The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Sunday, February 4
Dallas, Texas
5 p.m.
UAB
at
SMU
Photo by: Mario Terrana
MBB Takes on SMU in Dallas
2/3/2024 10:52:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM – UAB men's basketball (14-7, 6-2 AAC) returns to the Metroplex for the second time this week to take on SMU (14-7, 5-3 AAC). Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. CT.
WATCH
Sunday's game will air on ESPN2 with Rich Hollenberg and Perry Clark on the call.
LISTEN
David Crane and Mo Finley will call the game for UAB on 100.5 ESPN JOX 2.
SERIES HISTORY
UAB leads the all-time series over the Mustangs, 9-2, winning each of the last seven meetings. The programs will meet for the first time since 2013 on Sunday.
LAST TIME OUT
The Blazers went to North Texas and erased a 17-point deficit to snap the Mean Green's 17-game home winning streak. UAB downed UNT, 82-79, in overtime while four Blazers added at least 15 points. Efrem "Butta" Johnson matched his career high with 18 points while Yaxel Lendeborg recorded his ninth double-double of the year with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Javian Davis added 16 and Alejandro Vasquez scored 15 points to pace the Blazers.
SMOOTH LIKE "BUTTA"
Efrem "Butta" Johnson averaged 3.5 points and 1.3 rebounds per game last year while shooting 37.8 percent from beyond the arc and has taken on a much larger role in year two. Johnson scored 17 points against Clemson early this season while adding three rebounds and three assists. He later set a career high with 18 points, including the game-winning three against Alcorn State. Johnson stepped up once again in the clutch against UTSA, scoring the final 10 points, including the game-winner with two seconds to go. "Butta" put up 15 points and dished out a career high six assists in a win over Tulane before matching his career high of 18 against North Texas.
GET TO THE LINE
The Blazers are one of the best teams in the country at getting to the charity stripe. UAB ranks 10th in the nation in free throws made per game at 18.4 while ranking 14th nationally in free throw attempts per game with 24.6. UAB shoots free throws at a 74.7 percent clip which ranks 60th in the country.
CRASH THE BOARDS
The Blazers finished the 2022-23 season at No. 2 in the NCAA in rebounds per game at 40.9 and No. 5 in offensive rebounds per game at 13.5 and are once again a top-100 rebounding team. UAB ranks 71st nationally, grabbing 38.3 rebounds per game. The Blazers excel on the offensive glass, grabbing 13.1 offensive boards per game, which ranks 27th in the nation. Yaxel Lendeborg leads the Blazers in rebounding, grabbing 9.4 per game. He has grabbed 15 or more rebounds in six games this season.
TICKET INFORMATION
Single game tickets are on sale for as low as $12. Follow this link or call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more information.
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 2024 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
Sunday's game will air on ESPN2 with Rich Hollenberg and Perry Clark on the call.
LISTEN
David Crane and Mo Finley will call the game for UAB on 100.5 ESPN JOX 2.
SERIES HISTORY
UAB leads the all-time series over the Mustangs, 9-2, winning each of the last seven meetings. The programs will meet for the first time since 2013 on Sunday.
LAST TIME OUT
The Blazers went to North Texas and erased a 17-point deficit to snap the Mean Green's 17-game home winning streak. UAB downed UNT, 82-79, in overtime while four Blazers added at least 15 points. Efrem "Butta" Johnson matched his career high with 18 points while Yaxel Lendeborg recorded his ninth double-double of the year with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Javian Davis added 16 and Alejandro Vasquez scored 15 points to pace the Blazers.
SMOOTH LIKE "BUTTA"
Efrem "Butta" Johnson averaged 3.5 points and 1.3 rebounds per game last year while shooting 37.8 percent from beyond the arc and has taken on a much larger role in year two. Johnson scored 17 points against Clemson early this season while adding three rebounds and three assists. He later set a career high with 18 points, including the game-winning three against Alcorn State. Johnson stepped up once again in the clutch against UTSA, scoring the final 10 points, including the game-winner with two seconds to go. "Butta" put up 15 points and dished out a career high six assists in a win over Tulane before matching his career high of 18 against North Texas.
GET TO THE LINE
The Blazers are one of the best teams in the country at getting to the charity stripe. UAB ranks 10th in the nation in free throws made per game at 18.4 while ranking 14th nationally in free throw attempts per game with 24.6. UAB shoots free throws at a 74.7 percent clip which ranks 60th in the country.
CRASH THE BOARDS
The Blazers finished the 2022-23 season at No. 2 in the NCAA in rebounds per game at 40.9 and No. 5 in offensive rebounds per game at 13.5 and are once again a top-100 rebounding team. UAB ranks 71st nationally, grabbing 38.3 rebounds per game. The Blazers excel on the offensive glass, grabbing 13.1 offensive boards per game, which ranks 27th in the nation. Yaxel Lendeborg leads the Blazers in rebounding, grabbing 9.4 per game. He has grabbed 15 or more rebounds in six games this season.
TICKET INFORMATION
Single game tickets are on sale for as low as $12. Follow this link or call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more information.
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 2024 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.
Players Mentioned
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