WVU Basketball

5 Things to Know Before WVU vs. UAB

Published

1 year ago

December 10, 2022

West Virginia will host UAB in the second matchup of their home-and-home series on Saturday night in Morgantown. Let’s take a look at five things to know before the game.

Meet the Team: UAB

UAB is one of the best mid-major programs in the country currently. The Blazers made the NCAA Tournament last season and bring back a core that sets up to return to March Madness in 2023. UAB G Jordan “Jelly” Walker is the leading scorer in all Division-I basketball, averaging 25.7 points. Walker is shooting 46 percent from the field and 42 percent from three. The fifth-year senior guard shoots the ball a lot and shoots it efficiently. Walker attempts 10.3 three’s per game and has led this UAB squad to a top offense in the country.

UAB head coach Andy Kennedy has been very successful in the transfer portal during his young tenure in Birmingham. UAB top seven players that receive the most minutes were acquired through the portal at some point under Kennedy: Walker (Tulane), Eric Gaines (LSU), Ledarrius Brewer (ETSU), KJ Buffen (Ole Miss), Trey Jemison (Clemson), Javian Davis (Miss. St.), Tyron Brewer (ETSU.

Huggins vs. Kennedy

WVU head coach Bob Huggins is a long-time friend with Kennedy. Kennedy assisted under Huggins at Cincinnati from 2001-05. Last season, Huggins’ Mountaineers defeated UAB 65-59. Huggins was asked about coaching against his friend Kennedy once again.

“It’s actually kind of fun. Andy was terrific for us [at Cincinnati]. He’s got a great relationship with the players,” Huggins said.

Quad-2 Win Opportunity for WVU

Saturday’s matchup against UAB is a quad-2 game opportunity for West Virginia. WVU has two quad-2 wins currently against Pitt (81-56) and Florida (84-55).

West Virginia’s only two loss are quad-1 games. WVU’s current NET ranking is ninth in the country.