The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Thursday, December 30
Bartow Arena
6:30 p.m.
UAB
vs
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UTEP
Photo by: Ken Shepherd
UAB Hosts UTEP Thursday to Open Conference USA Play
12/29/2021 2:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM – The UAB men's basketball team, the preseason favorites to win the Conference USA regular season championship, will open C-USA play Thursday when the Blazers host UTEP in Bartow Arena. Thursday night's tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. and will stream live on CUSA.tv.
UAB (10-3) tallied a league-best 10 wins in nonconference play and will close out 2021 against the 7-5 UTEP Miners. The Miners have won three of their past five games under first-year head coach Joe Golding.
Head coach Andy Kennedy is 1-0 in C-USA openers since his return to his alma mater, knocking off Southern Miss 72-60 to open Conference USA play this past season. Kennedy is 3-0 against UTEP in his coaching career, while the Blazers hold a 14-9 lead in the all-time series. UAB has won five straight games against UTEP dating back to 2018.
UAB LATELY
UAB closed out nonconference play with a convincing 100-58 win over Mississippi Valley State in Bartow Arena. The win not only moved the Blazers to 8-1 at home this season, but it also secured a perfect 8-0 start in Bartow Arena. The Green and Gold are undefeated in their on-campus home this season, winning each matchup by 14 points or more. In UAB's win over the Delta Devils, the Blazers overcame a slow start in dominant fashion, outscoring MVSU 60-30 in the second half to turn a 12-point halftime lead into a 42-point victory. Blazers Justin Brown and Josh LeBlanc, Sr. reached double figures in scoring for the first time this season in the win, chipping in 12 and 10 points, respectively. UAB posted a season-high 54 rebounds in the win, recording a +20 rebound margin for the first time since a 76-75 win at Troy on Nov. 7, 2019.
UTEP LATELY
UTEP has been creative so far in its 2021-22 season, using a nation-leading 10 different lineup combinations through just 12 games due to injuries or illness. The Miners, however, were able to finish nonconference play with a 7-5 record, earning home wins over Division I opponents McNeese State, Florida A&M and NC Central. UTEP also knocked off Pacific in Stockton, California, before earning a key road win at New Mexico in The Pit. Three Miners averaged double figures in scoring in nonconference action, including redshirt junior guard Souley Boum. Boum has only played in eight games this season, but he has played a team-high 33.9 minutes per game while averaging a team-best 19.9 points per game. Redshirt sophomore guard Keonte Kennedy ranks second on the UTEP roster with 13.3 points per game and first on the team with 5.9 rebounds per contest.
COMMON OPPONENTS – UTEP
The Blazers and Miners shared just one common opponent in nonconference play this season -- New Mexico. Both UAB and UTEP pulled away from the Lobos late in their respective matchups. The Miners knocked off UNM 77-69 in Albuquerque, while the Blazers earned an 86-73 victory over New Mexico in the opening round of the Las Vegas Invitational.
PREVIOUS 10 MATCHUPS IN THE SERIES
1/30/13__ UTEP________________________ W, 78-72
1/18/14__ UTEP_________________________ L, 61-63
1/29/15__ at UTEP_______________________ L, 69-71
1/9/16___ UTEP________________________ W, 87-80
2/2/17___ at UTEP_______________________ L, 59-63
1/25/18__ UTEP________________________ W, 85-78
1/17/19__ UTEP________________________ W, 76-63
2/1/20___ at UTEP______________________ W, 69-55
2/5/21___ UTEP________________________ W, 63-51
2/6/21___ UTEP________________________ W, 75-60
EXPECTATIONS WELCOMED
In October, the league's coaches selected UAB as the favorite to win the Conference USA regular season championship. The Blazers, who won a league-best 13 C-USA games this past season, earned eight of the 14 first-place votes.
QUITE THE START
UAB not only leads Conference USA with 10 nonconference victories, but the Blazers' 10 triumphs in regular season nonconference play marks the first time since 2015-16 where UAB has tallied 10 or more nonconference wins during the regular season. UAB also recorded a 10-3 start in Jerod Haase's final year with the program, going 16-2 in C-USA play to win the C-USA Regular Season Championship.
STACKING UP NICELY IN THE LEAGUE
UAB ranks first among Conference USA programs in a number of different team statistical categories, including scoring offense (82.2 points per game), scoring margin (21.2), steals per game (12.4) and turnover margin (8.6). The Blazers are also the only C-USA program to rank inside the KenPom Top 75 in both adjusted offensive efficiency (107.1 -- 72nd) and adjusted defensive efficiency (93.9 -- 56th).
HOME SWEET HOME
Throughout its history, the UAB men's basketball program has seen incredible success in Birmingham, holding a 411-103 record in Bartow Arena since the Blazers' on-campus home opened back in 1988. That success has continued with Andy Kennedy returning to his alma mater as the second-year UAB head coach holds a 23-3 record at home (Bartow and Legacy Arena) since taking over the program.
RADIO
Blazer men's basketball games are set to air on 100.5 ESPN JOX 2 with David Crane and Murry Bartow on the call.
In addition, Crane will host Blazer Sportsline every Tuesday beginning Dec. 28. The show takes place live from Iron City Grill in downtown Birmingham and features men's basketball head coach Andy Kennedy and women's basketball head coach Randy Norton.
The nine-episode show, airs from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Blazer Sportsline can be heard on 100.5 ESPN JOX 2 and fans will be encouraged to tweet questions to @UABLearfield.
Fans may also follow the Blazers this season by downloading the free TuneIn Radio app, online through Blazers All-Access at UABSports.com, or on the UAB Gameday mobile app.
WATCH
Thursday's game will stream live on CUSA.tv. This is a subscription-based service.
TICKET PROMOTION: NEW YEARS 2 FOR $22 SPECIAL
To ring in the new year, fans can purchase two tickets for just $22 for UAB's Conference USA opener against UTEP (Thursday, Dec. 30) and/or Saturday's matchup against UTSA on New Year's Day. For more information on this ticket offer, click here.
UP NEXT
The Blazers will conclude their opening weekend of Conference USA play when UTSA (6-6) heads to Birmingham for a New Year's Day matchup. Saturday's game is set for 2 p.m. and will stream live on CUSA.tv.
UAB BASKETBALL AT BARTOW ARENA
UAB requires wearing a mask indoors – regardless of vaccine status – unless actively eating or drinking and encourages masks during outdoor events, alongside regular handwashing.
MEN'S BASKETBALL TICKET INFORMATION
UAB men's basketball single-game tickets start as low as $12 and can be purchased by clicking here or calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.
Discounted group tickets and fan experiences are available for a minimum purchase of 15 tickets to any home basketball game during the 2021-22 season. Groups are encouraged to complete the UAB Basketball Group Ticket Request Form or call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office for more information.
UAB (10-3) tallied a league-best 10 wins in nonconference play and will close out 2021 against the 7-5 UTEP Miners. The Miners have won three of their past five games under first-year head coach Joe Golding.
Head coach Andy Kennedy is 1-0 in C-USA openers since his return to his alma mater, knocking off Southern Miss 72-60 to open Conference USA play this past season. Kennedy is 3-0 against UTEP in his coaching career, while the Blazers hold a 14-9 lead in the all-time series. UAB has won five straight games against UTEP dating back to 2018.
UAB LATELY
UAB closed out nonconference play with a convincing 100-58 win over Mississippi Valley State in Bartow Arena. The win not only moved the Blazers to 8-1 at home this season, but it also secured a perfect 8-0 start in Bartow Arena. The Green and Gold are undefeated in their on-campus home this season, winning each matchup by 14 points or more. In UAB's win over the Delta Devils, the Blazers overcame a slow start in dominant fashion, outscoring MVSU 60-30 in the second half to turn a 12-point halftime lead into a 42-point victory. Blazers Justin Brown and Josh LeBlanc, Sr. reached double figures in scoring for the first time this season in the win, chipping in 12 and 10 points, respectively. UAB posted a season-high 54 rebounds in the win, recording a +20 rebound margin for the first time since a 76-75 win at Troy on Nov. 7, 2019.
UTEP LATELY
UTEP has been creative so far in its 2021-22 season, using a nation-leading 10 different lineup combinations through just 12 games due to injuries or illness. The Miners, however, were able to finish nonconference play with a 7-5 record, earning home wins over Division I opponents McNeese State, Florida A&M and NC Central. UTEP also knocked off Pacific in Stockton, California, before earning a key road win at New Mexico in The Pit. Three Miners averaged double figures in scoring in nonconference action, including redshirt junior guard Souley Boum. Boum has only played in eight games this season, but he has played a team-high 33.9 minutes per game while averaging a team-best 19.9 points per game. Redshirt sophomore guard Keonte Kennedy ranks second on the UTEP roster with 13.3 points per game and first on the team with 5.9 rebounds per contest.
COMMON OPPONENTS – UTEP
The Blazers and Miners shared just one common opponent in nonconference play this season -- New Mexico. Both UAB and UTEP pulled away from the Lobos late in their respective matchups. The Miners knocked off UNM 77-69 in Albuquerque, while the Blazers earned an 86-73 victory over New Mexico in the opening round of the Las Vegas Invitational.
PREVIOUS 10 MATCHUPS IN THE SERIES
1/30/13__ UTEP________________________ W, 78-72
1/18/14__ UTEP_________________________ L, 61-63
1/29/15__ at UTEP_______________________ L, 69-71
1/9/16___ UTEP________________________ W, 87-80
2/2/17___ at UTEP_______________________ L, 59-63
1/25/18__ UTEP________________________ W, 85-78
1/17/19__ UTEP________________________ W, 76-63
2/1/20___ at UTEP______________________ W, 69-55
2/5/21___ UTEP________________________ W, 63-51
2/6/21___ UTEP________________________ W, 75-60
EXPECTATIONS WELCOMED
In October, the league's coaches selected UAB as the favorite to win the Conference USA regular season championship. The Blazers, who won a league-best 13 C-USA games this past season, earned eight of the 14 first-place votes.
QUITE THE START
UAB not only leads Conference USA with 10 nonconference victories, but the Blazers' 10 triumphs in regular season nonconference play marks the first time since 2015-16 where UAB has tallied 10 or more nonconference wins during the regular season. UAB also recorded a 10-3 start in Jerod Haase's final year with the program, going 16-2 in C-USA play to win the C-USA Regular Season Championship.
STACKING UP NICELY IN THE LEAGUE
UAB ranks first among Conference USA programs in a number of different team statistical categories, including scoring offense (82.2 points per game), scoring margin (21.2), steals per game (12.4) and turnover margin (8.6). The Blazers are also the only C-USA program to rank inside the KenPom Top 75 in both adjusted offensive efficiency (107.1 -- 72nd) and adjusted defensive efficiency (93.9 -- 56th).
HOME SWEET HOME
Throughout its history, the UAB men's basketball program has seen incredible success in Birmingham, holding a 411-103 record in Bartow Arena since the Blazers' on-campus home opened back in 1988. That success has continued with Andy Kennedy returning to his alma mater as the second-year UAB head coach holds a 23-3 record at home (Bartow and Legacy Arena) since taking over the program.
RADIO
Blazer men's basketball games are set to air on 100.5 ESPN JOX 2 with David Crane and Murry Bartow on the call.
In addition, Crane will host Blazer Sportsline every Tuesday beginning Dec. 28. The show takes place live from Iron City Grill in downtown Birmingham and features men's basketball head coach Andy Kennedy and women's basketball head coach Randy Norton.
The nine-episode show, airs from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Blazer Sportsline can be heard on 100.5 ESPN JOX 2 and fans will be encouraged to tweet questions to @UABLearfield.
Fans may also follow the Blazers this season by downloading the free TuneIn Radio app, online through Blazers All-Access at UABSports.com, or on the UAB Gameday mobile app.
WATCH
Thursday's game will stream live on CUSA.tv. This is a subscription-based service.
TICKET PROMOTION: NEW YEARS 2 FOR $22 SPECIAL
To ring in the new year, fans can purchase two tickets for just $22 for UAB's Conference USA opener against UTEP (Thursday, Dec. 30) and/or Saturday's matchup against UTSA on New Year's Day. For more information on this ticket offer, click here.
UP NEXT
The Blazers will conclude their opening weekend of Conference USA play when UTSA (6-6) heads to Birmingham for a New Year's Day matchup. Saturday's game is set for 2 p.m. and will stream live on CUSA.tv.
UAB BASKETBALL AT BARTOW ARENA
UAB requires wearing a mask indoors – regardless of vaccine status – unless actively eating or drinking and encourages masks during outdoor events, alongside regular handwashing.
MEN'S BASKETBALL TICKET INFORMATION
UAB men's basketball single-game tickets start as low as $12 and can be purchased by clicking here or calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.
Discounted group tickets and fan experiences are available for a minimum purchase of 15 tickets to any home basketball game during the 2021-22 season. Groups are encouraged to complete the UAB Basketball Group Ticket Request Form or call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office for more information.
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