Feb. 15, 2004

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- The UAB men's basketball team is preparing for one of its biggest games in recent memory when the Blazers face the nationally-ranked Cincinnati Bearcats on Wednesday, at 7:30 p.m. in Bartow Arena. Both teams enter the game at 8-2 tied for second place in Conference USA, a half game behind C-USA leader Memphis (9-2).

UAB (15-6) is off to its best start in school history in C-USA after defeating East Carolina, 72-69, last Saturday. The last time the Blazers began a season 15-6 was in 1998-99, also the last year they went to the NCAA Tournament.

The first 5,000 fans through the doors will be given 25th Anniversary "Rally Rags" as the Blazers will attempt to sell out Bartow Arena for the first time since Feb. 5, 2000 when Cincinnati defeated UAB, 93-80, in front of a sell-out crowd of 9,279 fans.

Cincinnati will be the first ranked team to come into Bartow Arena this season.

The game, which will be televised on CSS, can be heard locally on WYDE 101.1 FM with the pregame show beginning at 7 p.m. CST. It can also be followed live through Gametracker on the internet by accessing www.uabsports.com.

Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling the UAB ticket office at 975-UAB1.