UAB Hosts Arkansas State in Non-Conference Test

BIRMINGHAM – UAB men's basketball is set to host Arkansas State on Sunday afternoon in a big non-conference test. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. CT at Bartow Arena.

As the first of the Blazers' three Holiday Hoops games, the first 700 fans will receive UAB holiday ornaments. Blaze Claus will also be available for photos on the concourse beginning at 4 p.m, when doors open, until tipoff.

WATCH
Sunday's contest will stream live on ESPN+ with Curt Bloom and Mo Finley on the call.

LISTEN
David Crane and Steve Mitchell will call the game for UAB on 100.5 ESPN.

SERIES HISTORY
The all-time series between UAB and Arkansas State is tied at 1-1. The Red Wolves won last year's meeting by a score of 87-68 in Jonesboro.

LAST TIME OUT
The Blazers picked up a 95-66 win over Prairie View A&M last Friday before taking a week off for finals. UAB shot 55.7 percent from the field and hit a season-high 10 threes. Tony Toney led the team with 15 points, his most against a DI school, while Yaxel Lendeborg had a double-double and Tyren Moore added 14 points.

YAX IS BACK
Yaxel Lendeborg had a dominant debut season at UAB. The forward led the Blazers with 13.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.1 blocks per game, earning American Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors. Lendeborg set UAB and American Conference records with 370 rebounds in a single season and also recorded a program record 19 double-doubles. He finished the season with five games of 20+ points and 15+ rebounds, second nationally only to National Player of the Year Zach Edey. His 72 blocks rank as the seventh most in a single season in UAB history. Lendeborg is one of only seven players in the country returning after averaging a double-double during the 2023-24 season.

JUCO DAWGS
UAB has embraced the JUCO ranks during Andy Kennedy's time in Birmingham and the 2024-25 roster features seven players that have played at a Junior College including Christian Coleman (South Plains), Greg Gordon (Dyersburg State), Marquis Hargrove (Arizona Western), Ja'Borri McGhee (Garden City/South Plains), Yaxel Lendeborg (Arizona Western), and Alejandro Vasquez (Salt Lake). JUCO players accounted for 41.7% of the Blazers' scoring last season and 48.4% of their rebounding. So far this season, JUCO players have accounted for 70.5% of the Blazers' scoring and 63.5% of their rebounding.

CRASH THE BOARDS
Last year UAB finished 61st nationally in rebounds per game, grabbing 38.0 per contest. The Blazers exceled on the offensive glass, grabbing 12.9 offensive boards per game, which was 27th in the nation. This season, UAB is again among the top rebounding teams in the nation, ranking 31st in the country in rebounds per contest with 41.1. UAB is especially strong on the offensive glass with 15.1 offensive boards per game, which is 10th in the nation. Yaxel Lendeborg led the team in rebounding last season with 10.6 per game. He has grabbed 15 or more rebounds in 12 games as a Blazer, including a 21-rebound game vs. Florida Atlantic which ranks second in program history.

PURCHASE YOUR 2024-25 SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2024-25 UAB men's basketball season are still available starting as low as $110. Season packages will feature all home games during UAB's second season in the American Athletic Conference and provide the most cost-effective way to attend games in Bartow Arena. An overview of the sales timeline can be found here, and fans may request more information here or by calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.

GROUP RATES AND FAN EXPERIENCE PACKAGES NOW AVAILABLE
Individual and corporate groups can plan an unforgettable experience during any of UAB's home events at Bartow Arena 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.

Group ticket packages provide your family, friends, or company the opportunity to save money on the single game ticket price while providing access to memorable fan experiences at Bartow Arena. Discounted group rates are available for both men's and women's basketball games and pricing is based on the size of the pre-purchased group. This season, UAB Athletics is offering unique fan experiences for groups including a spirit tunnel, sideline warm-up watch, group photo at center court, post-game free throws, and videoboard recognition, among others. Click here for a complete listing of the group rates, group benefits, and fan experience packages offered.

POWER UP
UAB Athletics is excited to 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 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.

UAB Hosts Arkansas State in Non-Conference Test

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Players Mentioned

Christian Coleman

Greg Gordon

Marquis Hargrove

Yaxel Lendeborg

Ja'Borri McGhee

Tyren Moore

Tony Toney

Alejandro Vasquez

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics