The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Sunday, January 28
Birmingham, Ala.
4 p.m.
UAB
vs
Memphis
Photo by: Brantley Bargerhuff
UAB MBB Faces No. 19 Memphis in Bartow Classic
1/27/2024 4:09:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM - UAB men's basketball (12-7, 4-2 AAC) will host No. 19 Memphis (15-4, 4-2 AAC) in the Bartow Classic on Sunday afternoon. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. CT.
Sunday's contest will be the annual Bartow Classic in honor of former UAB head basketball coach and athletic director Gene Bartow. For every single game ticket sold, $2 will go to the Gene Bartow Fund for Cancer Research at the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. Purchase your tickets here.
WATCH
Sunday's game will air on ESPN with Tom Hart and Jimmy Dykes on the call.
LISTEN
David Crane and Steve Mitchell will call the game for UAB on 100.5 ESPN JOX 2.
SERIES HISTORY
Memphis leads the all-time series 39-11, including a 14-9 advantage in Birmingham. The Tigers have won 18 of the last 19 meetings. Andy Kennedy holds a 3-2 record against Memphis in his career. The teams last met on December 7, 2019 at Bartow Arena with the Tigers taking the matchup by a 65-57 final score after the Blazers led by 16 points at the half.
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 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.
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Throughout its history, the UAB men's basketball program has seen incredible success in Birmingham, holding a 442-109 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 third year UAB head coach holds a 56-9 record at home (Bartow and Legacy Arena) since taking over the program.
GET TO THE LINE
The Blazers are one of the best teams in the country at getting to the charity stripe. UAB ranks 14th in the nation in free throws made per game at 17.8 while ranking 19th nationally in free throw attempts per game with 24.2. UAB shoots free throws at a 73.9 percent clip which ranks 84th in the nation.
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 is tied for 77th nationally, grabbing 38.47 rebounds per game. The Blazers excel on the offensive glass, grabbing 13.2 offensive boards per game. Yaxel Lendeborg leads the Blazers in rebounding, grabbing 9.0 per game.
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.
Sunday's contest will be the annual Bartow Classic in honor of former UAB head basketball coach and athletic director Gene Bartow. For every single game ticket sold, $2 will go to the Gene Bartow Fund for Cancer Research at the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. Purchase your tickets here.
WATCH
Sunday's game will air on ESPN with Tom Hart and Jimmy Dykes on the call.
LISTEN
David Crane and Steve Mitchell will call the game for UAB on 100.5 ESPN JOX 2.
SERIES HISTORY
Memphis leads the all-time series 39-11, including a 14-9 advantage in Birmingham. The Tigers have won 18 of the last 19 meetings. Andy Kennedy holds a 3-2 record against Memphis in his career. The teams last met on December 7, 2019 at Bartow Arena with the Tigers taking the matchup by a 65-57 final score after the Blazers led by 16 points at the half.
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 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.
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Throughout its history, the UAB men's basketball program has seen incredible success in Birmingham, holding a 442-109 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 third year UAB head coach holds a 56-9 record at home (Bartow and Legacy Arena) since taking over the program.
GET TO THE LINE
The Blazers are one of the best teams in the country at getting to the charity stripe. UAB ranks 14th in the nation in free throws made per game at 17.8 while ranking 19th nationally in free throw attempts per game with 24.2. UAB shoots free throws at a 73.9 percent clip which ranks 84th in the nation.
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 is tied for 77th nationally, grabbing 38.47 rebounds per game. The Blazers excel on the offensive glass, grabbing 13.2 offensive boards per game. Yaxel Lendeborg leads the Blazers in rebounding, grabbing 9.0 per game.
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
Forward
/ Men's BasketballCoffee with Coach | 2025 Week 6
Monday, September 29
Coffee with Coach | 2025 Week 8
Monday, September 29
Coffee with Coach | 2025 Week 7
Monday, September 29
The Rewind: Week 1 - Alabama State
Monday, September 29
