alex96@uab.edu
Men's basketball vs. Rice last season. Photo by Tamara ImamWelcome back to school Blazers! It’s time to set alarms and fight sleep in Sterne Library while writing papers and cramming for exams. Time to get phone numbers from classmates and then only text them for notes. When I’m not studying this year though, I will likely be at a Blazer basketball game. The men finished last season with 26 wins and only seven losses. This will be the first year for the team under the leadership of Head Coach Robert Ehsan after Jerod Haase left for Stanford. Although I will probably be in the crowd or in front of the television for every game, here are the games I’m most excited about this year:UAB vs. Kansas (CBE Hall of Fame Classic)
November 21, 2016
The Kansas Jayhawks have been the Big 12 regular season champions or co-champions every year since 2004. They finished last season in the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament. They also have the number one high school recruit and projected number one pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Josh Jackson, playing for them this year. This will be the hardest team UAB plays during the season. The good news is the game will be in a neutral site, Kansas City, Mo. If UAB finds a way to win, this could put them in the Top 25.
Auburn vs. UAB
December 3, 2016
UAB’s first game of last season was a heartbreaking loss to the Auburn Tigers by just one point. This year, Bruce Pearl’s squad comes to Bartow Arena to play in a game that I predict will be the most well-attended home game this year for the Blazers. It’s a good matchup, and a win will look good for UAB when the NCAA Selection Committee analyzes strength of schedule.
UAB vs. Middle Tennessee
January 1, 2017
What better way to start off the New Year than by having a matchup between the last two champions of Conference USA? Middle Tennessee has lost its five matchups against UAB, including the 2015 Conference USA Championship. Reggie Upshaw and Giddy Potts are returning for the Blue Raiders and it will be a matchup I cannot wait to see.
Western Kentucky vs. UAB
January 12, 2017
Revenge. The Hilltoppers defeated the Blazers twice last season. They knocked UAB out of the Conference USA Tournament and thus out of a chance to play in the NCAA Tournament. The Hilltoppers are bringing back star forward Justin Johnson, and they have a new coach: Rick Stansbury. It will definitely not be a warm welcome when they arrive at Bartow.
UAB vs. ? (Conference USA Tournament)
March 8-11, 2017
The Conference USA Tournament will be back in Birmingham this season and I will be there every day. I encourage all students and fans to take off and go to the games as well. If the Blazers win the tournament, I believe they will earn an automatic bid for the NCAA Tournament.
