LAS VEGAS – UAB men’s basketball (29-9, 14-6 C-USA) will look to capture the program’s first NIT crown on Thursday against a familiar foe in North Texas (30-7, 16-4 C-USA). Tipoff is set for 8:40 p.m. CT.
SERIES HISTORY
UAB will face off the Mean Green for the fourth time this season. The Blazers have never faced the same team four times in one season. North Texas took the first two meetings of the season, but the Blazers beat the Mean Green in the C-USA Tournament semifinal.
NIT HISTORY
The Blazers have advanced to the NIT championship game for the first time in program history. UAB’s previously earned a pair of third place finishes in the tournament.
LAST TIME OUT
UAB took down Utah Valley in overtime in the semifinals, 88-86, while Ty Brewer had a career night. Brewer tied his career high with 30 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and had five steals.
FAST PACED, HIGH POWERED OFFENSE
The Blazers are yet again one of the highest scoring teams in the country under Andy Kennedy. After finishing the 2021-22 season ranking sixth in points per game nationally, UAB finds itself at No. 10 with 81.3 points per game. The Blazers are listed at No. 31 according to KenPom in adjusted tempo.
A TALL TASK
Opposing big men will face an uphill battle against UAB center Trey Jemison, who leads the Blazers in total rebounds (322, 3rd in UAB history), rebounds per game (8.5, T-8th in UAB history), blocks (67, 9th in UAB history), and blocks per game (1.9, 10th in UAB history) in 2022-23. The 7-foot center teams with transfers Javian Davis and Ty Brewer, along with returners Rongie Gordon and KJ Buffen, to form one of the best front courts in Conference USA.
GET TO THE LINE
The Blazers are one of the best teams in the country at getting to the charity stripe. UAB is 16th in the nation in free throws made per game at 16.4 while ranking No. 22 nationally in free throw attempts per game with 22.2. At the line, the Blazers are knocking down their attempts at a 74.0 percent clip, ranking 87th in the country.
ATTACK THE GLASS
UAB currently ranks near the top of the NCAA leaderboards in rebounds per game and offensive rebounds per game. The Blazers currently sit at No. 2 in the NCAA in rebounds per game at 41.2 and they are No. 5 in offensive rebounds per game at 13.53. The Blazers lead Conference USA in both categories.
2023-24 SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2023-24 UAB men’s basketball season are now available starting as low as $110. Season ticket packages will feature all home games during UAB’s inaugural season in the American Athletic Conference and provide the most cost-effective way to attend games at Bartow Arena. Fans may renew season tickets, purchase new season tickets or request more information on season ticket options here. For more information about season ticket pricing, call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.
FOLLOW THE BLAZERS
For more information on the UAB men’s basketball team, follow @UAB_MBB on Twitter and Instagram.
