Preview: UAB Men’s Basketball vs. North Texas Matchup
The UAB Blazers will face off against the North Texas Mean Green on Saturday, January 31, at 7:00 p.m. CT in Denton, Texas, at the Super Pit. Both teams come into this game with a record of 4-4 in the American Conference, making this matchup critical for their standings in the league.
Previous Performances
In their last outing, UAB secured a victory against UTSA, winning 83-73. This improved their overall record to 13-8. The Blazers have showcased a strong road performance, holding an undefeated record of 4-0 in such games.
North Texas, on the other hand, suffered a setback in their most recent game, falling to Tulsa by a score of 82-66. This loss pushed the Mean Green to a 12-9 record, placing them in a precarious position for the upcoming conference tournament.
Series History
The historical matchup favors UAB, who leads the series against North Texas 12-9. The two teams have competed in 17 games as conference opponents. UAB first triumphed in the series with a 79-73 win and has maintained a competitive edge. Notably, the last 10 meetings between these teams have resulted in a balanced split of five wins each.
Key Player Insights
- KyeRon Lindsay-Martin: A Texas native from Denton, he attended high school just a short distance from North Texas.
- Evan Chatman: Another key player, he hails from Harker Heights, about 179 miles from Denton.
- Daniel Rivera: Recently surpassed 1,000 career points and tied his season high with seven field goals in a single game.
- Ahmad Robinson: Leads the team with 1,267 career points.
Statistical Highlights
UAB excels in multiple statistical categories within the conference:
- Ranked 1st in assist-to-turnover ratio
- 1st in fast break points
- 1st in defensive rebounds per game
- 6th nationally for fewest turnovers per game at 8.4
- 20th in the nation for fast break points per game at 16.00
Conversely, North Texas also presents challenges, ranking 18th nationally in steals with an average of 9.4 per game, as well as leading the conference in forced turnovers, averaging 15.57 each game.
Coaching Milestones
UAB’s head coach, Andy Kennedy, holds an 8-5 record against North Texas and has demonstrated consistent success over his tenure, winning over 12 conference games in the last two seasons. He holds an impressive overall American Conference record of 29-15 in his third season.
Conclusion
This matchup is pivotal for both teams as they seek to solidify their positioning in the American Conference. With UAB’s strong statistical edge and North Texas’s resilience, the game promises to be an exciting contest.
For continuous updates on UAB men’s basketball, follow the team on X and Instagram through @UAB_MBB.
