COLUMBUS, Ohio ----- The UAB basketball team will look for a repeat of history when it takes on the top-seeded Kentucky Wildcats here Sunday in the second round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament.

It's been 23 years since the Blazers knocked off Kentucky in the second round of the NCAA Tournament's Mideast Regional. The 69-62 victory over the Wildcats in Tuscaloosa, Ala. is regarded by many as the first "marquee" win in the history of the UAB program.

This is only the third meeting between the schools in men's basketball, both taking place during that 1980-81 season. Kentucky won earlier in the season on its homecourt.

Sunday's contest in Nationwide Arena against Tubby Smith's squad will be equally as challenging. Kentucky enters the game with a 27-4 record and winners of its last 10 games. The Wildcats advanced to Sunday's game with a 96-76 first round win Friday over Florida A&M.

UAB (21-9), the ninth seed in the regional, moved into Sunday's second round with an exhilarating 102-100 victory over Washington, a game that lasted nearly two hours and 45 minutes and went well past the midnight hour.

UAB coach Mike Anderson said Saturday he expects both teams' defenses to come to play when his team goes up against Kentucky.

"I think you're going to see two teams get out their defense," said Anderson, I really do. I think if the opportunity presents itself where we can shoot the basketball like we did and they shoot the ball like they did, then you're going to see some big numbers. I think that getting that first game under your belt, then you start getting your rhythm and hopefully, we'll be in better rhythm. Kentucky is a very, very good basketball team."

UAB and Kentucky will play the second game of the day at Nationwide Arena. Cincinnati and Illinois will tip off at 2:30 p.m. EST with the Blazers and Wildcats scheduled for 30 minutes following the conclusion of that contest.