BIRMINGHAM – For the first time in 20 days, the UAB men’s basketball team will take to the Bartow Arena floor, beginning its 26th season of Conference USA play when they host Southern Miss. The Blazers and the Golden Eagles will play a pair of games – Friday night at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m.
UAB LATELY
The Blazers (7-1) have not played since Dec. 19 when they suffered their first loss of season after falling 69-66 to Chattanooga. UAB’s seven game winning streak to begin the season was the best start in program history.
SOUTHERN MISS LATELY
The Golden Eagles (5-4) split their C-USA opening series last weekend against UTEP, taking Friday’s game 74-66 in overtime before falling 77-62 on Saturday. Tyler Stevenson is USM’s leading scorer (11.8 ppg) rebounds (7.6 rpg). Reigning C-USA Rookie of the Week Jaron Pierre Jr. is second on the Golden Eagles with 11.5 ppg.
UAB AND SOUTHERN MISS HISTORY
In one of UAB’s most played series, the Blazers are 32-19 against the Golden Eagles. The two teams began play on Jan. 10, 1979 at the BJCC and met 19 days later in Hattiesburg – both Blazers victories. They would meet in 1980 and 1981 before the inaugural season of Conference USA 15 years later.
UAB AND SOUTHERN MISS ALL-TIME
OVERALL: UAB leads 32-19
IN BIRMINGHAM: UAB leads 18-6
IN HATTIESBURG: UAB leads 12-11
AT A NEUTRAL SITE: Series tied 2-2
IN CONFERENCE USA PLAY: UAB leads 27-17
D-ING UP
As a team, the Blazers rank second in the country in field-goal percentage defense. Opponents are only shooting 34.4% against UAB this season. They are third in 3-point FG defense (.228). The 56.5 points per game is the second lowest in the NCAA..
TALL TREY
Trey Jemison returned home to Birmingham in April after playing two seasons at Clemson. The 7-0 junior center is tied for 14th in the NCAA in blocks (24) and 10th in blocks per game (3.00). He is second in Conference USA in both categories.
MAGIC CITY MIKE
Ertel’s 19 points against ETSU was his highest scoring game wearing a UAB uniform. The graduate transfer from ULM is the only Blazer to record double figures in all seven games this season. On the season, he is averaging a team-best 14.5 ppg.
UAB FOOTBALL TO BE RECOGNIZED
The Conference USA champion UAB football team and head coach Bill Clark will be recognized at the first media timeout of first half.
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 feature 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
Friday’s game will be streamed through CUSA.TV. This is a subscription-based service that offers a variety of packages. Click here to register a new account.
Saturday’s game 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 Charlotte on Jan. 15 (4 p.m.) and Jan. 16 (3 p.m.).
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.
