The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Tuesday, November 21
Murfreesboro, Tenn.
6:30 p.m.
UAB
at
Middle Tennessee
Photo by: Sully Ortega
Men's Basketball Takes on Middle Tennessee
11/20/2023 4:35:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM – UAB men's basketball will take on Middle Tennessee on Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. CT in Murfreesboro. The meeting will be the first non-conference matchup between the two teams since 2012.
WATCH
Tuesday's contest at MTSU will stream live on ESPN+.
LISTEN
David Crane and Mo Finley will call the game for the Blazers on 100.5 ESPN JOX 2.
SERIES HISTORY
UAB leads the all-time series 18-10 over Middle Tennessee and the Blazers have won eight of the last nine meetings. The Blue Raiders won the last meeting between the two teams at the Murphy Center last season. UAB's attempt at the buzzer was called off and MTSU won it 74-73 in overtime.
LAST TIME OUT
UAB was able to escape with a win over Alcorn State at home thanks to some late-game heroics from Efrem "Butta" Johnson, who scored a career high 18 points. Johnson knocked down a three with 27 seconds to go, giving the Blazers an 80-77 lead and they were ultimately able to hold on in the final seconds. Alejandro Vasquez was another standout for the Blazers, scoring a career best 25 points while knocking down all seven of his free throw attempts.
SMOOTH LIKE "BUTTA"
After a freshman season that featured some impressive moments, Efrem "Butta" Johnson has high expectations in year two. Johnson averaged 3.5 points and 1.3 rebounds per game last year while shooting 37.8 percent from beyond the arc and is set to take on a much larger role. Johnson scored 17 points against Clemson earlier this season while adding three rebounds and three assists. He later set a career high with 18 points, including the game-winning three with 27 seconds to go against Alcorn State.
BONNIE TO A BLAZER
Alejandro Vasquez began his career at St. Bonaventure, helping the Bonnies reach the NCAA Tournament during his freshman season while averaging 6.3 points per game. Vasquez played two seasons with the Bonnies before finding himself at Salt Lake Community College in Utah. He averaged 18.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game last year, earning first team NJCAA All-American honors. Vasquez has been a standout early in the season for UAB, averaging 13.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, including a 25-point performance against Alcorn State.
PURCHASE YOUR 2023-24 SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2023-24 UAB men's basketball season are still on sale starting as low as $110. Season packages will feature all home games during UAB's inaugural season in the American Athletic Conference and provide the most cost-effective way to attend games in Bartow Arena. Fans may request more information here or call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.
GROUP AND PREMIUM TICKETS
Individual and corporate groups can plan an unforgettable experience during any of UAB's 18 home events this season by filling out the UAB Basketball Group Ticket Request Form. Fan experience packages and discounted group tickets are available for a minimum purchase of 15 tickets, and fan experiences at Bartow Arena are available at any home basketball game on a first come, first served basis throughout the season.
In addition, a limited number of premium seating options also remain at Bartow Arena and provides fans and corporations the ability to enjoy the exclusive amenities offered at Bartow Arena while experiencing the action from midcourt views. Call Blazer Boosters at (205) 996-9969 to learn more.
POWER UP
UAB Athletics is excited to officially compete in the American Athletic Conference and needs Blazer Nation to Power Up by becoming a 2023 Blazer Boosters member. Join Blazer Boosters today as UAB student-athletes complete for championships, graduate with honors, and make a difference in our community.
FOLLOW THE BLAZERS
For more information on the UAB men's basketball team, follow @UAB_MBB on Twitter and Instagram.
WATCH
Tuesday's contest at MTSU will stream live on ESPN+.
LISTEN
David Crane and Mo Finley will call the game for the Blazers on 100.5 ESPN JOX 2.
SERIES HISTORY
UAB leads the all-time series 18-10 over Middle Tennessee and the Blazers have won eight of the last nine meetings. The Blue Raiders won the last meeting between the two teams at the Murphy Center last season. UAB's attempt at the buzzer was called off and MTSU won it 74-73 in overtime.
LAST TIME OUT
UAB was able to escape with a win over Alcorn State at home thanks to some late-game heroics from Efrem "Butta" Johnson, who scored a career high 18 points. Johnson knocked down a three with 27 seconds to go, giving the Blazers an 80-77 lead and they were ultimately able to hold on in the final seconds. Alejandro Vasquez was another standout for the Blazers, scoring a career best 25 points while knocking down all seven of his free throw attempts.
SMOOTH LIKE "BUTTA"
After a freshman season that featured some impressive moments, Efrem "Butta" Johnson has high expectations in year two. Johnson averaged 3.5 points and 1.3 rebounds per game last year while shooting 37.8 percent from beyond the arc and is set to take on a much larger role. Johnson scored 17 points against Clemson earlier this season while adding three rebounds and three assists. He later set a career high with 18 points, including the game-winning three with 27 seconds to go against Alcorn State.
BONNIE TO A BLAZER
Alejandro Vasquez began his career at St. Bonaventure, helping the Bonnies reach the NCAA Tournament during his freshman season while averaging 6.3 points per game. Vasquez played two seasons with the Bonnies before finding himself at Salt Lake Community College in Utah. He averaged 18.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game last year, earning first team NJCAA All-American honors. Vasquez has been a standout early in the season for UAB, averaging 13.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, including a 25-point performance against Alcorn State.
PURCHASE YOUR 2023-24 SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2023-24 UAB men's basketball season are still on sale starting as low as $110. Season packages will feature all home games during UAB's inaugural season in the American Athletic Conference and provide the most cost-effective way to attend games in Bartow Arena. Fans may request more information here or call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.
GROUP AND PREMIUM TICKETS
Individual and corporate groups can plan an unforgettable experience during any of UAB's 18 home events this season by filling out the UAB Basketball Group Ticket Request Form. Fan experience packages and discounted group tickets are available for a minimum purchase of 15 tickets, and fan experiences at Bartow Arena are available at any home basketball game on a first come, first served basis throughout the season.
In addition, a limited number of premium seating options also remain at Bartow Arena and provides fans and corporations the ability to enjoy the exclusive amenities offered at Bartow Arena while experiencing the action from midcourt views. Call Blazer Boosters at (205) 996-9969 to learn more.
POWER UP
UAB Athletics is excited to officially compete in the American Athletic Conference and needs Blazer Nation to Power Up by becoming a 2023 Blazer Boosters member. Join Blazer Boosters today as UAB student-athletes complete for championships, graduate with honors, and make a difference in our community.
FOLLOW THE BLAZERS
For more information on the UAB men's basketball team, follow @UAB_MBB on Twitter and Instagram.
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