The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Saturday, January 15
Bartow Arena
3 p.m.
UAB
vs
FLORIDA ATLANTIC
UAB Concludes Homestand on Saturday Against Florida Atlantic
1/14/2022 2:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM – The UAB men's basketball team closes out its short two-game homestand when the Blazers host Florida Atlantic on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. at Bartow Arena and will stream live on ESPN+.
Winners in five of the last six contests, UAB (14-4, 4-1 C-USA) looks to continue its winning ways at Bartow Arena following an 84-56 victory over FIU on Thursday night. Dating back to the 2020-21 season, the Green and Gold have won 12-straight games at Bartow.
Florida Atlantic (8-7, 1-1 C-USA) dropped its first conference game of the season in a 70-57 decision at Middle Tennessee on Thursday evening. UAB leads the all-time series over the Owls, 10-3. The Green and Gold are 5-0 versus Florida Atlantic in Birmingham.
UAB LATELY
After having a slow start out of the gate on Thursday, the Blazers dominated the final 30 minutes of their 84-56 victory over FIU in Bartow Arena. Head coach Andy Kennedy called timeout with 9:58 remaining on the clock in the first half as the Blazers faced an 11-point deficit, and his team responded with authority. The Blazers outscored FIU 71-32 over the final 29:58, including a 46-22 advantage in the second half. Jordan Walker paced the Blazers with a game-high 20 points, while KJ Buffen dominated the offensive glass to help him post his fourth double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Tavin Lovan (12) and Michael Ertel (10) also reached double figures as UAB went 11-of-23 from behind the 3-point line, including 53.9% (7-of-13) in the final 20 minutes.
UAB is now 9-1 following a loss in the Andy Kennedy era. A win on Saturday would mark just the third time in program history the Blazers started a season 12-0 in Bartow Arena, which has been the home of UAB Basketball since the 1988-89 season. UAB started 12-0 or better in its on-campus home in 2015-16 and 2008-09.
FLORIDA ATLANTIC LATELY
FAU holds an 8-7 overall record and an even 1-1 mark in Conference USA play. The Owls earned their first road victory of the season in their C-USA opener at Marshall this past weekend, posting a 90-77 victory over the Thundering Herd in Huntington. Guard Michael Forrest, who leads the team in scoring with 14.4 points per game, scored a season-high 27 points in the road victory. Aside from its win at Marshall, the Owls have struggled away from Boca Raton, holding a 1-4 record on the road.
The Owls rank first in Conference USA with a 5.3 rebounding margin, but they struggle to guard shots out on the perimeter, ranking last in the conference and 338th nationally in 3-point field goal defense (38.0%). FAU head coach Dusty May served as an assistant coach at UAB from 2007-09 under former UAB head coach Mike Davis.
COMMON OPPONENTS – FLORIDA ATLANTIC
The Blazers and Owls have shared just one common nonconference opponent so far this season -- New Mexico. UAB knocked off the Lobos 86-73 in its opening-round matchup of the Las Vegas Invitational. FAU dropped its season opener in New Mexico 99-92.
LAST 10 MATCHUPS IN THE SERIES
3/5/15___at Florida Atlantic_________L, 59-62
2/6/16___Florida Atlantic_________W, 104-67
3/5/16___at Florida Atlantic________W, 73-70
1/19/17___at Florida Atlantic_______W, 80-78
3/2/17___Florida Atlantic__________W, 79-59
1/4/18___at Florida Atlantic________W, 75-44
3/7/18___vs. Florida Atlantic_______ W, 83-72
1/3/19___Florida Atlantic__________W, 67-50
1/18/20___at Florida Atlantic_______W, 68-65
2/22/20___at Florida Atlantic________L, 58-65
STACKING UP NICELY IN 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 Saturday's matchup against the Owls, UAB ranks first in the league in field-goal percentage defense (38.9%), scoring margin (19.2), scoring offense (81.3), steals per game (10.9), total rebounds (705), total steals (197), turnover margin (7.1), turnovers forced per game (18.3) and fewest turnovers committed per game (11.2).
RISING IN KENPOM
UAB's highest rank this season of 42nd in the KenPom ratings is the Blazers' best since the 2010-11 season. Following UAB's bounce-back win over FIU, the Blazers moved up to No. 43 in the most recent KenPom ratings. The next closest team to UAB in Conference USA is Louisiana Tech at 71.
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 ESPN+. This is a subscription-based service and can be viewed by clicking here.
TICKET PROMOTION: FAMILY FOUR PACK
Back by popular demand, UAB Men's Basketball is excited to provide our Family Four Pack ticket discount. This season's Family Four Pack Offer includes four (4) tickets and four (4) popcorns for just $40. Extra tickets, if needed, may also be purchased for an additional $10.
For more information on this offer, click here.
Upon entering Bartow Arena, you and your family will also have the opportunity to create custom posters, take pictures in our photo booth and enjoy a face painting station all located on the concourse. During the game, we will have a diaper wrap-off and baby races.
UP NEXT The Blazers travel to Ruston, La. for a matchup with Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Jan. 22. Tipoff from the Thomas Assembly Center is set for 3 p.m. and will air on Stadium.
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.
Winners in five of the last six contests, UAB (14-4, 4-1 C-USA) looks to continue its winning ways at Bartow Arena following an 84-56 victory over FIU on Thursday night. Dating back to the 2020-21 season, the Green and Gold have won 12-straight games at Bartow.
Florida Atlantic (8-7, 1-1 C-USA) dropped its first conference game of the season in a 70-57 decision at Middle Tennessee on Thursday evening. UAB leads the all-time series over the Owls, 10-3. The Green and Gold are 5-0 versus Florida Atlantic in Birmingham.
UAB LATELY
After having a slow start out of the gate on Thursday, the Blazers dominated the final 30 minutes of their 84-56 victory over FIU in Bartow Arena. Head coach Andy Kennedy called timeout with 9:58 remaining on the clock in the first half as the Blazers faced an 11-point deficit, and his team responded with authority. The Blazers outscored FIU 71-32 over the final 29:58, including a 46-22 advantage in the second half. Jordan Walker paced the Blazers with a game-high 20 points, while KJ Buffen dominated the offensive glass to help him post his fourth double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Tavin Lovan (12) and Michael Ertel (10) also reached double figures as UAB went 11-of-23 from behind the 3-point line, including 53.9% (7-of-13) in the final 20 minutes.
UAB is now 9-1 following a loss in the Andy Kennedy era. A win on Saturday would mark just the third time in program history the Blazers started a season 12-0 in Bartow Arena, which has been the home of UAB Basketball since the 1988-89 season. UAB started 12-0 or better in its on-campus home in 2015-16 and 2008-09.
FLORIDA ATLANTIC LATELY
FAU holds an 8-7 overall record and an even 1-1 mark in Conference USA play. The Owls earned their first road victory of the season in their C-USA opener at Marshall this past weekend, posting a 90-77 victory over the Thundering Herd in Huntington. Guard Michael Forrest, who leads the team in scoring with 14.4 points per game, scored a season-high 27 points in the road victory. Aside from its win at Marshall, the Owls have struggled away from Boca Raton, holding a 1-4 record on the road.
The Owls rank first in Conference USA with a 5.3 rebounding margin, but they struggle to guard shots out on the perimeter, ranking last in the conference and 338th nationally in 3-point field goal defense (38.0%). FAU head coach Dusty May served as an assistant coach at UAB from 2007-09 under former UAB head coach Mike Davis.
COMMON OPPONENTS – FLORIDA ATLANTIC
The Blazers and Owls have shared just one common nonconference opponent so far this season -- New Mexico. UAB knocked off the Lobos 86-73 in its opening-round matchup of the Las Vegas Invitational. FAU dropped its season opener in New Mexico 99-92.
LAST 10 MATCHUPS IN THE SERIES
3/5/15___at Florida Atlantic_________L, 59-62
2/6/16___Florida Atlantic_________W, 104-67
3/5/16___at Florida Atlantic________W, 73-70
1/19/17___at Florida Atlantic_______W, 80-78
3/2/17___Florida Atlantic__________W, 79-59
1/4/18___at Florida Atlantic________W, 75-44
3/7/18___vs. Florida Atlantic_______ W, 83-72
1/3/19___Florida Atlantic__________W, 67-50
1/18/20___at Florida Atlantic_______W, 68-65
2/22/20___at Florida Atlantic________L, 58-65
STACKING UP NICELY IN 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 Saturday's matchup against the Owls, UAB ranks first in the league in field-goal percentage defense (38.9%), scoring margin (19.2), scoring offense (81.3), steals per game (10.9), total rebounds (705), total steals (197), turnover margin (7.1), turnovers forced per game (18.3) and fewest turnovers committed per game (11.2).
RISING IN KENPOM
UAB's highest rank this season of 42nd in the KenPom ratings is the Blazers' best since the 2010-11 season. Following UAB's bounce-back win over FIU, the Blazers moved up to No. 43 in the most recent KenPom ratings. The next closest team to UAB in Conference USA is Louisiana Tech at 71.
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 ESPN+. This is a subscription-based service and can be viewed by clicking here.
TICKET PROMOTION: FAMILY FOUR PACK
Back by popular demand, UAB Men's Basketball is excited to provide our Family Four Pack ticket discount. This season's Family Four Pack Offer includes four (4) tickets and four (4) popcorns for just $40. Extra tickets, if needed, may also be purchased for an additional $10.
For more information on this offer, click here.
Upon entering Bartow Arena, you and your family will also have the opportunity to create custom posters, take pictures in our photo booth and enjoy a face painting station all located on the concourse. During the game, we will have a diaper wrap-off and baby races.
UP NEXT The Blazers travel to Ruston, La. for a matchup with Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Jan. 22. Tipoff from the Thomas Assembly Center is set for 3 p.m. and will air on Stadium.
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.
Players Mentioned
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