BIRMINGHAM – The UAB men’s basketball team will host UTEP for a pair of games at Bartow Arena. Friday’s game will tipoff at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday’s matchup will start at 4 p.m. Both contests will be streamed on ESPN+.
AMONG THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY
Through games played Feb. 3, UAB is tied for ninth in the NCAA with 14 wins and tied for 10th with the best winning percentage (87.5).
UAB LATELY
The Blazers (14-2, 7-1 C-USA) are off to their best start since 2009-10 and have 14 wins in the first 16 games for only the sixth time in program history. UAB has only began the C-USA season 7-1 once before, in 2015-16. The Blazers are coming off a sweep of Middle Tennessee last weekend and have won four straight. In the Jan. 31 victory over MT, Kassim Nicholson recorded a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds and Trey Jemison added 12 points, six rebounds and five blocks. The Blazers have a NET of 70.
UTEP LATELY
The Miners are 8-8, 4-6 C-USA on the season. UTEP is coming off a split against UTSA last weekend. Souley Boum is fifth in C-USA in scoring averaging 17.8 ppg, follow by Bryson Williams who is ninth at 15.4 ppg. Williams is also eighth in the lead with 6.8 rpg. Jamal Bieniemy is fourth with 4.3 steals per game.
UAB AND UTEP HISTORY
UAB leads the all-time series 12-9, with eight of those wins coming in Birmingham. The series began on Dec. 28, 1987 with a pair of Hall of Fame coaches at the helms of their respected teams. Coach Bartow for UAB and Don Haskins for UTEP. The Blazers and Miners did not meet again until UTEP’s first year in C-USA in 2006. The matchup in 2011 was just one four times that a UAB game has gone into triple overtime. Robert Vaden’s school record tying 41 points and nine 3-pointers was set on Feb. 28, 2008 against the Miners. Current graduate assistant Aaron Johnson set a school record with 14 assists against UTEP on Jan. 8, 2011.
COMMON OPPONENTS
UAB and Middle Tennessee have six common opponents this season: Charlotte, LA Tech, North Texas, Rice, Southern Miss and UTSA.
BEST C-USA START
UAB is off to its best start since the formation of Conference USA in 1995-96. In addition to this season’s squad being 7-1, the 2015-16 team started off 7-1. Both Blazers squads played in the postseason.
14 of 16
For the sixth time in the 43-year history of the program, the Blazers have at least 14 wins in the first 16 games. The last time was in 2009-10. UAB did it four times under Coach Bartow: 1983-84, 1985-86, 1991-92, 1993-94. Every team made the postseason.
D-ING UP
In addition to being third in the nation in scoring defense (58.1), the Blazers are third in turnover margin (+6.9), seventh in eighth turnovers (10.0) and 13th in scoring margin (+16.5).
BLAZERS ADD RUST COLLEGE TO SCHEDULE
UAB has added Rust College to the schedule. The game will be played on Feb. 16 at Bartow Arena and will have a tipoff time of 6 p.m.
RADIO
Blazer men’s basketball games are set to air on 100.5 ESPN JOX 2 with David Crane and Murry Bartow on the call.
In addition, Crane will host Blazer Sportsline every Tuesday during Conference USA play. The show takes place live from Iron City Grill in downtown Birmingham and features men’s basketball head coach Andy Kennedy and women’s basketball head coach Randy Norton.
The nine-episode show, airs from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Blazer Sportsline can be heard on 100.5 ESPN JOX 2 and fans will be encouraged to tweet questions to @BlazersLIMGC.
Fans may also follow the Blazers this season by downloading the free TuneIn Radio app, online through Blazers All-Access at UABSports.com, or on the UAB Gameday mobile app.
STREAMING
Both games will be streamed through ESPN+. This is also a subscription-based service. Click here to register a new account.
UP NEXT
The Blazers hit the road to face LA Tech on Feb. 12 and Feb. 13. Tipoff times will be 6:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively. Both games will air on Stadium.
MEN’S BASKETBALL TICKET INFORMATION
In compliance with CDC and state and local public health guidance, UAB adjusted the seating manifest to adhere to social distancing at Bartow Arena for the 2020-21 season. UAB reallocated season ticket holders who had completed their purchase of season tickets through October 19 and placed season ticket holders based on Blazer Boosters Priority Points and the price type of tickets purchased. As a reminder, original season ticket locations prior to the social distancing reallocation will be utilized for 2021-22 renewals or if capacity restrictions change during the 2020-21 season.
Due to social distancing guidelines, men’s basketball single game tickets and walk up sales are not be available to the public for the 2020-21 season.
Fans interested in season tickets are encouraged to fill out the season ticket request form or contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1. A member of the UAB Athletics Sales and Service team will be in touch if capacity restrictions are lifted or when 2021-22 season tickets become available.
TICKET TRANSFER
Season ticket holders that cannot make it to the game are encouraged to transfer their game tickets. Click here (PDF) to learn more on how to transfer your tickets to a friend.
