (11.6 ppg) and Amorie Archibald (11.3 ppg).
DID YOU KNOW?
UAB assistant coach Terry Parker played for LA Tech for the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons.
OLD DOMINION QUICK FACTS:
Location: Roanoke, Va.
2019-20 Record: 13-19
2019-20 C-USA Record: 9-9, t-7TH
Head Coach: Jeff Jones
Record at Old Dominion : 153-86 / 8th season
Career record: 510-373
THE SERIES:
UAB leads the series 22-14. The teams first squared off on Jan. 20, 1983 when they teams were members of the Sun Belt Conference at the BJCC. The Blazers won 71-60. At Bartow Arena, UAB leads the series 14-3. The teams split a pair of games last year with each team protecting the home court.
OLD DOMINION AT A GLANCE:
After taking the 2019 crown, the Monarchs finished 9-9 in league play last season. They return leading scorer Malik Curry (13.4 ppg). ODU will be without second leading scorer Jason Wade (11.4 ppg), who underwent surgery to repair his torn Achilles tendon, which was torn during practice on Nov. 2.
DID YOU KNOW?
UAB and Old Dominion played in the 1984 Sun Belt championship game. The Blazers won 62-60.
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.
