by Garrett Helmers
Coming off three straight wins, including a win over rival Louisiana Tech this past Saturday, Andy Kennedy has the Blazers (16-4, 5-1) in sole possession of first place in the West and the best record in the conference. With a chance to control their own destiny in conference play, the men’s team has its hands full with Western Kentucky and Marshall on the docket this week.
Randy Norton is looking to get his team back on track after dropping their first home game of the season this Saturday against LA Tech.
With the men playing both games on the road this week, the women will have the chance to defend Bartow against a couple of formidable foes.
Coach Norton’s Blazers (10-6, 3-2) still sit atop the West, but with tough opponents in WKU and Marshall ahead, they will have to play some of their best basketball of the year if they hope to remain in the driver’s seat.
MBB: Jan. 27 vs. WKU
Having lost three in a row, WKU (10-9, 2-4) is hungry to get back in the win column. Powered by top scorers Dayvion McKnight and Jairus Hamilton, the Hilltoppers will look to use their conference-best shooting percentage against a strong UAB defense.
Perhaps the most important matchup in this one is between WKU big man Jamarion Sharp, who leads the conference in blocks and is top five in rebounds per game, and Trey Jemison of UAB.
If the Blazers want to topple the Hilltoppers, they will have to assert themselves on the glass and on defense.
UAB and WKU will tipoff at 8 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
WBB: Jan. 27 vs. WKU
The Blazers will have an uphill climb against the Lady Toppers (14-4, 7-0), who lead Conference USA with an undefeated record in conference play.
Meral Abdelgawad, WKU’s leading scorer, ranks second amongst scorers in Conference USA and 21st nationally with just over twenty points a game.
If UAB is going to power past the Lady Toppers, it will take a huge performance from Conference USA’s leading rebounder and top five scorer, Zakyia Weathersby.
The Blazers and Lady Toppers tipoff at 6 p.m. at Bartow. For those who cannot make it to Birmingham on Thursday, the game can be seen on CUSA.tv.
MBB: Jan. 29 vs. Marshall
If there were ever an “easy” matchup for the Blazers in conference play, this would be the one. Marshall comes in with a record of 7-12 and is yet to win a game in conference play.
The Thundering Herd have lost nine games in a row, due largely in part to their conference-worst points per game allowed.
Blazers fans should expect a huge performance from Jordan “Jelly” Walker and the Blazers, who lead the conference in points per game with just over 81 points per contest.
UAB is first in the conference in offensive rebounding percentage at 34.6 percent, while the Thundering Herd ranks in the bottom of the league in offensive rebounds allowed.
Look for the Blazers to score a lot of second chance points in this one. If they do so, the Blazers should handle their business in Huntington this Saturday.
UAB vs. Marshall is set to tipoff at 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
WBB: Jan. 29 vs. Marshall
Another tough opponent for the Blazers, Marshall (11-5, 6-1) is riding a three-game win streak into their battles against Middle Tennessee and UAB this week.
Luckily for the Blazers, Marshall is just 3-4 on the road this season. Look for the Blazers to lean on their homecourt advantage in this one.
Sophomore Guard Savannah Wheeler is first in Conference USA in points per game, so the Blazers will have to rely on guards Maria Roters and Emily Klaczek to keep her in check.
If the Blazers can play sound defense and get key contributions from players other than Zakyia Weathersby, they certainly have a chance this Saturday in Bartow Arena.
The Blazers and the Thundering Herd tipoff at 2 p.m. in Birmingham. The game will be available to stream on CUSA.tv.
