The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Breaking Down the MBB Non-Conference Slate: Part 1
9/13/2023 2:56:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM – UAB men's basketball has put together a competitive non-conference slate for the 2023-24 season. UABSports.com will be going through the Blazers' opponents in three parts as the season approaches.
November 6, 2023 | Birmingham, Ala. | Bartow Arena
2022-23: 25-10, 16-4 MVC | MVC Regular Season Champs, NIT First Round
Head Coach: Brian Wardle | 8th Season | 230-191 Overall, 135-126 at Bradley
Series History: Tied 2-2 | Last Meeting: 11/27/01, UAB 82, Bradley 50
The Blazers will host Bradley on the opening night of the 2023-24 college basketball season in one of the most compelling matchups of the day, and one of only two contests on opening day that features two teams that each won 25 games last season.
While Bradley lost Rienk Mast, their leading scorer from a year ago, to the portal, the Braves have made quality additions while returning an experienced group. The Braves were a high-level defensive group last season, as they ranked 25th nationally in KenPom's adjusted defensive efficiency. Bradley also attacked the defensive boards at a high rate, holding opponents to the 16th-lowest offensive rebound rate in the country.
Key Returners: Malevy Leons (11.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg), Duke Deen (9.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.8 apg), Connor Hickman (8.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.1 apg)
Newcomers: Demarion Burch (HS), Almar Atlason (HS), Kyle Thomas (Eastern Illinois), Trey Pettigrew (Nevada), Emarion Ellis (Texas/Marquette)
Final Rankings: ESPN BPI: 72, KenPom: 90, NET: 78
November 10, 2023 | Asheville, N.C. | Harrah's Cherokee Center
2022-23: 23-11, 15-6 ACC | NIT First Round
Head Coach: Brad Brownell | 14th Season | 408-261 Overall, 241-177 at Clemson
Series History: UAB leads 2-1 | Last Meeting: 3/15/11, Clemson 70, UAB 52
UAB takes on Clemson in the opening game of the Asheville Championship on Friday, November 10 at 8:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+. The Blazers last met the Tigers during the 2011 NCAA Tournament First Four in Dayton, Ohio, when UAB staffers Aaron Johnson and Rob Williams were both on the roster.
Clemson proved to be a physical defensive team in 2022-23, as the Tigers finished the year with the top field goal percentage defense in the ACC at 40.5 percent. On the offensive end, Clemson shot 36.4 percent from beyond the arc and 78.5 percent from the free throw line which ranked second and first in the ACC, respectively.
While the Tigers lost Hunter Tyson to the NBA, Clemson returns leading scorer PJ Hall and point guard Chase Hunter to an experienced squad. The Tigers were active in the portal as well, adding former Syracuse guard Joseph Girard III, former Air Force Guard Jake Heidbreder and former La Salle/NC State forward Jack Clark, all players that have career scoring averages over 10 ppg.
Key Returners: PJ Hall (15.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg), Chase Hunter (13.8 ppg, 4.5 apg)
Newcomers: Joseph Girard III (Syracuse), Jack Clark (NC State), Bas Leyte (UNCG), Jake Heidbreder (AFA), Asa Thomas (HS)
Final Rankings: ESPN BPI: 72, KenPom: 63, NET: 67
November 12, 2023 | Asheville, N.C. | Harrah's Cherokee Center
2022-23: 16-16, 8-10 A10
Head Coach: Matt McKillop | 2nd Season | 16-16 Overall
Series History: N/A | Last Meeting: N/A
The Blazers will face either Davidson or Maryland in their second game at the Asheville Championship at either 11:30 a.m. CT or 2 p.m. CT on ESPN2. It will mark the first meeting between UAB and either school.
Davidson is entering its second season under head coach Matt McKillop, who succeeded his father, longtime head coach Bob McKillop. The Wildcats lost three of their top four scorers from last season, including star guard Foster Loyer.
The Wildcats took care of the basketball last season, finishing the year atop the A-10, averaging only 10.8 turnovers per game. Davidson also took advantage of their opportunities from the charity stripe, as their 74.8 percent clip also ranked first in the league.
Grant Huffman returns after averaging 9.4 points and 3.6 assists per game last season while starting all 32 games. Huffman ranked third in the conference in assist/turnover ratio.
Key Returners: Grant Huffman (9.4 ppg, 3.6 apg), David Skogman (7.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg), Connor Kochera (6.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg), Reed Bailey (5.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg)
Newcomers: Jarvis Moss (Stanford), Bobby Durkin (HS), Mike Loughnane (HS), Rikus Schulte (HS)
Final Rankings: ESPN BPI: 158, KenPom: 140, NET: 145
November 12, 2023 | Asheville, N.C. | Harrah's Cherokee Center
2022-23: 22-13, 11-9 BTN | NCAA Second Round
Head Coach: Kevin Willard| 2nd Season | 292-223 Overall, 22-13 at Maryland
Series History: N/A | Last Meeting: N/A
The Blazers will face either Davidson or Maryland in their second game at the Asheville Championship at either 11:30 a.m. CT or 2 p.m. CT on ESPN2. It will mark the first meeting between UAB and either school.
Maryland reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament in their first season under head coach Kevin Willard and the Terps have a talented roster returning for the 2023-24 season. They return three of their top four scorers from last season, including leading scorer Jahmir Young and leading rebounder Julian Reese.
The Terps were one of the best defensive teams in the country last season, especially when defending the three-point line. According to KenPom, Maryland had the No. 32 adjusted defense rating in the country while the Terps' defense forced opponents to average the second-longest possession length nationally.
Maryland brought in a talented recruiting class this offseason to add to their experienced roster. On3 ranks the 2023 recruiting class at No. 19 nationally, headlined by DeShawn Harris-Smith and Jaime Kaiser, both Top-100 recruits. Jordan Geromimo also transferred to Maryland from Indiana, giving the Terps another player with Big Ten experience.
Key Returners: Jahmir Young (15.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.1 apg), Julian Reese (11.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg), Donta Scott (11.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg)
Newcomers: DeShawn Harris-Smith (HS), Jaime Kaiser (HS), Jahnathan Lamothe (HS), Braden Pierce (HS), Jordan Geronimo (Indiana), Mady Traore (NMSU), Chance Stephens (LMU)
Final Rankings: ESPN BPI: 22, KenPom: 23, NET: 32, AP: RV, Coaches: RV
2023-24 SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2023-24 UAB men's basketball season are 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.
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 compete 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.
BRADLEY
November 6, 2023 | Birmingham, Ala. | Bartow Arena
2022-23: 25-10, 16-4 MVC | MVC Regular Season Champs, NIT First Round
Head Coach: Brian Wardle | 8th Season | 230-191 Overall, 135-126 at Bradley
Series History: Tied 2-2 | Last Meeting: 11/27/01, UAB 82, Bradley 50
The Blazers will host Bradley on the opening night of the 2023-24 college basketball season in one of the most compelling matchups of the day, and one of only two contests on opening day that features two teams that each won 25 games last season.
While Bradley lost Rienk Mast, their leading scorer from a year ago, to the portal, the Braves have made quality additions while returning an experienced group. The Braves were a high-level defensive group last season, as they ranked 25th nationally in KenPom's adjusted defensive efficiency. Bradley also attacked the defensive boards at a high rate, holding opponents to the 16th-lowest offensive rebound rate in the country.
Key Returners: Malevy Leons (11.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg), Duke Deen (9.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.8 apg), Connor Hickman (8.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.1 apg)
Newcomers: Demarion Burch (HS), Almar Atlason (HS), Kyle Thomas (Eastern Illinois), Trey Pettigrew (Nevada), Emarion Ellis (Texas/Marquette)
Final Rankings: ESPN BPI: 72, KenPom: 90, NET: 78
CLEMSON (Asheville Championship)
November 10, 2023 | Asheville, N.C. | Harrah's Cherokee Center
2022-23: 23-11, 15-6 ACC | NIT First Round
Head Coach: Brad Brownell | 14th Season | 408-261 Overall, 241-177 at Clemson
Series History: UAB leads 2-1 | Last Meeting: 3/15/11, Clemson 70, UAB 52
UAB takes on Clemson in the opening game of the Asheville Championship on Friday, November 10 at 8:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+. The Blazers last met the Tigers during the 2011 NCAA Tournament First Four in Dayton, Ohio, when UAB staffers Aaron Johnson and Rob Williams were both on the roster.
Clemson proved to be a physical defensive team in 2022-23, as the Tigers finished the year with the top field goal percentage defense in the ACC at 40.5 percent. On the offensive end, Clemson shot 36.4 percent from beyond the arc and 78.5 percent from the free throw line which ranked second and first in the ACC, respectively.
While the Tigers lost Hunter Tyson to the NBA, Clemson returns leading scorer PJ Hall and point guard Chase Hunter to an experienced squad. The Tigers were active in the portal as well, adding former Syracuse guard Joseph Girard III, former Air Force Guard Jake Heidbreder and former La Salle/NC State forward Jack Clark, all players that have career scoring averages over 10 ppg.
Key Returners: PJ Hall (15.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg), Chase Hunter (13.8 ppg, 4.5 apg)
Newcomers: Joseph Girard III (Syracuse), Jack Clark (NC State), Bas Leyte (UNCG), Jake Heidbreder (AFA), Asa Thomas (HS)
Final Rankings: ESPN BPI: 72, KenPom: 63, NET: 67
DAVIDSON (Asheville Championship)
November 12, 2023 | Asheville, N.C. | Harrah's Cherokee Center
2022-23: 16-16, 8-10 A10
Head Coach: Matt McKillop | 2nd Season | 16-16 Overall
Series History: N/A | Last Meeting: N/A
The Blazers will face either Davidson or Maryland in their second game at the Asheville Championship at either 11:30 a.m. CT or 2 p.m. CT on ESPN2. It will mark the first meeting between UAB and either school.
Davidson is entering its second season under head coach Matt McKillop, who succeeded his father, longtime head coach Bob McKillop. The Wildcats lost three of their top four scorers from last season, including star guard Foster Loyer.
The Wildcats took care of the basketball last season, finishing the year atop the A-10, averaging only 10.8 turnovers per game. Davidson also took advantage of their opportunities from the charity stripe, as their 74.8 percent clip also ranked first in the league.
Grant Huffman returns after averaging 9.4 points and 3.6 assists per game last season while starting all 32 games. Huffman ranked third in the conference in assist/turnover ratio.
Key Returners: Grant Huffman (9.4 ppg, 3.6 apg), David Skogman (7.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg), Connor Kochera (6.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg), Reed Bailey (5.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg)
Newcomers: Jarvis Moss (Stanford), Bobby Durkin (HS), Mike Loughnane (HS), Rikus Schulte (HS)
Final Rankings: ESPN BPI: 158, KenPom: 140, NET: 145
MARYLAND (Asheville Championship)
November 12, 2023 | Asheville, N.C. | Harrah's Cherokee Center
2022-23: 22-13, 11-9 BTN | NCAA Second Round
Head Coach: Kevin Willard| 2nd Season | 292-223 Overall, 22-13 at Maryland
Series History: N/A | Last Meeting: N/A
The Blazers will face either Davidson or Maryland in their second game at the Asheville Championship at either 11:30 a.m. CT or 2 p.m. CT on ESPN2. It will mark the first meeting between UAB and either school.
Maryland reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament in their first season under head coach Kevin Willard and the Terps have a talented roster returning for the 2023-24 season. They return three of their top four scorers from last season, including leading scorer Jahmir Young and leading rebounder Julian Reese.
The Terps were one of the best defensive teams in the country last season, especially when defending the three-point line. According to KenPom, Maryland had the No. 32 adjusted defense rating in the country while the Terps' defense forced opponents to average the second-longest possession length nationally.
Maryland brought in a talented recruiting class this offseason to add to their experienced roster. On3 ranks the 2023 recruiting class at No. 19 nationally, headlined by DeShawn Harris-Smith and Jaime Kaiser, both Top-100 recruits. Jordan Geromimo also transferred to Maryland from Indiana, giving the Terps another player with Big Ten experience.
Key Returners: Jahmir Young (15.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.1 apg), Julian Reese (11.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg), Donta Scott (11.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg)
Newcomers: DeShawn Harris-Smith (HS), Jaime Kaiser (HS), Jahnathan Lamothe (HS), Braden Pierce (HS), Jordan Geronimo (Indiana), Mady Traore (NMSU), Chance Stephens (LMU)
Final Rankings: ESPN BPI: 22, KenPom: 23, NET: 32, AP: RV, Coaches: RV
2023-24 SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2023-24 UAB men's basketball season are 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.
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 compete 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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