Andy Kennedy’s second season at UAB has high expectations. The UAB Blazers men’s basketball team was selected first in the Conference USA men’s basketball preseason poll and junior guard Tavin Lovan was selected to the preseason all-conference team by the league’s 14 head coach.
The Blazers finished first in the poll with 190 points and eight first place votes. Louisiana Tech followed behind quickly in second place with 184 points and six first place votes. Western Kentucky, Marshall and Old Dominion rounded out the top five.
Lovan was selected as one of the 11 members on the preseason all-conference team. He average 12.2 points a game and was named Conference USA second team all-conference last season.
In Kennedy’s first year as coach, the Blazers finished the season 22-7 after a hot 7-0 start. They finished second in Conference USA’s west division with a 13-5 record in conference play.
In addition to Lovan, UAB brings a lot of talent coming into the season. Returning players Trey Jemison, Quan Jackson and Michael Ertel all had career-best seasons last year.
A large number of transfers has also increased expectations of the Blazers. UAB took in eight over the summer: Justin Brown, KJ Buffen, AD Diedhiou, Jamal Johnson, Josh LeBlanc, Sr., Tyreke Locure, Elijah Tate and Jordan Walker.
UAB men’s basketball will begin its season with an exhibition match versus AUM on Nov. 1 at Bartow Arena. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m.
Preseason Poll
- UAB (8) – 190 points
- Louisiana Tech (6) – 184 points
- Western Kentucky – 162 points
- Marshall – 147 points
- Old Dominion – 130 points
- North Texas – 124 points
- Charlotte – 110 points
- Rice – 104 points
- Florida Atlantic – 84 points
- UTEP – 82 points
- UTSA – 48 points
- Southern Miss – 42 points
- FIU – 36 points
- Middle Tennessee – 28 points
Preseason All-Conference Selections
- Josh Anderson, Western Kentucky
- Thomas Bell, North Texas
- Souley Boum, UTEP
- Isaiah Crawford, Louisiana Tech
- Kalu Ezikpe, Old Dominion
- Taevion Kinsey, Marshall
- Kenneth Lofton, Jr. Louisiana Tech
- Tavin Lovan, UAB
- Quincy Olivari, Rice
- Tyler Stevenson, Southern Miss
- Jahmir Young, Charlotte
