2018–19 UAB Blazers men's basketball | |
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CBI, First Round | |
Conference | Conference USA |
Record | 20–15 (10–8 C-USA) |
Head coach |
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Assistant coaches |
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Home arena | Bartow Arena |
Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | W | L | PCT | W | L | PCT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Old Dominion † | 13 | – | 5 | .722 | 26 | – | 9 | .743 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Western Kentucky | 11 | – | 7 | .611 | 20 | – | 14 | .588 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Southern Miss | 11 | – | 7 | .611 | 20 | – | 13 | .606 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UTSA | 11 | – | 7 | .611 | 17 | – | 15 | .531 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UAB | 10 | – | 8 | .556 | 20 | – | 15 | .571 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Marshall | 11 | – | 7 | .611 | 23 | – | 14 | .622 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FIU | 10 | – | 8 | .556 | 20 | – | 13 | .606 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Louisiana Tech | 9 | – | 9 | .500 | 20 | – | 13 | .606 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Florida Atlantic | 8 | – | 10 | .444 | 17 | – | 16 | .515 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
North Texas | 8 | – | 10 | .444 | 21 | – | 12 | .636 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rice | 8 | – | 10 | .444 | 13 | – | 19 | .406 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Middle Tennessee | 8 | – | 10 | .444 | 11 | – | 21 | .344 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Charlotte | 5 | – | 13 | .278 | 8 | – | 21 | .276 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UTEP | 3 | – | 15 | .167 | 8 | – | 21 | .276 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
† 2019 C-USA Tournament winner |
The 2018–19 UAB Blazers basketball team represented the University of Alabama at Birmingham during the 2018–19 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Blazers, led by third-year head coach Robert Ehsan, played their home games at the Bartow Arena as members of Conference USA. They finished the season 20-15, 10-8 in C-USA Play to finish in 5th place. They defeated Middle Tennessee and UTSA to advance to the semifinals of the C-USA tournament where they lost to Old Dominion. They received an at-large bid to the College Basketball Invitational where they lost in the first round to Brown.
Previous season
The Blazers finished the 2017–18 season 20–13, 10–8 C-USA play to finish in sixth place. They defeated Florida Atlantic in the first round of the C-USA tournament before losing to Western Kentucky. Despite winning 20 games, they did not participate in a postseason tournament.
Offseason
Departures
Name | Number | Pos. | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown | Reason for departure |
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Nick Norton | 2 | G | 5'10" | 166 | Senior | Bloomington, IL | Graduate transferred to Drake |
Chris Cokley | 3 | F | 6'8" | 238 | Senior | Savannah, GA | Graduated |
Deion Lavender | 5 | G | 6'4" | 190 | RS Junior | Alton, IL | Graduate transferred to Valparaiso |
Hunter Reynolds | 12 | G | 6'0" | 161 | Freshman | Knoxville, TN | Walk-on; left the team due to personal reasons |
Nate Darling | 13 | G | 6'5" | 190 | Sophomore | Halifax, NS | Transferred to Delaware |
Thomas Smallwood | 33 | F | 7'0" | 243 | Junior | Bordeaux, France | Graduate transferred to Chattanooga |
William Lee | 34 | F | 6'9" | 206 | Senior | Plantersville, AL | Graduated |
Incoming transfers
Name | Number | Pos. | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown | Previous School |
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Tyreek Scott-Grayson | 0 | G | 6'5" | Sophomore | Severn, MD | Junior college transferred from State Fair CC | |
Jeremiah Bell | 2 | G | 6'0" | 171 | Senior | Louisville, KY | Transferred from Milwaukee. Under NCAA transfer rules, Bell will have to sit out for the 2018–19 season. Will have one year of remaining eligibility. |
Willesley Butler | 12 | F/C | 6'8" | 230 | Junior | Troy, NY | Junior college transferred from Pensacola State College |
Will Bathurst | 25 | G | 6'3" | 188 | RS Senior | Olean, NY | Transferred from Cornell. Will be eligible to play immediately since Bathurst graduated from Cornell. |
Nolan Bertain | 32 | G | 6'4" | 185 | Sophomore | Portland, OR | Junior college transferred from Casper College |
Incoming recruits
Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
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Jude Akabueze #24 C |
Farmington, WV | North Marion High School | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) | 208 lb (94 kg) | Nov 19, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 80 | ||||||
Tamel Pearson #31 C |
Chicago, IL | Morgan Park High School | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) | N/A | Sep 4, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 80 | ||||||
Tavin Lovan SG |
Franklin, KY | Hargrave Military Academy | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 186 lb (84 kg) | Apr 6, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN grade: NR | ||||||
Overall recruiting rankings: | ||||||
Sources:
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Recruiting class of 2019
US college sports recruiting information for 2019 recruits | ||||||
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Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
Jahein Spencer SG |
Napoleonville, LA | Assumption High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | Aug 3, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: NR | ||||||
Jalen Benjamin PG |
Norcross, GA | Meadowcreek High School | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 135 lb (61 kg) | Aug 28, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: NR | ||||||
Overall recruiting rankings: | ||||||
Sources:
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Roster
2018–19 UAB Blazers men's basketball team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Schedule and results
Date time, TV |
Rank# | Opponent# | Result | Record | Site (attendance) city, state | ||||||
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Exhibition | |||||||||||
Oct 18, 2018* 7:00 pm |
Georgia Charity Exhibition Game |
L 54–56 | Bartow Arena (3,437) Birmingham, AL | ||||||||
Nov 1, 2018* 7:00 pm |
Morehouse | W 75–54 | Bartow Arena (2,828) Birmingham, AL | ||||||||
Non-conference regular season | |||||||||||
Nov 6, 2018* 7:00 pm, CUSA.TV |
Mercer | W 75–67 | 1–0 |
Bartow Arena (3,185) Birmingham, AL | |||||||
Nov 14, 2018* 7:00 pm, CUSA.TV |
New Orleans | W 75–68 | 2–0 |
Bartow Arena (2,874) Birmingham, AL | |||||||
Nov 18, 2018* 4:00 pm, CUSA.TV |
West Alabama AdvoCare Invitational non-bracket game |
W 77–47 | 3–0 |
Bartow Arena (2,602) Birmingham, AL | |||||||
Nov 22, 2018* 8:30 pm, ESPN2 |
vs. No. 14 Florida State AdvoCare Invitational quarterfinals |
L 63–81 | 3–1 |
HP Field House (2,226) Lake Buena Vista, FL | |||||||
Nov 23, 2018* 6:00 pm, ESPN3 |
vs. College of Charleston AdvoCare Invitational consolation semifinals |
L 51–74 | 3–2 |
HP Field House (2,185) Lake Buena Vista, FL | |||||||
Nov 25, 2018* 9:30 am, ESPNU |
vs. Canisius AdvoCare Invitational |
W 68–58 | 4–2 |
HP Field House (3,127) Lake Buena Vista, FL | |||||||
Nov 29, 2018* 7:00 pm |
at Alabama A&M | W 67–57 | 5–2 |
Elmore Gymnasium (2,109) Huntsville, AL | |||||||
Dec 4, 2018* 7:00 pm |
North Alabama | W 73–67 | 6–2 |
Bartow Arena (3,222) Birmingham, AL | |||||||
Dec 8, 2018* 12:00 pm, ESPN3 |
at Memphis | L 76–94 | 6–3 |
FedEx Forum (14,652) Memphis, TN | |||||||
Dec 15, 2018* 6:30 pm, CBSSN |
vs. No. 8 Auburn Rivalry/Mike Slive Invitational |
L 71–75 OT | 6–4 |
Legacy Arena (15,856) Birmingham, AL | |||||||
Dec 18, 2018* 3:30 pm |
Alcorn State | W 76–49 | 7–4 |
Bartow Arena (2,299) Birmingham, AL | |||||||
Dec 21, 2018* 7:00 pm |
Troy | L 73–74 | 7–5 |
Bartow Arena (3,212) Birmingham, AL | |||||||
Dec 29, 2018* 7:00 pm |
Arkansas–Monticello | W 75–67 | 8–5 |
Bartow Arena (2,629) Birmingham, AL | |||||||
Conference USA regular season | |||||||||||
Jan 3, 2019 7:00 pm, ESPN+ |
Florida Atlantic | W 67–50 | 9–5 (1–0) |
Bartow Arena (2,667) Birmingham, AL | |||||||
Jan 5, 2019 7:00 pm, ESPN+ |
FIU | W 84–65 | 10–5 (2–0) |
Bartow Arena (2,878) Birmingham, AL | |||||||
Jan 10, 2019 6:30 pm, beIN |
at Louisiana Tech | L 53–64 | 10–6 (2–1) |
Thomas Assembly Center (3,081) Ruston, LA | |||||||
Jan 12, 2019 4:00 pm, ESPN+ |
at Southern Miss | L 68–73 | 10–7 (2–2) |
Reed Green Coliseum (2,886) Hattiesburg, MS | |||||||
Jan 17, 2019 7:00 pm |
UTEP | W 76–63 | 11–7 (3–2) |
Bartow Arena (2,927) Birmingham, AL | |||||||
Jan 19, 2019 7:00 pm, ESPN+ |
UTSA | W 83–73 | 12–7 (4–2) |
Bartow Arena (3,256) Birmingham, AL | |||||||
Jan 24, 2019 7:00 pm, beIN |
at North Texas | W 52–49 | 13–7 (5–2) |
The Super Pit (4,368) Denton, TX | |||||||
Jan 26, 2019 7:00 pm, ESPN+ |
at Rice | W 89–86 | 14–7 (6–2) |
Tudor Fieldhouse (1,731) Houston, TX | |||||||
Jan 30, 2019 6:30 pm, ESPN+ |
at Middle Tennessee | L 65–71 | 14–8 (6–3) |
Murphy Center (3,963) Murfreesboro, TN | |||||||
Feb 2, 2019 7:00 pm, ESPN+ |
Middle Tennessee | L 78–79 | 14–9 (6–4) |
Bartow Arena (4,075) Birmingham, AL | |||||||
Feb 7, 2019 7:00 pm, ESPN+ |
Old Dominion | L 59–70 | 14–10 (6–5) |
Bartow Arena (3,276) Birmingham, AL | |||||||
Feb 9, 2019 7:00 pm, ESPN+ |
Charlotte | L 62–69 | 14–11 (6–6) |
Bartow Arena (3,601) Birmingham, AL | |||||||
Feb 14, 2019 7:00 pm, CBSSN |
at Marshall | W 77–68 | 15–11 (7–6) |
Cam Henderson Center (5,521) Morgantown, WV | |||||||
Feb 16, 2019 1:00 pm, Stadium/Facebook |
at Western Kentucky | W 68–60 | 16–11 (8–6) |
E. A. Diddle Arena (6,839) Bowling Green, KY | |||||||
Feb 23, 2019 2:00 pm, Stadium |
at Southern Miss | W 76–72 OT | 17–11 (9–6) |
Reed Green Coliseum (4,456) Hattiesburg, MS | |||||||
Feb 28, 2019 6:30 p.m., beIN |
Western Kentucky | L 67–73 | 17–12 (9–7) |
Bartow Arena (3,021) Birmingham, Al | |||||||
Mar 3, 2019 2:00 pm |
at UTSA | L 70–76 | 17–13 (9–8) |
Convocation Center (1,259) San Antonio, TX | |||||||
Mar 9, 2019 2:00 pm |
Old Dominion | W 64–50 | 18–13 (10–8) |
Bartow Arena (2,868) Birmingham, Al | |||||||
Conference USA tournament | |||||||||||
Mar 13, 2019 6:30 pm, ESPN+ |
(5) | vs. (12) Middle Tennessee First Round |
W 70–61 | 19–13 |
Ford Center at The Star (2,704) Frisco, TX | ||||||
Mar 14, 2019 6:30 pm, Stadium |
(5) | vs. (4) UTSA Quarterfinals |
W 85–76 | 20–13 |
Ford Center at The Star Frisco, TX | ||||||
Mar 15, 2019 12:30 pm, CBSSN |
(5) | vs. (1) Old Dominion Semifinals |
L 59–61 | 20–14 |
Ford Center at The Star Frisco, TX | ||||||
College Basketball Invitational | |||||||||||
Mar 20, 2019* 6:00 pm, ESPN+ |
at Brown First round |
L 78–83 | 20–15 |
Pizzitola Sports Center (683) Providence, RI | |||||||
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses. All times are in Central Time. |
Source[1]