The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Saturday, January 22
Ruston, La.
3 p.m.
UAB
at
Louisiana Tech
Photo by: Ken Shepherd
UAB Travels to LA Tech for Key C-USA West Division Matchup
1/21/2022 1:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM – After earning a weekend sweep over FIU and Florida Atlantic in Bartow Arena, the UAB men's basketball team (15-4, 5-1 C-USA) will travel to Louisiana Tech (15-3, 6-0 C-USA) for a matchup between the top two teams in the standings in Conference USA's West Division. Saturday's game in the Thomas Assembly Center will tip off at 3 p.m. and will be carried live on Stadium.
UAB, who is 3-3 in games away from Birmingham this season, eyes its third Quadrant I/II victory of the season in Ruston. The Blazers hold an 8-9 record against the Bulldogs in the all-time series history and will look to earn their first-ever win in Ruston on Saturday.
After cruising to a 28-point victory over FIU on Jan. 13, the Blazers had to rally from a seven-point deficit with less than 10 minutes remaining on Saturday to keep its perfect record in Bartow Arena intact. UAB's late surge, which was fueled by career-high performances from Quan Jackson (29 points) and Jordan Walker (27 points), helped UAB earn a 76-65 win over the Owls. Walker drilled the dagger for the Blazers with 2:37 remaining in the game, knocking down a 3-pointer following a Florida Atlantic timeout to stretch UAB's lead to eight points at 68-60. Trey Jemison led the Blazers on the boards with 10 rebounds, marking the sixth time this season he's reached double figures in rebounds. The win marked just the third time in program history the Blazers have started a season 12-0 in Bartow Arena, which has been the home of Blazer Basketball since the 1988-89 season.
NOTHING BUT "NET"
UAB's victory at North Texas on Jan. 6 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 Birmingham 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. 40 in the most recent ratings after its weekend sweep of FIU and Florida Atlantic. North Texas (No. 54) sits 14 spots behind the Blazers to rank second in the rating system among C-USA foes.
JELLY WINS C-USA PLAYER OF THE WEEK
After a stellar week at home against the C-USA's Sunshine State schools, Jordan "Jelly" Walker earned Conference USA Player of the Week honors on Monday afternoon. Walker totaled 47 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and committed only three turnovers in 68 total minutes in UAB's weekend sweep of FIU and FAU in Bartow Arena. Walker concluded the weekend with a career-high 27 points, a season-high five rebounds and five assists in a comeback 76-65 victory over FAU in Bartow Arena. Walker has scored 20 or more points in three straight games, making him the first Blazer to score 20+ points in three consecutive matchups since Zack Bryant during the 2018-19 season. Before Jelly's recognition on Monday, the most recent Blazer to earn C-USA Player of the Week honors was when Tavin Lovan earned C-USA Co-Player of the Week honors after scoring a career-high 32 points in an 86-74 win over Rice on Jan. 23, 2021.
LA TECH LATELY
Louisiana Tech, who leads the C-USA West Division with a perfect 6-0 record, has won seven straight games since a neutral site loss to then-No. 19 LSU in Bossier City, Louisiana. The Bulldogs have won five of their six conference games by double digits, completing a weekend sweep of Southern Miss this past weekend. LA Tech's only scare so far in Conference USA play came in what was a roaring comeback for the Bulldogs, overcoming a 17-point deficit in the second half to defeat WKU 74-73 in the Thomas Assembly Center.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Kenneth Lofton, Jr., the reigning C-USA Freshman of the Year and Team USA U19 Gold Medalist, has been exceptional for LA Tech so far this season. Lofton, Jr. has averaged a double-double through 17 games this season, averaging 16.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per contest. Four other Bulldogs -- Amorie Archibald (13.3), Isaiah Crawford (11.3), Keaston Willis (11.2) and Cobe Williams (10.3) -- have also averaged double figures this season. In C-USA play, Williams paces the Bulldogs with 16.0 points and 3.3 assists per game, while Lofton, Jr. ranks first in rebounds per game (11.2) and total steals (10). LA Tech leads Conference USA in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.37) and total assists (279) while ranking just right behind the Blazers in scoring margin (11.7) and scoring offense (78.9).
LAST 10 MATCHUPS IN THE SERIES
3/13/15__ vs. Louisiana Tech_______________ W, 72-62
2/13/16__ at Louisiana Tech________________ L, 76-85
1/26/17__ Louisiana Tech_________________ W, 79-70
3/9/17___ vs. Louisiana Tech_______________ L, 57-69
1/13/18__ Louisiana Tech_________________ W, 74-62
2/15/18__ at Louisiana Tech________________ L, 60-73
1/10/19__ at Louisiana Tech________________ L, 53-64
1/25/20__ Louisiana Tech__________________ L, 58-72
2/12/21__ at Louisiana Tech________________ L, 58-70
2/12/21__ at Louisiana Tech________________ L, 64-69
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.
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 (7.1) while ranking 16th nationally with 81.1 points per game on offense. The Blazers also rank fourth nationally with 342 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 Saturday's slate of league games, UAB ranks first in the league in field-goal percentage defense (38.9%), scoring margin (18.8), scoring offense (81.1), steals per game (10.7), total steals (204), turnover margin (7.1), turnovers forced per game (18.0) and fewest turnovers committed per game (10.9).
SECOND-HALF SURGE
The Blazers have outscored opponents by double digits in the second half nine times this season, including a +37 margin against Millsaps, a +35 margin against Alabama A&M and a +30 margin against Mississippi Valley State. The Blazers dominated FIU in the second half of this past Thursday's win, outscoring the Panthers 46-22 in the final 20 minutes. UAB also outscored Saint Louis 36-24 in the second half of its big road win over the Billikens.
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 be carried live on Stadium. Noah Coslov (play-by-play) and Tim Scarborough (analyst) will be on the call. Saturday's game will also be carried locally on WOTM 19.
UP NEXT
The Blazers will continue their three-game road stretch at WKU. Thursday's matchup in Bowling Green, Kentucky, will tip off at 8 p.m. and will be carried live on CBS Sports Network.
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, who is 3-3 in games away from Birmingham this season, eyes its third Quadrant I/II victory of the season in Ruston. The Blazers hold an 8-9 record against the Bulldogs in the all-time series history and will look to earn their first-ever win in Ruston on Saturday.
UAB's victories away from Birmingham this season include North Texas (No. 54 NET/No. 67 KenPom), Saint Louis (No. 75 NET/No. 82 KenPom) and New Mexico (No. 186 NET/No. 196 KenPom). LA Tech, who has won seven straight games since a loss to No. 13 LSU, ranks No. 78 in the most recent KenPom ratings and No. 81 in the latest NET rankings.
After cruising to a 28-point victory over FIU on Jan. 13, the Blazers had to rally from a seven-point deficit with less than 10 minutes remaining on Saturday to keep its perfect record in Bartow Arena intact. UAB's late surge, which was fueled by career-high performances from Quan Jackson (29 points) and Jordan Walker (27 points), helped UAB earn a 76-65 win over the Owls. Walker drilled the dagger for the Blazers with 2:37 remaining in the game, knocking down a 3-pointer following a Florida Atlantic timeout to stretch UAB's lead to eight points at 68-60. Trey Jemison led the Blazers on the boards with 10 rebounds, marking the sixth time this season he's reached double figures in rebounds. The win marked just the third time in program history the Blazers have started a season 12-0 in Bartow Arena, which has been the home of Blazer Basketball since the 1988-89 season.
NOTHING BUT "NET"
UAB's victory at North Texas on Jan. 6 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 Birmingham 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. 40 in the most recent ratings after its weekend sweep of FIU and Florida Atlantic. North Texas (No. 54) sits 14 spots behind the Blazers to rank second in the rating system among C-USA foes.
JELLY WINS C-USA PLAYER OF THE WEEK
After a stellar week at home against the C-USA's Sunshine State schools, Jordan "Jelly" Walker earned Conference USA Player of the Week honors on Monday afternoon. Walker totaled 47 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and committed only three turnovers in 68 total minutes in UAB's weekend sweep of FIU and FAU in Bartow Arena. Walker concluded the weekend with a career-high 27 points, a season-high five rebounds and five assists in a comeback 76-65 victory over FAU in Bartow Arena. Walker has scored 20 or more points in three straight games, making him the first Blazer to score 20+ points in three consecutive matchups since Zack Bryant during the 2018-19 season. Before Jelly's recognition on Monday, the most recent Blazer to earn C-USA Player of the Week honors was when Tavin Lovan earned C-USA Co-Player of the Week honors after scoring a career-high 32 points in an 86-74 win over Rice on Jan. 23, 2021.
LA TECH LATELY
Louisiana Tech, who leads the C-USA West Division with a perfect 6-0 record, has won seven straight games since a neutral site loss to then-No. 19 LSU in Bossier City, Louisiana. The Bulldogs have won five of their six conference games by double digits, completing a weekend sweep of Southern Miss this past weekend. LA Tech's only scare so far in Conference USA play came in what was a roaring comeback for the Bulldogs, overcoming a 17-point deficit in the second half to defeat WKU 74-73 in the Thomas Assembly Center.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Kenneth Lofton, Jr., the reigning C-USA Freshman of the Year and Team USA U19 Gold Medalist, has been exceptional for LA Tech so far this season. Lofton, Jr. has averaged a double-double through 17 games this season, averaging 16.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per contest. Four other Bulldogs -- Amorie Archibald (13.3), Isaiah Crawford (11.3), Keaston Willis (11.2) and Cobe Williams (10.3) -- have also averaged double figures this season. In C-USA play, Williams paces the Bulldogs with 16.0 points and 3.3 assists per game, while Lofton, Jr. ranks first in rebounds per game (11.2) and total steals (10). LA Tech leads Conference USA in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.37) and total assists (279) while ranking just right behind the Blazers in scoring margin (11.7) and scoring offense (78.9).
LAST 10 MATCHUPS IN THE SERIES
3/13/15__ vs. Louisiana Tech_______________ W, 72-62
2/13/16__ at Louisiana Tech________________ L, 76-85
1/26/17__ Louisiana Tech_________________ W, 79-70
3/9/17___ vs. Louisiana Tech_______________ L, 57-69
1/13/18__ Louisiana Tech_________________ W, 74-62
2/15/18__ at Louisiana Tech________________ L, 60-73
1/10/19__ at Louisiana Tech________________ L, 53-64
1/25/20__ Louisiana Tech__________________ L, 58-72
2/12/21__ at Louisiana Tech________________ L, 58-70
2/12/21__ at Louisiana Tech________________ L, 64-69
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.
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 (7.1) while ranking 16th nationally with 81.1 points per game on offense. The Blazers also rank fourth nationally with 342 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 Saturday's slate of league games, UAB ranks first in the league in field-goal percentage defense (38.9%), scoring margin (18.8), scoring offense (81.1), steals per game (10.7), total steals (204), turnover margin (7.1), turnovers forced per game (18.0) and fewest turnovers committed per game (10.9).
SECOND-HALF SURGE
The Blazers have outscored opponents by double digits in the second half nine times this season, including a +37 margin against Millsaps, a +35 margin against Alabama A&M and a +30 margin against Mississippi Valley State. The Blazers dominated FIU in the second half of this past Thursday's win, outscoring the Panthers 46-22 in the final 20 minutes. UAB also outscored Saint Louis 36-24 in the second half of its big road win over the Billikens.
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 be carried live on Stadium. Noah Coslov (play-by-play) and Tim Scarborough (analyst) will be on the call. Saturday's game will also be carried locally on WOTM 19.
UP NEXT
The Blazers will continue their three-game road stretch at WKU. Thursday's matchup in Bowling Green, Kentucky, will tip off at 8 p.m. and will be carried live on CBS Sports Network.
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.
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