The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Saturday, December 31
Birmingham, Ala.
3 p.m.
UAB
vs
UTSA
Photo by: Brantley Bargerhuff
UAB MBB Closes 2022 Against UTSA at Bartow Arena
12/30/2022 5:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM - UAB men's basketball (11-2, 2-0 C-USA) looks to move to 3-0 in conference play for the third-straight season under Andy Kennedy on Saturday at 3 p.m. CT when the Blazers face off with UTSA (6-7, 0-2 C-USA). Fans can purchase two tickets for only $23 per game in the lower bowl of Bartow Arena for Saturday's game. Follow this link for more.
WATCH
Saturday's game will air on ESPN+ with Curt Bloom and Mo Finley on the call.
RADIO
The contest is set to air on 100.5 ESPN JOX 2 with David Crane and Steve Mitchell on the call.
SERIES HISTORY
The Blazers lead the all-time series 10-5 and UAB is 3-1 during the AK era. UAB won each of the two meetings between the teams during the 2021-22 season.
UAB and UTSA played at Bartow Arena on Jan. 1, 2022 and the two teams will conclude the calendar year against one another on Dec. 31, 2022.
LAST TIME OUT
Despite trailing for nearly the entire night, UAB defeated UTEP 79-73 in double overtime. Efrem Johnson scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds while KJ Buffen scored 15 points to go along with seven rebounds and seven steals. "Butta" hit a clutch go-ahead three to help the Blazers send the game to overtime and Buffen extended the game to a second overtime period on a putback with five seconds remaining.
GETTING "BUFF"
KJ Buffen has been one of the Blazers' most consistent players this season. He is scoring 11.1 points per game while grabbing 7.0 rebounds per game. Buffen scored a career-high 25 points with eight rebounds in the Blazers' win over South Carolina, leading the team in both categories. In 11 of the Blazers' 13 games, he has shot over 50 percent from the field.
WELCOME TO THE 1K CLUB
KJ Buffen, Tavin Lovan and Jordan Walker each surpassed 1,000 points in their collegiate careers with the Blazers. Buffen, Lovan and Walker are joined by brothers Ty Brewer and Ledarrius Brewer to have scored more than 1,000 points in their college basketball careers. UAB is the only known program in Division I with five 1,000-point scorers.
LEADING THE NATION
Jordan "Jelly" Walker currently leads the nation in points per game at 24.7. He dropped 38 points in the season opener against Alabama State, the most scored by a UAB player in a season opener ever. Walker then captured Sunshine Slam MVP honors after scoring 31 points to go along with 6 rebounds, five assists and five steals against Georgia. He earned C-USA Player of the Week honors for his performance in the tournament. He joined Andy Kennedy (7) and Carlos Williams (6) as the only two players in program history to score 30+ points six or more times. Jelly is 14 points away from reaching 1,000 in his UAB career.
TICKETS
UAB men's basketball single game tickets are on sale for the 2022-23 season. Men's basketball holiday packs are also now available leading into conference play and saves you 25% off the single game price. For more information about ticket pricing, call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 or request more information by clicking here.
GROUP TICKETS AND FAN EXPERIENCE PACKAGES
Individual and corporate groups can plan a memorable experience at Bartow Arena by filling out the UAB Basketball Group Ticket Request Form. Discounted group tickets and fan experiences are available for a minimum purchase of 15 tickets, and fan experiences are available on a first come, first served basis to any home basketball game during the 2022-23 season.
FOLLOW THE BLAZERS
For more information on the UAB men's basketball team, follow @UAB_MBB on Twitter and Instagram.
WATCH
Saturday's game will air on ESPN+ with Curt Bloom and Mo Finley on the call.
RADIO
The contest is set to air on 100.5 ESPN JOX 2 with David Crane and Steve Mitchell on the call.
SERIES HISTORY
The Blazers lead the all-time series 10-5 and UAB is 3-1 during the AK era. UAB won each of the two meetings between the teams during the 2021-22 season.
UAB and UTSA played at Bartow Arena on Jan. 1, 2022 and the two teams will conclude the calendar year against one another on Dec. 31, 2022.
LAST TIME OUT
Despite trailing for nearly the entire night, UAB defeated UTEP 79-73 in double overtime. Efrem Johnson scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds while KJ Buffen scored 15 points to go along with seven rebounds and seven steals. "Butta" hit a clutch go-ahead three to help the Blazers send the game to overtime and Buffen extended the game to a second overtime period on a putback with five seconds remaining.
GETTING "BUFF"
KJ Buffen has been one of the Blazers' most consistent players this season. He is scoring 11.1 points per game while grabbing 7.0 rebounds per game. Buffen scored a career-high 25 points with eight rebounds in the Blazers' win over South Carolina, leading the team in both categories. In 11 of the Blazers' 13 games, he has shot over 50 percent from the field.
WELCOME TO THE 1K CLUB
KJ Buffen, Tavin Lovan and Jordan Walker each surpassed 1,000 points in their collegiate careers with the Blazers. Buffen, Lovan and Walker are joined by brothers Ty Brewer and Ledarrius Brewer to have scored more than 1,000 points in their college basketball careers. UAB is the only known program in Division I with five 1,000-point scorers.
- Ledarrius Brewer: 1,759
- Jordan Walker: 1,556
- Tavin Lovan: 1,332
- KJ Buffen: 1,235
- Ty Brewer: 1,216
LEADING THE NATION
Jordan "Jelly" Walker currently leads the nation in points per game at 24.7. He dropped 38 points in the season opener against Alabama State, the most scored by a UAB player in a season opener ever. Walker then captured Sunshine Slam MVP honors after scoring 31 points to go along with 6 rebounds, five assists and five steals against Georgia. He earned C-USA Player of the Week honors for his performance in the tournament. He joined Andy Kennedy (7) and Carlos Williams (6) as the only two players in program history to score 30+ points six or more times. Jelly is 14 points away from reaching 1,000 in his UAB career.
TICKETS
UAB men's basketball single game tickets are on sale for the 2022-23 season. Men's basketball holiday packs are also now available leading into conference play and saves you 25% off the single game price. For more information about ticket pricing, call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 or request more information by clicking here.
GROUP TICKETS AND FAN EXPERIENCE PACKAGES
Individual and corporate groups can plan a memorable experience at Bartow Arena by filling out the UAB Basketball Group Ticket Request Form. Discounted group tickets and fan experiences are available for a minimum purchase of 15 tickets, and fan experiences are available on a first come, first served basis to any home basketball game during the 2022-23 season.
FOLLOW THE BLAZERS
For more information on the UAB men's basketball team, follow @UAB_MBB on Twitter and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's Basketball
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