The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Saturday, January 8
Houston, Texas
3 p.m.
UAB
at
Rice
Photo by: Mario Terrana
UAB Eyes Texas Sweep in Saturday's Road Matchup at Rice
1/7/2022 2:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HOUSTON – After earning a key road victory at defending Conference USA Tournament champion North Texas on Thursday, the UAB men's basketball team will conclude its road trip in Texas with a matchup at Rice on Saturday. Saturday's tipoff at Tudor Fieldhouse is set for 3 p.m. and will now be carried live on YouTube.
Due to COVID issues with the Stadium production team, Saturday's men's basketball game between Rice and UAB will no longer be shown on Stadium. The game will now be streamed on YouTube for free.
UAB (13-3) has won four straight games and will look to notch its fourth straight victory over the Owls, who the Blazers hold a 17-2 record against in the all-time series. UAB went 3-0 against Rice in head coach Andy Kennedy's first season back in Birmingham in 2020-21, winning each game by double digits.
Rice (8-5) earned its first C-USA victory of the season Thursday in a 65-61 home triumph over Middle Tennessee. The Blazers are 7-1 against Rice in Houston.
UAB LATELY
When the Blazers were presented an opportunity to bolster their 2021-22 resume on Thursday, they delivered. UAB posted its second NET (NCAA Evaluation Tool) Quadrant I victory of the season on Thursday when the Green and Gold notched a 69-63 win at North Texas. The Blazers controlled most of the game in The Super Pit, holding the lead for 33:56. UAB dominated the on the glass in the win, holding a 39-25 rebounding advantage and a 15-1 edge in second-chance points. Four UAB starters reached double figures in scoring in the win, which included a season-high 14 points on an efficient 7-of-8 shooting from the field from center Trey Jemison. Jordan Walker finished with a team-high 17 points in 33 minutes of court action, chipping in with three assists, three rebounds and two steals in the key road win. UAB's rebounding prowess has proved huge for the Blazers this season, holding a perfect 9-0 record in games when they outrebound their opponent. Thursday night's win marked UAB's fifth straight win in Denton and snapped the Mean Green's six-game winning streak.
RICE LATELY
Rice, who earned its first C-USA victory of the season in a win over Middle Tennessee on Thursday, holds an 8-5 overall record this season with Division I nonconference victories over Pepperdine, Southern, New Orleans, Evansville, Houston Baptist and Incarnate Word. The Owls rank first in Conference USA in 3-point field-goal percentage, knocking down a league-best 38.6% of their shots from behind the arc. Rice, however, struggles to force turnovers and commits the second-most turnovers in the league per game on offense, resulting in a league-worst -4.5 turnover margin. Three Owls have averaged double figures in scoring this season, highlighted by graduate guard Carl Pierre's 14.8 points per game. Pierre (.425) and teammate Travis Evee (.452) both shoot over 40% from behind the 3-point line this season (minimum 20 attempts). Rice ranks No. 197 in the most recent NET ratings and No. 187 in the latest KenPom ratings.
COMMON OPPONENTS -- RICE
The Blazers and Owls shared no common nonconference opponents.
PREVIOUS 10 MATCHUPS IN THE SERIES
2/27/14__ at Rice_______________________ W, 61-60
2/14/15__ at Rice________________________ L, 73-82
1/21/16__ Rice_________________________ W, 82-70
1/7/17___ at Rice_______________________ W, 88-81
2/10/18__ Rice_________________________ W, 61-56
1/26/19__ at Rice_______________________ W, 89-86
2/6/20___ Rice__________________________ L, 72-86
1/22/21__ Rice_________________________ W, 78-68
1/23/21__ Rice_________________________ W, 86-74
3/11/21__ vs. Rice_______________________ W, 73-60
NOTHING BUT "NET"
UAB's victory at North Texas on 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. 37 in the most recent ratings, rising six spots after its win over North Texas. North Texas (No. 59) sits 22 spots behind the Blazers to rank second in the rating system among C-USA foes.
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.
LIVING UP TO ITS EXPECTATIONS
UAB was predicted as the preseason favorite to win the Conference USA regular season championship, and the Blazers have met those expectations so far this season. Thursday's C-USA victory at North Texas marked back-to-back 3-0 starts in league play for UAB for the first time since 2014-15 and 2015-16. UAB made the NCAA Tournament in 2014-15, which is when the Blazers upset third-seeded Iowa State in the opening round.
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 matchup against the Owls, UAB ranks first in the league in field-goal percentage defense (38.5%), scoring margin (20.2), scoring offense (81.2), steals per game (11.2), total rebounds (633), total steals (180), turnover margin (7.4) and turnovers forced per game (18.7).
LOVIN' IT FOR LOVAN
Tavin Lovan, a Second Team All-Conference USA honoree in 2020-21, was named a 2021-22 Preseason All-C-USA honoree in October. Lovan averaged 12.2 points per game and topped the Blazers with 66 assists this past season. In 2021-22, he has averaged 7.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game in 14 games (10 starts) this season. Lovan dominated the Owls in a pair of games in Bartow Arena this past season, posting a career-high 32 points with a season-high 11 rebounds in a win over Rice on Jan. 23, 2021. Lovan's efforts against the Owls helped him earn Conference USA Co-Player of the Week honors.
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 tipoff at Tudor Fieldhouse is set for 3 p.m. and will now be carried live on YouTube. Due to COVID issues with the Stadium production team, Saturday's men's basketball game between Rice and UAB will no longer be shown on Stadium. The game will now be streamed on YouTube for free.
UP NEXT
The Blazers will return to Bartow Arena to host Conference USA's Florida schools beginning on Thursday. UAB opens its week back in Birmingham against FIU on Thursday night. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. and will stream live on ESPN+.
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.
Due to COVID issues with the Stadium production team, Saturday's men's basketball game between Rice and UAB will no longer be shown on Stadium. The game will now be streamed on YouTube for free.
UAB (13-3) has won four straight games and will look to notch its fourth straight victory over the Owls, who the Blazers hold a 17-2 record against in the all-time series. UAB went 3-0 against Rice in head coach Andy Kennedy's first season back in Birmingham in 2020-21, winning each game by double digits.
Rice (8-5) earned its first C-USA victory of the season Thursday in a 65-61 home triumph over Middle Tennessee. The Blazers are 7-1 against Rice in Houston.
UAB LATELY
When the Blazers were presented an opportunity to bolster their 2021-22 resume on Thursday, they delivered. UAB posted its second NET (NCAA Evaluation Tool) Quadrant I victory of the season on Thursday when the Green and Gold notched a 69-63 win at North Texas. The Blazers controlled most of the game in The Super Pit, holding the lead for 33:56. UAB dominated the on the glass in the win, holding a 39-25 rebounding advantage and a 15-1 edge in second-chance points. Four UAB starters reached double figures in scoring in the win, which included a season-high 14 points on an efficient 7-of-8 shooting from the field from center Trey Jemison. Jordan Walker finished with a team-high 17 points in 33 minutes of court action, chipping in with three assists, three rebounds and two steals in the key road win. UAB's rebounding prowess has proved huge for the Blazers this season, holding a perfect 9-0 record in games when they outrebound their opponent. Thursday night's win marked UAB's fifth straight win in Denton and snapped the Mean Green's six-game winning streak.
RICE LATELY
Rice, who earned its first C-USA victory of the season in a win over Middle Tennessee on Thursday, holds an 8-5 overall record this season with Division I nonconference victories over Pepperdine, Southern, New Orleans, Evansville, Houston Baptist and Incarnate Word. The Owls rank first in Conference USA in 3-point field-goal percentage, knocking down a league-best 38.6% of their shots from behind the arc. Rice, however, struggles to force turnovers and commits the second-most turnovers in the league per game on offense, resulting in a league-worst -4.5 turnover margin. Three Owls have averaged double figures in scoring this season, highlighted by graduate guard Carl Pierre's 14.8 points per game. Pierre (.425) and teammate Travis Evee (.452) both shoot over 40% from behind the 3-point line this season (minimum 20 attempts). Rice ranks No. 197 in the most recent NET ratings and No. 187 in the latest KenPom ratings.
COMMON OPPONENTS -- RICE
The Blazers and Owls shared no common nonconference opponents.
PREVIOUS 10 MATCHUPS IN THE SERIES
2/27/14__ at Rice_______________________ W, 61-60
2/14/15__ at Rice________________________ L, 73-82
1/21/16__ Rice_________________________ W, 82-70
1/7/17___ at Rice_______________________ W, 88-81
2/10/18__ Rice_________________________ W, 61-56
1/26/19__ at Rice_______________________ W, 89-86
2/6/20___ Rice__________________________ L, 72-86
1/22/21__ Rice_________________________ W, 78-68
1/23/21__ Rice_________________________ W, 86-74
3/11/21__ vs. Rice_______________________ W, 73-60
NOTHING BUT "NET"
UAB's victory at North Texas on 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. 37 in the most recent ratings, rising six spots after its win over North Texas. North Texas (No. 59) sits 22 spots behind the Blazers to rank second in the rating system among C-USA foes.
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.
LIVING UP TO ITS EXPECTATIONS
UAB was predicted as the preseason favorite to win the Conference USA regular season championship, and the Blazers have met those expectations so far this season. Thursday's C-USA victory at North Texas marked back-to-back 3-0 starts in league play for UAB for the first time since 2014-15 and 2015-16. UAB made the NCAA Tournament in 2014-15, which is when the Blazers upset third-seeded Iowa State in the opening round.
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 matchup against the Owls, UAB ranks first in the league in field-goal percentage defense (38.5%), scoring margin (20.2), scoring offense (81.2), steals per game (11.2), total rebounds (633), total steals (180), turnover margin (7.4) and turnovers forced per game (18.7).
LOVIN' IT FOR LOVAN
Tavin Lovan, a Second Team All-Conference USA honoree in 2020-21, was named a 2021-22 Preseason All-C-USA honoree in October. Lovan averaged 12.2 points per game and topped the Blazers with 66 assists this past season. In 2021-22, he has averaged 7.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game in 14 games (10 starts) this season. Lovan dominated the Owls in a pair of games in Bartow Arena this past season, posting a career-high 32 points with a season-high 11 rebounds in a win over Rice on Jan. 23, 2021. Lovan's efforts against the Owls helped him earn Conference USA Co-Player of the Week honors.
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 tipoff at Tudor Fieldhouse is set for 3 p.m. and will now be carried live on YouTube. Due to COVID issues with the Stadium production team, Saturday's men's basketball game between Rice and UAB will no longer be shown on Stadium. The game will now be streamed on YouTube for free.
UP NEXT
The Blazers will return to Bartow Arena to host Conference USA's Florida schools beginning on Thursday. UAB opens its week back in Birmingham against FIU on Thursday night. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. and will stream live on ESPN+.
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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