BIRMINGHAM – The UAB men’s basketball team looks to become the first squad in program history to begin the season 6-0 when they travel to Johnson City, Tenn. to face ETSU on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff is at 3 p.m. (CT)/4 p.m. (ET).
CHASING HISTORY
The only other UAB squad to begin the season 5-0 was Coach Gene Bartow’s 1983-84 team. The Blazers went on to win 23 games, the Sun Belt Championship and received a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
UAB AND ETSU HISTORY
The Blazers and Bucs have met three times with UAB winning each meeting. The series began on Dec. 15, 1984 – a 72-57 win for the Blazers in Johnson City. The following year, on Dec. 4, 1985, UAB defeated ETSU 63-44 at the BJCC. Exactly 24 years later, the series resumed at Bartow Arena, with the Blazers winning 74-52. This game was the inaugural Bartow Classic.
UAB LATELY
The Blazers (5-0) are coming off an 89-64 victory over Tuskegee on Wednesday night. Tavin Lovan and Quan Jackson each scored 22 points in the win. UAB shot a season-best 56% from the field.
ETSU LATELY
ETSU has not played since the season-opening Gulf Coast Showcase. After falling to Abilene Christian 70-47 (Nov. 25) and Austin Peay 67-66 (Nov. 26), the Bucs were 57-43 winners over Middle Tennessee on Nov. 27. Their game against UNC-Asheville on Dec. 8 was canceled.
WE GOT A STEAL
Graduate transfer Quan Jackson is third in the NCAA in steals (18) and sixth steals per game (3.6). He ranks first in Conference USA in total steals and steals per game.
TALL TREY
Trey Jemison returned home to Birmingham in April after playing two seasons at Clemson. The 7-0 junior center ranks second in the NCAA in blocks (19) and fourth in blocks per game (3.8). He is second in Conference USA in both categories.
ON THE DOUBLE
Jemison has recorded a pair double-doubles this season. In UAB’s win over Kennesaw State, he posted career-highs with 13 points and 14 rebounds. The following game against Troy, he tied his career-high with 13 points and pulled down 10 boards. He is only one of 18 players in the NCAA to record two or more double-doubles this season.
MAGIC CITY MIKE
Ertel’s 17 points against Troy was his highest scoring game wearing a UAB uniform. The graduate transfer from ULM is just one of two Blazers to have scored in double figures in all five games this season joining Jackson. On the season, he is averaging 13.4 ppg.
TAVIN TOPS TROY, TUSKEGEE
Over the last two games, Lovan is averaging 20.0 ppg. The junior scored 18 against Troy on 7-of-10 from the field and followed up with 22 against Tuskegee, making 5-of-7 shots. Additionally, against the Tigers, he made a career-high 12 free throws.
LIVE STREAMING
Saturday’s game will be streamed through ESPN+. This is a subscription-based service that offers a variety of packages. Click here to register a new account.
Continue to monitor the UABsports.com schedule page as additional broadcast information is announced.
AUDIO/BLAZER SPORTSLINE
Landrum Roberts will be on the call for Saturday’s game. The game will be broadcast exclusively on Blazer All-Access, the GameDay App (Google Play | App Store) as well as the TuneIn App.
In addition, David Crane will host Blazer Sportsline every Tuesday during Conference USA play. The show will take 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, which will air from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., begins Jan. 5. 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.
UP NEXT
The Blazers return home to host Southern on Dec. 16. Tipoff is at 6:30 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.
