UAB to Play Georgia in 2018 Hoops Season Tipoff Event

Bartow Arena

BIRMINGHAM - The UAB men's basketball team and the University of Georgia have agreed to play a season-opening charity exhibition game on Thursday, October 18, at 7 p.m. CST in Bartow Arena as part of the 2018 Hoops Season Tipoff Event, UAB head coach Robert Ehsan and Georgia head coach Tom Crean have announced.

As part of the basketball celebration, which is put on annually by UAB Athletics as part of Homecoming Week, fans will have the chance to witness history as the UAB women's basketball team celebrates its record-setting 2017-18 season by raising its first C-USA Championship banner in program history during a special halftime ceremony.

Proceeds from the tipoff even will be donated to the American Red Cross in support of disaster relief efforts for the wildfires and high winds sweeping across California.

"We are very excited to be able to play a quality opponent like Georgia in Bartow Arena," Ehsan said. "I want to thank Coach Crean for his willingness to travel to Birmingham and play us to open the year. We could not be happier to be able to play this charity game for a great cause such as the American Red Cross. From a basketball standpoint, this type of game is what will help us achieve our goal of winning a championship, so I'm glad we were able to make it happen."

October's contest will serve as the Blazers' first exhibition of the 2018-19 season ahead of their final tune-up game against Morehouse College on November 1. It will be the first time since the 2011-12 season that UAB has played two exhibition games to open a season.

UAB and Georgia have squared off on the hardwood four times in regular season play, with Georgia leading the all-time series, 3-1. The most recent meeting came on Dec. 3, 2010, when the Bulldogs held off the Blazers' second-half comeback to escape with a 66-64 victory in Athens.

Conference USA All-Freshman Team member Zack Bryant headlines five returners to the squad. Bryant started in all 33 games for the Green and Gold, averaging the second-most points on the team at 13.6, while bringing in 3.2 boards per game and dishing out 3.1 assists per game.

Seniors Jalen Perry and Lewis Sullivan return 7.5 points per game and 7.2 points per game, respectively, while sophomore Makhtar Geuye also saw minutes during the 2017-18 season, averaging 2.2 points per game. Anderson McCoy and Luis Hurtado will look to compete for playing time this year after redshirting last season, while the Blazers welcome in eight newcomers who look to make an immediate impact on the team.

The UAB women's basketball team will be introduced and recognized for their historic season which saw them claim the program's first Conference USA Championship. On top of a school-record 27 wins, the Blazers broke six program records and moved into the top-10 in multiple categories, including 3-point field goal percentage (37.6%) and assist/turnover ratio (1.4).

"Our team really enjoys being part of the hoops event to tipoff the season," head coach Randy Norton said. "It has always been unique and one of the best events in the country. It's a great opportunity to meet and greet the women's basketball and men's basketball teams. This year will be a first for all of us, though, as we celebrate our accomplishments from last season and raise our first championship banner. I speak for everyone in our program when I say that we are all extremely excited for this moment."

The women's team heads into the 2018-19 season returning its top-five scorers from last season, led by All-Conference USA performers Deanna Kuzmanic, Rachael Childress and Miyah Barnes.

Tickets for the game will be $10, while groups of 20 or more can buy tickets for $5 on a pre-ordered basis. All game tickets will be available for purchase on Wednesday, September 12 at uabsports.com or by calling the UAB Athletics ticket office at 205-975-UAB1.

Individual season tickets for the 2018-19 UAB men's basketball campaign are on sale now and start as low as $105 in Blaze's Corner. New this upcoming season is the Family Four Pack which includes four season tickets for a total cost of $400. For more information, call the UAB Athletics ticket office at 205-975-UAB1.

Women's basketball season tickets are available by purchasing the 2018-19 Gold Card. A Gold Card is $65 and includes access to all home women's soccer, men's soccer, volleyball, baseball and softball games in addition to women's basketball contests. Contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1, or click here for more details.

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