UAB basketball player Ty Brewer rose to the occasion with a career-high 30 points, leading the Blazers to a historic victory against Utah Valley in the NIT semifinals. Brewer’s performance was one of the greatest moments in UAB basketball history, as they advanced to the NIT Championship game for the first time in program history.
UAB’s Rise as a Program
Despite missing out on March Madness this season, UAB’s success in making it to the NIT Championship game is a testament to their rise as a program. With coach Andy Kennedy at the helm, UAB aims to bring the program back to the standard established by Gene Bartow.
Conference USA Teams Shining in Postseason
UAB’s success in the NIT mirrors that of fellow Conference USA teams North Texas, FAU, and Charlotte, all of whom have had successful postseason runs. Their achievements show that Conference USA was underrated by the NCAA Tournament selection committee.
Changes Coming for Conference USA Teams
Changes are coming for these Conference USA teams as they move up to the American Athletic Conference next season. This shift will give them more opportunities to compete against top programs and make a name for themselves on a bigger stage.
UAB Defeats Utah Valley in NIT Semifinal
In their matchup against Utah Valley, UAB got off to a strong start, taking an early lead. But Utah Valley fought back and even led at times during the second half, forcing overtime. Ultimately it was Ty Brewer who proved too much for Utah Valley as he supplied 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 steals, leading his team to an 88-86 victory.
Las Vegas Selected as Host City for 2023 NIT Semifinals and Championship
In other NIT news, Las Vegas has been selected to host the 2023 semifinals and championship. This will mark the first time that Las Vegas will host the NIT since 1976. The NIT has been played every year (except for 2020) since its inception in 1938 and Indianapolis is set to host the same tournament in 2024.
The top 16 teams for the 2023 NIT were released on March 12th, with Wisconsin and UAB set to face off in Thursday’s semifinals. The schedule for the games includes the semifinals and finals at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, March 30th.
Overall, UAB’s success in the NIT is a sign of their rise as a program and a testament to the hard work put in by Coach Kennedy and his team. With Ty Brewer leading the way, UAB has a chance to make history with a win in the NIT Championship game.
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