Both the UAB men’s and women’s basketball teams are set to hit the court for back-to-back games against Southern Miss on January 8 and 9. The men will be in Bartow Arena, the women in Hattiesburg, Miss. The two teams have had a radically different two weeks leading up to these games with the men missing three games because of COVID issues in the program while the women opened conference play.
Conference USA poses a unique challenge for teams this year, one that few others must face: playing the same opponent twice in two days. In the first week of action, there were five matchups with only Rice sweeping. The women’s side more one-sided with five of six matchups being sweeps, but the challenge of completing a sweep is not one to underestimate.
Men vs Southern Miss
The men’s team are set to return to the court for the first time since their December 19 loss to Chattanooga playing Southern Miss at home.
The two schools have a storied history with UAB leading the all-time series 27-17.
Due to COVID issues within the UAB program, the team was unable to play their last three games against Georgia Tech and North Texas. As of January 6, the games against Southern Miss are still scheduled to be played.
The Golden Eagles are 5-4 on the season, splitting last week’s games versus UTEP thanks to an improbable comeback late in the Friday game.
Tyler Stevenson is the player to watch for the Golden Eagles. The junior forward leads the team in both points and rebounds with an average of 11.8 points per game and 7.6 rebounds this season. In last year’s victory over UAB (albeit a very different Blazer basketball team), Stevenson finish one rebound shy of a double-double.
Southern Miss has struggled against quality opponents this year, so the Blazers should win. With this format, however, splitting the series is not out of the question.
The games are set to be played at Bartow Arena. The Friday game is set tip at 6:30 PM and the Saturday game at 4 PM. Friday’s game is set to stream on CUSA.tv and Saturday’s is scheduled for ESPN+. Both games will be available to listen to on WJQX 100.5 in Birmingham.
Women at Southern Miss
The women’s team dropped their first two games of the season against North Texas by four and nine points, respectively. Now they make their first road trip of the conference season facing the Golden Eagles of Southern Miss.
Longtime conference rivals, these games are set to be matchups number 66 and 67 between the two teams. The Blazers lead the series 40-25.
The Golden Eagles sit at only 2-2 due to the cancellation of their first five games of the season, losing their first two games of the conference season against UTEP on the road last weekend. It is hard to benchmark them with limited time on the court, but in their four games they have been strong in the paint.
Senior guard Allie Kennedy has been a constant for the Golden Eagles starting in all four games and averaging 7.3 points.
The Blazers are young and struggled hanging on against North Texas last week. Do not be surprised to see these two teams split.
The games are set to be played at Reed Green Coliseum in Hattiesburg, Miss. The Friday game is set to tip at 6 PM and the Saturday game at 4 PM.
