Busting Brackets
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Conference USA Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2019-20 season

By Andrew Dieckhoff

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 27: Head coach Rick Stansbury of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers reacts in the fourth quarter against the Utah Utes during their 2018 National Invitation Tournament Championship semifinals game at Madison Square Garden on March 27, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 27: Head coach Rick Stansbury of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers reacts in the fourth quarter against the Utah Utes during their 2018 National Invitation Tournament Championship semifinals game at Madison Square Garden on March 27, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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LOUISVILLE, KY – MARCH 21: The mascot of the UAB Blazers against the UCLA Bruins during the third round of the 2015 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 21, 2015 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – MARCH 21: The mascot of the UAB Blazers against the UCLA Bruins during the third round of the 2015 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 21, 2015 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

#6 — ALABAMA-BIRMINGHAM

2018-19 IN REVIEW

  • Record: 20-15 (10-8, T-6th in C-USA)
  • Rankings: #135 in NET, #147 in KenPom
  • Postseason: CBI First Round — Lost to Brown, 83-78

2019-20 AT A GLANCE

HEAD COACH

  • Rob Ehsan (4th year)
  • School W-L: 57-44 (.564)
  • Career W-L: 57-44 (.564)

PROJECTED STARTERS

  • Zack Bryant, G, Jr.— 33.4 MPG (27 starts), 14.9 PPG, 3.9 APG
  • Tavin Lovan, G, So. — 20.7 MPG (8 starts), 7.1 PPG, 3.9 RPG
  • Rashawn Fredericks, F, Gr. — 2.3 PPG, 2.2 RPG in ’18-19 at Cincinnati
  • Makhtar Gueye, F/C, Jr. — 26.9 MPG (28 starts), 8.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG
  • Will Butler, F/C, Sr. — 22.0 MPG (6 starts), 6.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG

NON-CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

https://twitter.com/UAB_MBB/status/1153759994912940032?s=20

2019-20 SEASON OUTLOOK

The Blazers were one of six C-USA teams to play past the league tournament in 2018-19, marking the first postseason appearance of head coach Rob Ehsan’s career. While UAB will be without three starters from last year, the team’s best player — and All C-USA third-teamer Zack Bryant — is back, along with Senegalese big man Makhtar Gueye. Ehsan may look to some returning players to fill out his starting lineup, but he also brought in an interesting piece in Rashawn Fredericks on a grad transfer from Cincinnati.

Fredericks, a 6’6″ forward, didn’t have much impact for the Bearcats last season, but he was a JUCO All-American after averaging 17.7 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 1.7 SPG, and 1.5 BPG. Taking the step down from the American to C-USA could be just what Fredericks needs to regain his old form.

Last year checked a lot of boxes for UAB: 20 wins, top-half Conference USA finish, C-USA Tournament semifinal appearance, and a trip to the CBI. But though those numbers are certainly promising, Bryant and the rest of the Blazers will be aiming a bit higher this season. One key to their success is how the frontcourt shapes up. Gueye needs to take a step forward, and if the big man wants to continue to sling the deep ball (66 3PA in ’18-19), he needs to become more accurate (25.8%). Will Butler was in the midst of a nice freshman season before an injury-shortened his year. He will be a key piece this season to replace Sullivan’s presence down low. But the play of Zack Bryant will really be the bellwether for UAB’s season.

Another 20-win season with a lower-tier postseason tournament seems very attainable for this UAB squad. If their star senior can turn in a first-team performance, and the frontcourt lives up to its potential, the Blazers have a chance to be a dark horse in Conference USA. Otherwise, the team could quickly fall behind other C-USA programs with higher ceilings.