The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Thursday, February 23
Birmingham, Ala.
6:30 p.m.
UAB
vs
Rice
UAB Hosts Rice for Senior Night
2/22/2023 5:47:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM - UAB men's basketball (20-8, 11-6 C-USA) will host Rice (17-10, 8-8 C-USA) on Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. CT for Senior Night. UAB will honor six seniors, including Ty Brewer, Ledarrius Brewer, KJ Buffen, Trey Jemison, Tavin Lovan and Jordan Walker.
WATCH
The game will stream live on ESPN+.
RADIO
David Crane will call the game for the Blazers on 100.5 ESPN JOX 2.
SERIES HISTORY
UAB leads the overall series 19-3 against Rice, including a 10-1 advantage in Birmingham. The Blazers took the first meeting of the season in dominant fashion, beating the Owls 70-52 in Houston. Ledarrius Brewer and KJ Buffen each scored 20 points for UAB to lead the way.
LAST TIME OUT
The Blazers found themselves down by double-digits at UTSA multiple times but came back to get an 83-78 win in San Antonio. Walker scored 25 points, including the last 10 UAB points over the final two minutes of the game.
IN ELITE COMPANY
With the Blazers win over UTSA, Andy Kennedy became just one of seven active head coaches with 20+ wins in 13 of their first 16 seasons. The six other coaches on the list include John Calipari, Mark Few, Jim Boeheim, Jamie Dixon, Thad Matta and Bob Huggins.
TALL T's DOMINANCE
Trey Jemison has been a force for the Blazers of late, averaging 10.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game over the last 13 contests. He matched his previous career high of 17 points at FIU and then set his current career best of 18 points against Middle Tennessee. His tip-in with nine seconds to go against FIU put the game away for UAB. He has recorded double-doubles in six of the last 13 games.
THE RETURN
Jordan "Jelly" Walker currently sits in fourth nationally in points per game at 22.6. 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 and Andy Kennedy are the only two Blazers to have recorded seven 30+ point efforts. Walker has scored 30 or more points in four games this season.
GETTING "BUFF"
KJ Buffen has been one of the Blazers' most consistent players this season. He is scoring 10.5 points per game while grabbing 6.9 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. Buffen earned C-USA Player of the Week honors after putting up back-to-back double-doubles against Louisiana Tech (1/26) and Rice (1/28). He finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds in the Blazers' win over Rice for his second-career 20-point double-double.
TICKETS
UAB men's basketball single game tickets are on sale for the 2022-23 season. For more information about ticket pricing, call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 or request more information by clicking here.
Season tickets for the 2023-24 UAB men's basketball season are now available starting as low as $110. Season ticket 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 at Bartow Arena. Fans may renew season tickets, purchase new season tickets or request more information on season ticket options here. For more information about season ticket pricing, call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.
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
The game will stream live on ESPN+.
RADIO
David Crane will call the game for the Blazers on 100.5 ESPN JOX 2.
SERIES HISTORY
UAB leads the overall series 19-3 against Rice, including a 10-1 advantage in Birmingham. The Blazers took the first meeting of the season in dominant fashion, beating the Owls 70-52 in Houston. Ledarrius Brewer and KJ Buffen each scored 20 points for UAB to lead the way.
LAST TIME OUT
The Blazers found themselves down by double-digits at UTSA multiple times but came back to get an 83-78 win in San Antonio. Walker scored 25 points, including the last 10 UAB points over the final two minutes of the game.
IN ELITE COMPANY
With the Blazers win over UTSA, Andy Kennedy became just one of seven active head coaches with 20+ wins in 13 of their first 16 seasons. The six other coaches on the list include John Calipari, Mark Few, Jim Boeheim, Jamie Dixon, Thad Matta and Bob Huggins.
TALL T's DOMINANCE
Trey Jemison has been a force for the Blazers of late, averaging 10.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game over the last 13 contests. He matched his previous career high of 17 points at FIU and then set his current career best of 18 points against Middle Tennessee. His tip-in with nine seconds to go against FIU put the game away for UAB. He has recorded double-doubles in six of the last 13 games.
THE RETURN
Jordan "Jelly" Walker currently sits in fourth nationally in points per game at 22.6. 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 and Andy Kennedy are the only two Blazers to have recorded seven 30+ point efforts. Walker has scored 30 or more points in four games this season.
GETTING "BUFF"
KJ Buffen has been one of the Blazers' most consistent players this season. He is scoring 10.5 points per game while grabbing 6.9 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. Buffen earned C-USA Player of the Week honors after putting up back-to-back double-doubles against Louisiana Tech (1/26) and Rice (1/28). He finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds in the Blazers' win over Rice for his second-career 20-point double-double.
TICKETS
UAB men's basketball single game tickets are on sale for the 2022-23 season. For more information about ticket pricing, call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 or request more information by clicking here.
Season tickets for the 2023-24 UAB men's basketball season are now available starting as low as $110. Season ticket 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 at Bartow Arena. Fans may renew season tickets, purchase new season tickets or request more information on season ticket options here. For more information about season ticket pricing, call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.
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
Center
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
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