The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Thursday, January 13
Bartow Arena
6:30 p.m.
UAB
vs
FIU
Photo by: Mario Terrana
UAB Returns to Bartow Thursday to Host FIU
1/12/2022 3:55:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM – The UAB men's basketball team returns home to Bartow Arena to host FIU on Thursday night. Thursday's tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. and will stream live on ESPN+.
UAB (13-4, 3-1 C-USA) split its road trip in Texas this past week, earning a NET Quadrant I victory at North Texas this past Thursday before dropping its first Conference USA contest on Saturday at Rice. The Blazers are a perfect 3-0 coming off a loss this season and are 8-1 following a defeat during the Andy Kennedy era.
UAB is undefeated inside Bartow Arena this season, winning each contest by 13 points or more. The Blazers are 5-5 against FIU (10-5, 0-2 C-USA) in the all-time series history, winning the most recent matchup played in Bartow Arena 84-65 on Jan. 5, 2019.
UAB LATELY
After earning a NET Quadrant I victory at North Texas on Thursday, the Blazers struggled to slow down Rice's offense in the second half, dropping Saturday's C-USA matchup to the Owls 85-80 in Houston. The Blazers led by five at the half and by as many as 10 in the second half, but the Owls chipped away at UAB's lead before jumping ahead for good with 6:02 remaining on the clock behind a pair of free throws from Travis Evee. Jordan Walker, who has scored 17 or more points in each of his past three games, poured in a team-high 20 points in the loss. Walker tallied 18 of his 20 points in the second half and chipped in with a team-high seven assists, which was just one helper shy of his season-high. In Thursday's victory, the Blazers dominated on the glass to move to 9-0 in games when they outrebound their opponents. On Saturday, Rice held a 38-27 advantage on the boards to help the Owls outscore UAB 17-2 in second-chance points. Blazers KJ Buffen (16), Tavin Lovan (14) and Quan Jackson (13) also reached double figures in scoring in the defeat.
FIU LATELY
FIU, who finished the regular season with a 10-3 record in nonconference play, has opened Conference USA play with back-to-back defeats to Old Dominion and at WKU. The Panthers hold a strong 10-1 combined record between home games and neutral site contests this season, winning the Jersey Mike's Classic in St. Petersburg, Florida, with wins over Ball State, Green Bay and UNC Greensboro. The Panthers have also earned Division I victories over North Dakota, North Florida, FGCU, Stetson and Bethune-Cookman. FIU is 0-4 on the road in 2021-22, but the Panthers have lost those contests by an average of only 7.3 points per game. Guard Tevin Brewer has started all 15 games for the Panthers and is averaging a team-high 15.5 points per game and 6.3 assists per game. On the glass, Clevon Brown paces FIU with 5.6 rebounds per game. FIU ranks first in Conference USA in assists per game (16.1), 3-point field goals made per game (10.7) and total 3-point field goals made (160).
COMMON OPPONENTS -- FIU
The Blazers and Panthers shared no common nonconference opponents.
NOTHING BUT "NET"
UAB's victory at North Texas this past Thursday marked its second NET (NCAA Evaluation Tool) Quadrant I victory of the 2021-22 season, both of which have come on the road in back-to-back games away from Birmingham. UAB checked in at No. 35 in the first NET rankings on Dec. 6, which was then a program high. The Blazers' previous high in the ranking system came in Andy Kennedy's first season back in Brimingham when UAB reached No. 48 in the NET ratings. UAB has reached as high as No. 28 in the ranking system this season and currently sits at No. 43 in the most recent ratings after its road loss at Rice on Saturday. North Texas (No. 57) sits 14 spots behind the Blazers to rank second in the rating system among C-USA foes.
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 10 of its 17 games so far this season, posting 12 or more eight times. The Blazers rank fifth nationally with 11.2 steals per game and first nationally with 190 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 (7.2) while ranking 21st nationally with 81.2 points per game on offense. The Blazers also rank fourth nationally with 314 total turnovers forced this season.
STACKING UP NICELY IN THE LEAGUE
UAB ranked first among Conference USA programs in a number of different team statistical categories entering C-USA play on Dec. 30, including scoring offense (82.2 points per game), scoring margin (21.2), steals per game (12.4) and turnover margin (8.6). Entering Thursday's matchup against the Panthers, UAB ranks first in the league in field-goal percentage defense (39.2%), scoring margin (18.7), scoring offense (81.2), steals per game (11.2), total rebounds (660), total steals (190), turnover margin (7.2) and turnovers forced per game (18.5).
"JELLY" TIME
Transfer point guard Jordan "Jelly" Walker opened his UAB career with a bang in UAB's season-opening victory over UNC Asheville, pouring in 19 points to go along with a team-high five assists. Walker then topped his opening-night performance with 23 points, seven assists and a steal in UAB's victory over Morehead State. After scoring a career-high 26 points in UAB's win over New Mexico on Thanksgiving Day, Walker continues to lead the Blazers in scoring with 16.1 points per game and assists with 4.7 assists per game. He has reached double figures for UAB in 15 of his 16 games played this season and has scored 20 points or more four times in 2021-22. Walker is averaging 16.8 points per game and 4.5 assists per game in conference play.
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
Thursday's game will stream live on ESPN+. This is a subscription-based service.
STUDENT PROMOTION: BIG MONEY GIVEAWAY
As UAB students return to class this week, UAB Athletics is offering students a BIG opportunity for a BIG payout. During Thursday night's game against FIU, three lucky students will be selected at random to try their hand at a full-court putt, an over-the-head half-court shot and a 25-second shootout. UAB students won't want to miss their chance at $45,000, so be sure to check in through the FiredUp Rewards app at the game.
TICKET PROMOTION: CELEBRATING ANDY KENNEDY'S 300TH CAREER WIN
Last time the Blazers were in Bartow Arena, head coach Andy Kennedy earned his 300th-career victory when UAB defeated UTSA 87-59. To celebrate this milestone victory, 300 lower-level tickets are available for $10 apiece to Thursday's game against FIU. For more information on this offer, click here.
TICKET PROMOTION: EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION
To show our appreciation for UAB employees, the remainder of our Thursday home games in Bartow Arena will offer an $8 ticket. All UAB employees need to do is show their ONE Card. For more information on this offer, click here.
UP NEXT
The Blazers will conclude their two-game home stand when Florida Atlantic comes to Birmingham for a Saturday afternoon matchup. UAB's matchup against the Owls is set for 3 p.m. and will stream live on ESPN+.
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 (13-4, 3-1 C-USA) split its road trip in Texas this past week, earning a NET Quadrant I victory at North Texas this past Thursday before dropping its first Conference USA contest on Saturday at Rice. The Blazers are a perfect 3-0 coming off a loss this season and are 8-1 following a defeat during the Andy Kennedy era.
UAB is undefeated inside Bartow Arena this season, winning each contest by 13 points or more. The Blazers are 5-5 against FIU (10-5, 0-2 C-USA) in the all-time series history, winning the most recent matchup played in Bartow Arena 84-65 on Jan. 5, 2019.
UAB LATELY
After earning a NET Quadrant I victory at North Texas on Thursday, the Blazers struggled to slow down Rice's offense in the second half, dropping Saturday's C-USA matchup to the Owls 85-80 in Houston. The Blazers led by five at the half and by as many as 10 in the second half, but the Owls chipped away at UAB's lead before jumping ahead for good with 6:02 remaining on the clock behind a pair of free throws from Travis Evee. Jordan Walker, who has scored 17 or more points in each of his past three games, poured in a team-high 20 points in the loss. Walker tallied 18 of his 20 points in the second half and chipped in with a team-high seven assists, which was just one helper shy of his season-high. In Thursday's victory, the Blazers dominated on the glass to move to 9-0 in games when they outrebound their opponents. On Saturday, Rice held a 38-27 advantage on the boards to help the Owls outscore UAB 17-2 in second-chance points. Blazers KJ Buffen (16), Tavin Lovan (14) and Quan Jackson (13) also reached double figures in scoring in the defeat.
FIU LATELY
FIU, who finished the regular season with a 10-3 record in nonconference play, has opened Conference USA play with back-to-back defeats to Old Dominion and at WKU. The Panthers hold a strong 10-1 combined record between home games and neutral site contests this season, winning the Jersey Mike's Classic in St. Petersburg, Florida, with wins over Ball State, Green Bay and UNC Greensboro. The Panthers have also earned Division I victories over North Dakota, North Florida, FGCU, Stetson and Bethune-Cookman. FIU is 0-4 on the road in 2021-22, but the Panthers have lost those contests by an average of only 7.3 points per game. Guard Tevin Brewer has started all 15 games for the Panthers and is averaging a team-high 15.5 points per game and 6.3 assists per game. On the glass, Clevon Brown paces FIU with 5.6 rebounds per game. FIU ranks first in Conference USA in assists per game (16.1), 3-point field goals made per game (10.7) and total 3-point field goals made (160).
COMMON OPPONENTS -- FIU
The Blazers and Panthers shared no common nonconference opponents.
NOTHING BUT "NET"
UAB's victory at North Texas this past Thursday marked its second NET (NCAA Evaluation Tool) Quadrant I victory of the 2021-22 season, both of which have come on the road in back-to-back games away from Birmingham. UAB checked in at No. 35 in the first NET rankings on Dec. 6, which was then a program high. The Blazers' previous high in the ranking system came in Andy Kennedy's first season back in Brimingham when UAB reached No. 48 in the NET ratings. UAB has reached as high as No. 28 in the ranking system this season and currently sits at No. 43 in the most recent ratings after its road loss at Rice on Saturday. North Texas (No. 57) sits 14 spots behind the Blazers to rank second in the rating system among C-USA foes.
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 10 of its 17 games so far this season, posting 12 or more eight times. The Blazers rank fifth nationally with 11.2 steals per game and first nationally with 190 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 (7.2) while ranking 21st nationally with 81.2 points per game on offense. The Blazers also rank fourth nationally with 314 total turnovers forced this season.
STACKING UP NICELY IN THE LEAGUE
UAB ranked first among Conference USA programs in a number of different team statistical categories entering C-USA play on Dec. 30, including scoring offense (82.2 points per game), scoring margin (21.2), steals per game (12.4) and turnover margin (8.6). Entering Thursday's matchup against the Panthers, UAB ranks first in the league in field-goal percentage defense (39.2%), scoring margin (18.7), scoring offense (81.2), steals per game (11.2), total rebounds (660), total steals (190), turnover margin (7.2) and turnovers forced per game (18.5).
"JELLY" TIME
Transfer point guard Jordan "Jelly" Walker opened his UAB career with a bang in UAB's season-opening victory over UNC Asheville, pouring in 19 points to go along with a team-high five assists. Walker then topped his opening-night performance with 23 points, seven assists and a steal in UAB's victory over Morehead State. After scoring a career-high 26 points in UAB's win over New Mexico on Thanksgiving Day, Walker continues to lead the Blazers in scoring with 16.1 points per game and assists with 4.7 assists per game. He has reached double figures for UAB in 15 of his 16 games played this season and has scored 20 points or more four times in 2021-22. Walker is averaging 16.8 points per game and 4.5 assists per game in conference play.
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
Thursday's game will stream live on ESPN+. This is a subscription-based service.
STUDENT PROMOTION: BIG MONEY GIVEAWAY
As UAB students return to class this week, UAB Athletics is offering students a BIG opportunity for a BIG payout. During Thursday night's game against FIU, three lucky students will be selected at random to try their hand at a full-court putt, an over-the-head half-court shot and a 25-second shootout. UAB students won't want to miss their chance at $45,000, so be sure to check in through the FiredUp Rewards app at the game.
TICKET PROMOTION: CELEBRATING ANDY KENNEDY'S 300TH CAREER WIN
Last time the Blazers were in Bartow Arena, head coach Andy Kennedy earned his 300th-career victory when UAB defeated UTSA 87-59. To celebrate this milestone victory, 300 lower-level tickets are available for $10 apiece to Thursday's game against FIU. For more information on this offer, click here.
TICKET PROMOTION: EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION
To show our appreciation for UAB employees, the remainder of our Thursday home games in Bartow Arena will offer an $8 ticket. All UAB employees need to do is show their ONE Card. For more information on this offer, click here.
UP NEXT
The Blazers will conclude their two-game home stand when Florida Atlantic comes to Birmingham for a Saturday afternoon matchup. UAB's matchup against the Owls is set for 3 p.m. and will stream live on ESPN+.
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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