UAB Blazers men's basketball


The UAB Blazers men's basketball team represents the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the NCAA Division I men's college basketball, and have competed in Conference USA since 1995.

History

The UAB Blazers started their athletics program with the creation of men's basketball in 1978. Setting high standards from the start, UAB was able to lure Gene Bartow away from his post as the head coach at UCLA to start the Blazer program. Known as the "Father of UAB athletics," Coach Bartow was able to guide the Blazers to early success by reaching the NCAA tournament in just their third season of existence. Since their inaugural season, the Blazers have made 15 appearances in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, and 12 appearances in the National Invitational Tournament. UAB has been productive in its NCAA tournament appearances, reaching the Elite Eight once, and the Sweet Sixteen 3 times. After 40 years of basketball, UAB has had 36 winning seasons, including 24 seasons with at least 20 wins. UAB's win percentage ranks 30th among NCAA Division I basketball programs with at least 40 seasons. UAB's basketball program has featured wins over many of basketball's most historic programs, including Kentucky, North Carolina, Indiana, Louisville, Kansas, Arizona, Michigan State, Virginia, Villanova, Connecticut and many others.

Conference affiliations

UAB Season-By-Season Records

Postseason Results

NCAA Tournament results

UAB has appeared in 15 NCAA Tournaments, with a combined record of 10–15.
1981First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		Western Kentucky
Kentucky
Indiana		W 93–68
W 69–62
L 72–87
1982Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		Indiana
Virginia
Louisville		W 80–70
W 68–66
L 68–75
1983First RoundOklahomaL 63–71
1984First RoundBYUL 68–84
1985First Round
Second Round		Michigan State
Memphis State		W 67–55
L 66–67 OT
1986First Round
Second Round		Missouri
North Carolina		W 66–64
L 59–77
1987First RoundProvidenceL 68–90
1990First RoundUCLAL 56–68
1994First RoundGeorge WashingtonL 46–51
1999First RoundIowaL 64–77
2004First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		Washington
Kentucky
Kansas		W 102–100
W 76–74
L 74–100
2005First Round
Second Round		LSU
Arizona		W 82–68
L 63–85
2006First RoundKentuckyL 64–69
2011First FourClemsonL 52–70
2015Second Round
Third Round		Iowa State
UCLA		W 60–59
L 75–92

NIT results

UAB has appeared in 12 National Invitation Tournament's, with a combined record of 14–12.
1980First RoundSouthwestern LouisianaL 74–72
1989First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Third Place Game		Georgia Southern
Richmond
Connecticut
St. John's
Michigan State		W 83–74
W 64–61
W 85–79
L 65–76
W 78–76
1991First RoundMemphis StateL 76–82
1992First RoundTennesseeL 68–71
1993First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Third Place Game		Alabama
Clemson
SW Missouri State
Georgetown
Providence		W 58–56
W 65–64
W 61–52
L 41–45
W 55–52
1997First RoundTCUL 62–85
1998First Round
Second Round		Missouri
Minnesota		W 93–86
L 66–79
2003First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals		Louisiana-Lafayette
Siena
St. John's		W 82–80
W 80–71
L 71–79
2008First Round
Second Round		VCU
Virginia Tech		W 80–77
L 49–75
2009First RoundNotre DameL 64–70
2010First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals		Coastal Carolina
NC State
North Carolina		W 65–49
W 72–52
L 55–60
2016First RoundBYUL 79–97

CBI Results

The Blazers have appeared in the College Basketball Invitational one time. Their record is 0–1
2019First RoundBrownL 78–83

Highest Seeds Beaten in NCAA Tournament

UAB Rivalry Games

Awards

Conference Coach of the Year

Conference Player of the Year

All--Conference Players Since 2012

Blazers of Note

Retired jerseys

UAB has retired four jerseys since its inception and they now hang from the rafters of Bartow Arena. This honor is bestowed only on players who earn AP All-America honors and who complete their degree at UAB.

In the NBA

UAB has seen numerous players move on to professional careers in the NBA. Some of UAB's highest NBA draft picks include:
Other former Blazers to play in the NBA are:
UAB initially played their home games at the BJCC Coliseum, but moved their home games to an on-campus facility starting with the 1988–89 season. Originally known as UAB Arena, the name was officially changed to Bartow Arena on January 25, 1997. The 8,508-seat arena is named after Coach Gene Bartow, the man who built UAB's men's basketball program from scratch starting in 1978.

General