University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics

BIRMINGHAM – UAB men’s basketball will host Arkansas State on Sunday afternoon in a big non-conference test. Tipoff is set for 5pm CT at Bartow Arena.

As the first of the Blazers’ three Holiday Hoops games, the first 700 fans will receive UAB holiday ornaments. Blaze Claus will also be available for photos in the hall from

CLOCK
Sunday’s contest will be streamed live on ESPN+ with Curt Bloom and Mo Finley on the call.



LISTEN
David Crane and Steve Mitchell will call the game for UAB on 100.5 ESPN.



SERIES HISTORY
The all-time series between UAB and Arkansas State is tied 1-1. The Red Wolves won last year’s meeting by a score of 87-68 in Jonesboro.



LAST TIME OUT
The Blazers earned a 95-66 victory over Prairie View A&M last Friday before taking a week off for the finals. UAB shot 55.7 percent from the field and hit a season-high 10 threes. Tony Tony led the team with 15 points, his most against a DI school, while Yaxel Lendeborg had a double-double and Bull Moore added 14 points.



YAX IS BACK

Yaxel Lendeborg had a dominant debut season at UAB. The forward led the Blazers with 13.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.1 blocks per game, earning American Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors. Lendeborg set UAB and American Conference records with 370 rebounds in a single season and also recorded a program record 19 double-doubles. He finished the season with five games of 20+ points and 15+ rebounds, second only nationally to National Player of the Year Zach Edey. His 72 blocks rank as the seventh most in a single season in UAB history. Lendeborg is one of only seven players in the country to return after averaging a double-double in the 2023-24 season.



JUCO DAWGS
UAB has embraced the JUCO ranks below Andy Kennedy‘s time in Birmingham and the 2024-25 roster features seven players who have played at a Junior College, including Christian Coleman (South Plain), Greg Gordon (Dyersburg State), Marquis Hargrove (Arizona Western), Ja’Borri McGhee (Garden City/South Plains), Yaxel Lendeborg (Arizona Western), and Alejandro Vasquez (The Salt Lake). JUCO players accounted for 41.7% of the Blazers’ scoring last season and 48.4% of their rebounding. So far this season, JUCO players have accounted for 70.5% of the Blazers’ scoring and 63.5% of their rebounding.



CRASH THE BELTS
Last year, UAB finished 61st nationally in rebounds per game. match and grabbed 38.0 per competition. The Blazers excelled on the offensive glass, grabbing 12.9 offensive boards per game, which was 27th in the nation. This season, UAB is once again among the top rebounding teams in the nation, ranking 31st in the country in rebounds per game. competition with 41.1. UAB is especially strong on the offensive glass with 15.1 offensive boards per game, which is 10th in the nation. Yaxel Lendeborg led the team in rebounding last season with 10.6 per game. He has grabbed 15 or more rebounds in 12 games as a Blazer, including a 21-rebound game against Florida Atlantic that ranks second in program history.

BUY YOUR 2024-25 SEASON TICKETS
Season ticket for 2024-25 UAB Men’s Basketball Season are still available from as low as $110. Season packages will include all home games during UAB’s second season in the American Athletic Conference and provide the most cost-effective way to attend games at Bartow Arena. An overview of the on-sale timeline can be found here and fans can request more information here or by calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.

GROUP RATES AND FAN EXPERIENCE PACKAGES NOW AVAILABLE
Individuals and corporate groups can plan an unforgettable experience during any of UAB’s home events at Bartow Arena this season by completing the UAB Basketball Group Ticket Request Form. Fan experience packages and discounted group tickets are available with a minimum purchase of 15 tickets, and fan experiences at Bartow Arena are available at any home basketball game on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the season.

Group ticket packages allow your family, friends or company to save money on single-game ticket prices while providing access to memorable fan experiences at Bartow Arena. Discounted group pricing is available for both men’s and women’s basketball games, and pricing is based on the size of the pre-purchased group. This season, UAB Athletics is offering unique fan experiences for groups, including a spirit tunnel, sideline warm-up clock, center court group photo, post-game free throws and video board recognition, among others. Click here for a complete list of group pricing, group benefits and fan experience packages.

STREAM UP
UAB Athletics is excited to compete in the American Athletic Conference and needs Blazer Nation to strengthen by becoming a Blazer Boosters member in 2024. Join Blazer Boosters today as UAB student-athletes compete for championships, graduate with honors and make a difference in our society.

FOLLOW THE BLAZERS
For more information on the UAB men’s basketball team, follow @UAB_MBB on Twitter and Instagram.