The unofficial online home for fans of the UAB Blazers. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

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73. UAB

Andy Kennedy had quite the debut season as UAB coach, guiding the Blazers to 22 wins and a runner-up finish in the West division of Conference USA. Kennedy’s no stranger to winning, of course, after nine 20-win seasons at Mississippi. Odds are good he’s got another one in him at UAB, with the team’s top-three scorers returning and point guard Jordan Walker transferring in from Tulane at a position of real need.

Can’t wait! I love UAB basketball.

UAB is #73 of the TOP 100. What is the total number of programs on the whole list? (TOP 100 of how many?)

(10-10-2021 07:41 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  UAB is #73 of the TOP 100. What is the total number of programs on the whole list? (TOP 100 of how many?)

357

Haven’t been this excited for MBB in a long time. Excited to see what Andy does this year.

People need to put their money where their mouth is and show up to games.

Kennedy needs to do his job and have us in contention for an at large as well. It’s a hard sell for people to come out knowing there will only be a couple games in Frisco that mean anything.

(10-11-2021 11:36 AM)blazers9911 Wrote:  Kennedy needs to do his job and have us in contention for an at large as well. It’s a hard sell for people to come out knowing there will only be a couple games in Frisco that mean anything.

Not sure if you've checked out the OOC schedule or not but this is clearly the case. I'm ecstatic that he got 2 quality opponents to come to Bartow this year (would have been 3 if ETSU hadn't fallen apart), and the away/neutral lineup has resume builders that should all be winnable. My only concern at this point is whether or not AK can get the team to gel early on. Other coaches that go to route of high roster turnover via transfer or 1-and-done recruiting (Coach Cal, Will Wade, Richie Riley, etc.) usually don't do well until conference play, but obviously the at-large bid potential will rely heavily on the OOC performance.

(10-10-2021 07:41 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  UAB is #73 of the TOP 100. What is the total number of programs on the whole list? (TOP 100 of how many?)

This is a very loose comparison but being top-100 I'd say is the same realm as being ranked in football. Being top-25 in football means you're thought of as a team in the top 19% of all 130 FBS programs. Being top-100 in basketball means you're in the top 28% of all D1 programs. Again, a loose comparison, but being top-100 is a big deal - and somehow also the minimum that UAB should strive for.

I have really high hopes for basketball this year. HCAK showed he is the real deal coaching wise, we brought in a ton of talent and high-level experience, and we return pretty much all of our really key players.

I think we will be in contention for an at large. Injuries or anything weird happening aside, this should be a tournament team and the favorite to win the conference.

I Plan to be at a few games this year.

(10-11-2021 12:53 PM)Auburn_Blazer Wrote:  

(10-11-2021 11:36 AM)blazers9911 Wrote:  Kennedy needs to do his job and have us in contention for an at large as well. It’s a hard sell for people to come out knowing there will only be a couple games in Frisco that mean anything.

Not sure if you've checked out the OOC schedule or not but this is clearly the case. I'm ecstatic that he got 2 quality opponents to come to Bartow this year (would have been 3 if ETSU hadn't fallen apart), and the away/neutral lineup has resume builders that should all be winnable. My only concern at this point is whether or not AK can get the team to gel early on. Other coaches that go to route of high roster turnover via transfer or 1-and-done recruiting (Coach Cal, Will Wade, Richie Riley, etc.) usually don't do well until conference play, but obviously the at-large bid potential will rely heavily on the OOC performance.

I have, and I’m aware of what Kennedy expects. Now the team and staff must act on its potential.

As far as injuries go, Jemison is the one dude I think we can’t lose. I think we finally have good depth everywhere else, and can sustain a short term injury without missing a beat.

First time we’ve got season tickets in 15 years or so.

On paper this is better than any team we've had since Mike Davis - yes I know his teams did not live up to their talent on paper.