The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Florida A&M
11/8/2026 6:42:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – UAB Men's Basketball hosts Florida A&M on Monday Night at Bartow Arena. The Blazers are 13-1 against SWAC schools under Andy Kennedy. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT with the game streaming live on ESPN+.
UAB enters the contest at 1-1, while Florida A&M is still searching for its first victory of the season at 0-2. Monday's meeting marks the first matchup between the programs since 2013.
UAB (0-1, American) vs. Florida A&M (0-2, SWAC)
Monday, November 9 | 6:30 p.m. CT | ESPN+
Birmingham, Ala. | Bartow Arena
TV: Curt Bloom (PxP), Mo Finley (Analyst)
Radio: 100.5 FM JOX2 with David Crane (PxP) and Steve Mitchell (Analyst)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
BLAZERS LOOK TO BUILD ON WIN IN HOME OPENER
The Blazers bounced back from an Opening Day loss on Friday night, earning a 70-63 victory over Nicholls in the first men's basketball game inside the newly renovated Bartow Arena.
Four Blazers reached double figures, led by Deuce Jones and Justyn Fernandez with 14 points apiece. T.J. Caldwell added 12 points, while Jeremy Elyzee delivered a standout performance with 10 points and a career-high 14 rebounds, including seven offensive boards. Elyzee collected his 300th career rebound in the game and his 37th career double figure scoring game.
UAB controlled the glass, outrebounding Nicholls 50-38, and held the Colonels to 31.9 percent shooting from the field. The Blazers also enjoyed a strong night at the free-throw line, converting 22-of-28 attempts.
SCOUTING FAMU
Florida A&M enters Monday night's contest with a retooled roster under second-year head coach Charlie Ward Jr., who is looking to build on a promising first season in Tallahassee. The Rattlers will look to bounce back after an Opening Night loss to Florida State at a neutral site, and D2 Fort Valley State at home last week.
The Rattlers finished 15-16 overall and 11-7 in SWAC play in 2025-26. Florida A&M earned the No. 2 seed in the SWAC Tournament and advanced to the conference semifinals, where its season came to an end against Southern.
Ward has brought in a dramatically different roster for his second season. Twelve of the 15 players on the 2026-27 roster are newcomers, including eight transfers and four freshmen.
One of the Rattlers' biggest changes is their size. Florida A&M's roster averages approximately 6-foot-7, with five players standing 6-foot-10 or taller. That includes 7-foot-3 center Assane Mbaye, who transferred from Seton Hall, and 7-foot-1 Mihailo Stijovic, who arrives from Clarendon College. Freshmen Joel Mokweza (6-10) and Jakub Lomicka (6-11) provide additional length.
The Rattlers also have several options on the perimeter. Senior guard Antonio Baker Jr. is one of three players returning from last season's squad and provides valuable experience in Ward's system. Baker is joined by fifth-year guard Jaquan Sanders, who transferred from Hofstra, and newcomers Jaden Kempson, Daisean Williford and Chandler Davis.
Ward was a standout player on the hardwood and on the gridiron at Florida State from 1990-94. Ward, a 1993 Heisman Trophy winner and national champion for the Seminoles, was a first-round draft pick in the 1994 NBA Draft (New York Knicks).
NOTES TO KNOW
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UAB is 13-1 all-time against SWAC schools, including 6-0 versus FAMU. Andy Kennedy is 1-0 against FAMU in his career with the lone win coming in 2008 when Kennedy was at Ole Miss. Kennedy also enters Monday's game four wins away from 150 wins at UAB.
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The Blazers have had four players averaging double figures through two games this season (Jones, Fernandez, Caldwell, Duval).
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UAB currently ranks 22nd in Division I basketball with 24 made free throws per game. The Green and Gold also rank 19th nationally in free throw percentage with an 82.8% mark.
BARTOW GAMEDAY
Check out what's new at Bartow Arena this season by clicking HERE.
2026-27 MEN'S BASKETBALL SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Season tickets for the 2026-27 UAB women's basketball season are on sale now. Season ticket packages include all regular season home games at the newly renovated Bartow Arena and provide the best value. For more information, click here or contact the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-8221. Fans can also request to receive additional information by clicking here.
SINGLE GAME TICKETS AND GROUP PACKAGES AVAILABLE
Single game tickets for the 2026-27 UAB women's basketball season are available now. Individual and corporate groups can also plan a memorable experience during any of UAB's home events at Bartow Arena this season by filling out the UAB Group Ticket Request Form. Fan experience packages and discounted group tickets are available for a minimum purchase of 15 tickets.
COMPETITIVE EXCELLENCE FUND
The Competitive Excellence Fund has become integral in our department mission to Win Championships, Graduate with Honors, and Impact the community. Through your generosity, our coaches will have the greatest opportunity to recruit and retain talented student athletes worthy of wearing a UAB uniform. Click here or connect with the Blazer Boosters team on how you can continue to fuel success.
FOLLOW THE BLAZERS
To keep with UAB Men's basketball this season, be sure to follow @UAB_MBB on X and Instagram.
