The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Saturday, January 1
Bartow Arena
2 p.m.
UAB
vs
UTSA
Photo by: Ken Shepherd
UAB Hosts UTSA to Open 2022 in Bartow Arena
12/31/2021 2:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM – The UAB men's basketball team will open 2022 with a New Year's Day matchup against UTSA (6-6) in Bartow Arena. Saturday's tipoff is set for 2 p.m. and will stream live on CUSA.tv.
UAB (11-3) moved to a perfect 9-0 in Bartow Arena this season behind a 75-62 victory over UTEP in Thursday's C-USA opener. Michael Ertel, Tavin Lovan and Jordan Walker each reached double figures in scoring to help head coach Andy Kennedy earn the 299th victory of his collegiate coaching career. Kennedy is now 33-10 (.767) since returning to his alma mater in March 2020.
The Blazers hold an 8-5 record against the Roadrunners in the all-time series, splitting the past 10 matchups with UTSA. UAB split with the Roadrunners this past season in San Antonio, winning the first game of the weekend series 64-57 before dropping the concluding matchup 96-79.
UAB LATELY
Graduate guard Michael Ertel picked the perfect time to post a season-high in scoring, pouring in 25 points on 10-of-19 shooting from the field to lead the Blazers to a 75-62 win over UTEP in their Conference USA opener. UAB's victory not only marked its ninth double-digit victory in Bartow Arena this season, but it also secured the Green and Gold's sixth straight win over the Miners. Tavin Lovan chipped in with 14 points of his own, tallying 12 of those points in the game's final 20 minutes behind three highlight reel slam dunks. In total, the Blazers tallied 26 victories in games played in 2021.
UTSA LATELY
After its C-USA opener at Middle Tennessee was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns within the Blue Raiders' program, UTSA will now open its Conference USA schedule against UAB in Bartow Arena. The Roadrunners are 6-6 to open the season, earning Division I victories over Denver, IUPUI, Lamar and Sam Houston State. The Roadrunners are 0-3 on the road to open their 2021-22 campaign and are 18-50 in road contests in the Steve Henson era. Four Roadrunners -- Dhieu Deing (16.4), Jordan Ivy-Curry (14.1), Jacob Germany (14.0) and Cedrick Alley Jr. (10.0) are averaging double figures for UTSA this season. Alley Jr. also paces the Roadrunners with 7.6 rebounds per contest and 29 offensive boards for the season.
COMMON OPPONENTS – UTSA
The Blazers and Roadrunners shared no common nonconference opponents.
PREVIOUS 10 MATCHUPS IN THE SERIES
2/4/17___ at UTSA_______________________ L, 67-82
1/27/18__ UTSA________________________ L, 70-82
1/19/19__ UTSA________________________ W, 83-73
3/3/19___ at UTSA_______________________ L, 70-76
3/14/19__ vs. UTSA_____________________ W, 85-76
1/30/20__ at UTSA______________________ W, 76-68
3/1/20___ at UTSA_______________________ L, 59-66
3/11/20__ vs. UTSA_____________________ W, 74-69
2/26/21__ at UTSA______________________ W, 64-57
2/27/21__ at UTSA_______________________ L, 79-96
AK CLOSING IN ON 300
After posting his 11th 20-win season in 2020-21, Andy Kennedy sits just ONE win away from posting his 300th career victory as a collegiate head coach. AK will go for the milestone victory on Saturday against UTSA. Kennedy would join UAB Athletics founder Gene Bartow as only the second Blazer head coach to notch career victory No. 300 while coaching the Green and Gold.
EXPECTATIONS WELCOMED
In October, the league's coaches selected UAB as the favorite to win the Conference USA regular season championship. The Blazers, who won a league-best 13 C-USA games this past season, earned eight of the 14 first-place votes.
PICKING POCKETS
With 23 steals in Nov. 14's win over Rhodes College, the Blazers tied a school record for steals in a single game. UAB tallied 15 of its 23 steals in the first half, helping the Blazers tie their single-game steals record for the first time since 2005. UAB has recorded double-digit steal tallies in nine of its 14 games so far this season, posting 12 or more eight times. The Blazers rank third nationally with 11.9 steals per game and first nationally with 166 total steals.
EFFICIENCY IS KEY
In 2020-21, the UAB defense led the Blazers to a 22-7 record and a league-best 13 C-USA victories. So far this season, both the offense and defense have fueled UAB's success, ranking second in the nation in turnover margin (8.1) while ranking 21st nationally with 81.7 points per game on offense. The Blazers also rank second nationally with 277 total turnovers forced this season.
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 beginning Dec. 28. 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 @UABLearfield.
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.
WATCH
Saturday's game will stream live on CUSA.tv. This is a subscription-based service.
TICKET PROMOTION: NEW YEARS 2 FOR $22 SPECIAL
To ring in the new year, fans can purchase two tickets for just $22 for UAB's Conference USA opener against UTEP (Thursday, Dec. 30) and/or Saturday's matchup against UTSA on New Year's Day. For more information on this ticket offer, click here.
UP NEXT
The Blazers will hit the road for the first time since Dec. 4 when they take on defending Conference USA Tournament champion North Texas in Denton, Texas. Tipoff for Thursday's game is set for 7 p.m. and will be carried live on CBS Sports Network.
UAB BASKETBALL AT BARTOW ARENA
UAB requires wearing a mask indoors – regardless of vaccine status – unless actively eating or drinking and encourages masks during outdoor events, alongside regular handwashing.
MEN'S BASKETBALL TICKET INFORMATION
UAB men's basketball single-game tickets start as low as $12 and can be purchased by clicking here or calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.
Discounted group tickets and fan experiences are available for a minimum purchase of 15 tickets to any home basketball game during the 2021-22 season. Groups are encouraged to complete the UAB Basketball Group Ticket Request Form or call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office for more information.
UAB (11-3) moved to a perfect 9-0 in Bartow Arena this season behind a 75-62 victory over UTEP in Thursday's C-USA opener. Michael Ertel, Tavin Lovan and Jordan Walker each reached double figures in scoring to help head coach Andy Kennedy earn the 299th victory of his collegiate coaching career. Kennedy is now 33-10 (.767) since returning to his alma mater in March 2020.
The Blazers hold an 8-5 record against the Roadrunners in the all-time series, splitting the past 10 matchups with UTSA. UAB split with the Roadrunners this past season in San Antonio, winning the first game of the weekend series 64-57 before dropping the concluding matchup 96-79.
UAB LATELY
Graduate guard Michael Ertel picked the perfect time to post a season-high in scoring, pouring in 25 points on 10-of-19 shooting from the field to lead the Blazers to a 75-62 win over UTEP in their Conference USA opener. UAB's victory not only marked its ninth double-digit victory in Bartow Arena this season, but it also secured the Green and Gold's sixth straight win over the Miners. Tavin Lovan chipped in with 14 points of his own, tallying 12 of those points in the game's final 20 minutes behind three highlight reel slam dunks. In total, the Blazers tallied 26 victories in games played in 2021.
UTSA LATELY
After its C-USA opener at Middle Tennessee was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns within the Blue Raiders' program, UTSA will now open its Conference USA schedule against UAB in Bartow Arena. The Roadrunners are 6-6 to open the season, earning Division I victories over Denver, IUPUI, Lamar and Sam Houston State. The Roadrunners are 0-3 on the road to open their 2021-22 campaign and are 18-50 in road contests in the Steve Henson era. Four Roadrunners -- Dhieu Deing (16.4), Jordan Ivy-Curry (14.1), Jacob Germany (14.0) and Cedrick Alley Jr. (10.0) are averaging double figures for UTSA this season. Alley Jr. also paces the Roadrunners with 7.6 rebounds per contest and 29 offensive boards for the season.
COMMON OPPONENTS – UTSA
The Blazers and Roadrunners shared no common nonconference opponents.
PREVIOUS 10 MATCHUPS IN THE SERIES
2/4/17___ at UTSA_______________________ L, 67-82
1/27/18__ UTSA________________________ L, 70-82
1/19/19__ UTSA________________________ W, 83-73
3/3/19___ at UTSA_______________________ L, 70-76
3/14/19__ vs. UTSA_____________________ W, 85-76
1/30/20__ at UTSA______________________ W, 76-68
3/1/20___ at UTSA_______________________ L, 59-66
3/11/20__ vs. UTSA_____________________ W, 74-69
2/26/21__ at UTSA______________________ W, 64-57
2/27/21__ at UTSA_______________________ L, 79-96
AK CLOSING IN ON 300
After posting his 11th 20-win season in 2020-21, Andy Kennedy sits just ONE win away from posting his 300th career victory as a collegiate head coach. AK will go for the milestone victory on Saturday against UTSA. Kennedy would join UAB Athletics founder Gene Bartow as only the second Blazer head coach to notch career victory No. 300 while coaching the Green and Gold.
EXPECTATIONS WELCOMED
In October, the league's coaches selected UAB as the favorite to win the Conference USA regular season championship. The Blazers, who won a league-best 13 C-USA games this past season, earned eight of the 14 first-place votes.
PICKING POCKETS
With 23 steals in Nov. 14's win over Rhodes College, the Blazers tied a school record for steals in a single game. UAB tallied 15 of its 23 steals in the first half, helping the Blazers tie their single-game steals record for the first time since 2005. UAB has recorded double-digit steal tallies in nine of its 14 games so far this season, posting 12 or more eight times. The Blazers rank third nationally with 11.9 steals per game and first nationally with 166 total steals.
EFFICIENCY IS KEY
In 2020-21, the UAB defense led the Blazers to a 22-7 record and a league-best 13 C-USA victories. So far this season, both the offense and defense have fueled UAB's success, ranking second in the nation in turnover margin (8.1) while ranking 21st nationally with 81.7 points per game on offense. The Blazers also rank second nationally with 277 total turnovers forced this season.
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 beginning Dec. 28. 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 @UABLearfield.
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.
WATCH
Saturday's game will stream live on CUSA.tv. This is a subscription-based service.
TICKET PROMOTION: NEW YEARS 2 FOR $22 SPECIAL
To ring in the new year, fans can purchase two tickets for just $22 for UAB's Conference USA opener against UTEP (Thursday, Dec. 30) and/or Saturday's matchup against UTSA on New Year's Day. For more information on this ticket offer, click here.
UP NEXT
The Blazers will hit the road for the first time since Dec. 4 when they take on defending Conference USA Tournament champion North Texas in Denton, Texas. Tipoff for Thursday's game is set for 7 p.m. and will be carried live on CBS Sports Network.
UAB BASKETBALL AT BARTOW ARENA
UAB requires wearing a mask indoors – regardless of vaccine status – unless actively eating or drinking and encourages masks during outdoor events, alongside regular handwashing.
MEN'S BASKETBALL TICKET INFORMATION
UAB men's basketball single-game tickets start as low as $12 and can be purchased by clicking here or calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.
Discounted group tickets and fan experiences are available for a minimum purchase of 15 tickets to any home basketball game during the 2021-22 season. Groups are encouraged to complete the UAB Basketball Group Ticket Request Form or call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office for more information.
Players Mentioned
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