https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basket...-24-season
UAB & Opponents...
.No. 20. Florida Atlantic Owls: Who saw last year coming in Boca Raton? FAU had a once-in-a-lifetime season, winning 35 games and reaching a Final Four, then Dusty May brought almost everyone back to make another run. Extraordinary. May is a former manager for Bob Knight, and he has built a culture of togetherness and selfless service with his program. In fact, two of his best players agreed to come off of the bench last season, providing a "we first" culture instead of "me first." Expect that to continue this year, but expectations can do funny things to a team. FAU will take some losses, which was allowed in past seasons. Will it be allowed this year, and will the players take a loss in stride? Every team will be coming at them, and they will take every opponent's best shot. That is an awesome responsibility.
No. 41 Memphis Tigers: Memphis was on the wrong end of a dramatic finish in the first round loss to FAU in March, but Penny Hardaway has reloaded by hitting the portal. Jahvon Quinerly (Alabama) will run the point, and there is versatility and length to put pressure on opponents at both ends of the court.
No. 64 UAB Blazers: UAB got hot at the right time last season, battling all the way to the NIT title game. The Blazers eventually lost to North Texas, a team they beat in the Conference USA tournament championship, but will hope to build on that momentum this season. Eric Gaines will be the key factor for UAB after scoring 11.5 points and 4.3 assists last season.
No. 65 Drake Bulldogs: Coming off a 27-win season featuring a Missouri Valley Conference tournament title, the Bulldogs look to replace three key contributors due to graduation. Drake is the regular-season conference favorite this season, however, thanks to junior guard Tucker DeVries, who was named preseason Missouri Valley Player of the Year.