The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Announces 2009-10 Non-Conference Men's Basketball Slate
7/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
July 21, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - High profile games against Georgia, Arkansas, Virginia, Cincinnati and Butler highlight UAB's 14-game 2009-10 non-conference schedule, which was announced by Blazers' head coach Mike Davis on Tuesday. In addition, the Blazers are also slated to play instate foes South Alabama, Jacksonville State, Troy and Samford during the season.
Despite losing seven letterwinners from a year ago, Davis did not shy away from putting together a strong slate for the 2009-10 campaign. He feels the Blazers will benefit in the long run from playing such a strong non-conference schedule.
"This is a terrific non-conference schedule that will test us early and often throughout the early part of the year," UAB head coach Mike Davis said. "Playing against such strong competition will be a great experience and get us ready for the conference season. We are looking forward to getting things started."
One of the highlights of this year's schedule will be when the Blazers open the home portion of the non-conference slate on Nov. 21. That's when UAB welcomes Southeastern Conference foe Georgia, which will mark the first of two games against SEC competition in the upcoming year. The Bulldogs will make their first ever appearance in Bartow Arena, while representing only the fifth time an SEC team has invaded the Blazers' current home arena and the first since Mississippi State played at UAB on Jan. 2, 2003.
The Blazers will also travel to take on Arkansas on Jan. 2 in Fayetteville, Ark. It will mark the third time the two teams have met on the hardwood, but it will be the first time the two teams squared off since the 1991 season.
UAB opens its 32nd season of basketball, and fourth under Davis, with four games on the road, beginning when the Blazers participate at the Kent State Hispanic Fund Classic in Kent, Ohio on Nov. 13-15. The Green and Gold will play three games in the three-day event against Wisconsin-Green Bay, tournament host Kent State and crosstown rival Samford. It is the fourth straight season UAB has opened its season away from Bartow Arena.
Following the tournament, UAB will remain on the road to take on Jacksonville State on Nov. 17, marking the second time in two seasons the two instate rivals will meet on the hardwood.
The Georgia contest will commence a five-game homestand for the Blazers. Following the game against the Bulldogs, UAB will host Troy (Nov. 24), Florida A&M (Nov. 28), Middle Tennessee State (Dec. 2) and East Tennessee State (Dec. 4).
It will be a special occasion when the Blazers host the Bucs of ETSU, who are led by former Blazer head coach Murry Bartow. Plans are in the works to honor Murry's father, Hall of Fame coach and UAB legend Gene Bartow, during the Dec. 4 festivities.
The Blazers will end their non-conference slate on a tough five-game stretch that is sure to get UAB ready for conference play. First UAB will welcome former Conference USA rival and current Big East member Cincinnati to Bartow Arena on Dec. 16. The Blazers will then battle South Alabama in the Coors Classic at the 10,000-seat Mitchell Center in Mobile, Ala., Dec. 19. The game will be a part of a doubleheader, which will also include Alabama against Kansas State.
UAB will close out the home portion of the non-conference schedule with a home game against Butler on Dec. 22. The Blazers and Bulldogs met last season in Indianapolis, Ind., when Butler snuck away with a 72-68 victory.
"Having the likes of Georgia, Butler and Cincinnati come to Birmingham is great for our University and the city," Davis said. "We know our players and fans will be excited to see those teams come to our campus."
Prior to the non-conference finale at Arkansas, the Blazers will be on the road to take on ACC foe Virginia on Dec. 30, which will mark the second meeting between the two schools in program history. The only other time the two teams met on the hardwood came in the Sweet 16 of the 1982 NCAA Tournament. The Blazers won that contest, 68-66, to advance to the only Elite Eight in school history.
Season tickets for the 2009-10 UAB men's basketball season will go on sale in mid-July. Tickets range from $215 for the general public to $195 for UAB Employees and members of the National Alumni Society. The most convenient way to order tickets is online at www.uabsports.com. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the UAB Athletic Ticket Office or by calling toll-free, (205) 975-UAB1.
The C-USA portion of the Blazers' schedule will be released at a later date.
2009-10 UAB Men's Basketball Non-Conference Schedule
Fri-Sun November 13-15 @ Kent State's Hispanic Fund Classic#
Tues November 17 @ Jacksonville State
Sat November 21 GEORGIA
Tues November 24 TROY
Sat November 28 FLORIDA A&M
Wed December 2 Middle Tennessee State
Fri December 4 East Tennessee State
Wed December 16 CINCINNATI
Sat December 19 @ South Alabama
Tues December 22 BUTLER
Wed December 30 @ Virginia
Sat January 2 @ Arkansas
#Played in Kent, Ohio (Kent State University)
