BIRMINGHAM – UAB head men’s basketball coach Andy Kennedy has announced that the Blazers will host Georgia Tech at Bartow Arena on December 23, 2020. UAB will return to Georgia Tech for a pair of contests during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons.
“We are really excited about hosting Georgia Tech,” said Kennedy. “They are the first ACC opponent to play in Bartow Arena since 2013 and I know our fans will be ready.”
On December 1, 2013 the Blazers defeated No. 16 North Carolina 63-59 in front of 8,313 fans at Bartow. The last ACC matchup for UAB was during the 2018-19 season when the Blazers played Florida State in the Advocare Invitational in Orlando, Fla.
December’s game will be the first time that the Blazers and Yellow Jackets have met.
Georgia Tech finished the 2019-20 season 17-14 and in fifth place with an 11-9 record in ACC play. The Yellow Jackets return five of their top six scorers from last year, including leading scorer and ACC Honorable Mention recipient Michael Devoe (15.4 ppg), Third-Team All-ACC performer Jose Alvarado (14.0 ppg) and ACC All-Defensive Team honoree James Banks III (9.4 ppg / 7.5 rpg / 2.4 bpg).
The Blazers return five players from last year’s roster – leading scorer Tavin Lovan (13.2 ppg), Conference USA All-Rookie Team member Jalen Benjamin (11.9 ppg), Tyreek Scott-Grayson (10.0 ppg), Kassim Nicholson (5.7 ppg) and Koby Jeffries who redshirted last season.
New to the 2020-21 roster are a pair of graduate transfers Michael Ertel and Quan Jackson. Ertel comes from Louisiana Monroe and Jackson from Georgia Southern. Both were named to Sun Belt Second Team All-Conference in 2020.
Birmingham native Trey Jemison comes home to Birmingham after playing his first two seasons at Clemson. Junior college transfer Simeon Kirkland comes to the Magic City by way of Florida SouthWestern State. Alabama natives Tony Toney and Rongie Gordon along with Terrell Ard, Jr. and Tobias Rotegaard will make up the freshmen class.
2020-21 UAB men’s basketball season tickets are on sale now. Current basketball season ticket holders can click here to renew their seats for the upcoming season. Fans interested in purchasing new season tickets can do so starting as low as $100 with the Blaze’s Corner season ticket.
For questions regarding your 2020-21 UAB Basketball season ticket order, email the UAB Athletics Ticket Sales and Service team at tickets@uab.edu or call (205) 975-UAB1. Ticket representatives are working remotely at this time but can be contacted during normal business hours of 9:00 AM through 5:00 PM. Fans can also request more information on ticket options for the upcoming season here.
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.
