UAB was dominant in the first week of the Andy Kennedy era, playing in front of small, socially distant crowds. The Blazers averaged 91.5 points per game against Alcorn State and Southeastern Louisiana.
This was the highest scoring first two games for the Blazers since Gene Bartow was coach back in 1990. The team also averaged six blocks and 12.5 steals a game in a flashy show of their physical defense.
Quan Jackson, a transfer senior guard from Georgia Southern, averaged 16 points, 8.5 rebounds and four steals amid highlight reel performances in his first two games as a Blazer.
Sophomore guard Jalen Benjamin also shone bright, averaging 18.5 points a game while shooting 46.7 from behind the arc coming off the bench.
There is reason not to get too excited from these first results. Alcorn State and Southeastern Louisiana have been two of the worst teams in the nation recently.
It’s hard to judge how UAB might fare in Conference USA based off this level of competition.
Dec 2 vs Kennesaw State
Kennesaw State is set to travel to Bartow Arena for a Wednesday night matchup at 6:30 p.m. on December 2. This is the first meeting between the two programs.
The Owls are a recent addition to Division 1. They have yet to achieve a winning season at this level, winning only one game last year.
The Owls are a very young team with seven freshman and not a single senior. That inexperience could likely harm them down the stretch.
Junior Guard Spencer Rodgers is the player to watch for the Owls. The junior college transfer has put up a combined 34 points in the first two games of the season. He is a strong three-point shooter that the Owls are certainly going to want to go off Wednesday night.
While Kennesaw State has looked strong in its opening two games, they were both against non-Division 1 teams. Don’t expect the Owls to put up those kinds of big numbers on the Blazers.
UAB should take this handily.
The game will be available to stream on CUSA.tv and to listen on WJOX 100.5 in Birmingham.
Dec 6 vs Troy
UAB is also set to host in-state rival Troy at Bartow Arena on Sunday at 2 p.m. This is the 13th meeting between the two teams. UAB has lost only once, but the series has become more competitive in recent years with Troy winning a one-point game in 2018, and UAB winning by the same margin in 2019.
Troy split its opening games in Asheville, beating Western Carolina by two and taking a 23-point drubbing from UNC-Wilmington.
Zay Williams is the player to watch for the Trojans. The junior guard is a physical player that is averaging 11.5 points and 9.0 rebounds through the first two games.
To beat Troy, UAB needs to continue what it has done through the first two games: shoot well and force turnovers that lead to points.
Troy is a better team than the three UAB faced before it, but they still are not world beaters. Take UAB to win just do not expect a blowout.
The game will be available to stream on CUSA.tv and to listen on WJOX 100.5 in Birmingham.
Around the League
Western Kentucky is the team to beat in Conference USA, and they looked it last week. The Hilltoppers went 2-1 at the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic beating Northern Iowa and Memphis before falling short to a top 25 West Virginia team.
With Charles Bassey at center, this Western Kentucky team will prove to be a challenge for the Blazers come conference season. Their game against Louisville tonight will be a strong indicator of where the top of the league is.
