UAB, Samford men’s basketball announce three-game cross-town series

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Samford and UAB men’s basketball have announced a three-game cross-town series that will see the two teams play each other for the first time in over a decade.

The Blazers and Bulldogs announced Wednesday that the two teams will begin the three-game series in the 2026-2027 season at UAB’s Bartow Arena before playing the next game at Samford’s Pete Hanna Center in the 2027-2028 season, and then return to Bartow Arena for the third and final game of the series in the 2028-2029 season.

The two teams last met during the 2009-2010 season when UAB defeated the Bulldogs 55-52. UAB holds a 4-0 all-time record in the series.

Samford will begin their 2025-2026 campaign under first year head coach Lennie Acuff who takes over for Bucky McMillian after he left for the head job at Texas A&M.

Acuff comes to the Bulldogs after leading Lipscomb to the NCAA tournament last season. He and the Bulldogs will begin their season this Friday at home against South Carolina State. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. inside the Pete Hanna Center.

UAB is coming off of four straight postseason appearances (NCAA Tournament - 2022, 2024, NIT - 2023, 2025) and are looking to get to postseason play again this year. The Blazers began their season earlier this week defeating Mississippi Valley State 106-55. Andy Kennedy and his team will be back on the floor this Friday, Nov. 7, on the road at North Carolina State. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.

Game dates and times for the three-game series between the two schools will be announced at a later date.

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