Morehead State: NIT Second Round

On the Road at UAB

(Des Moines, IA) – Morehead State’s historic season continues in Alabama. The NIT second round opponent Alabama-Birmingham (26-9) dominated Southern Mississippi (88-60) in its first round game. The Eagles, 68-64 winners over Clemson, play UAB Sunday at 2 pm.

This is Morehead State’s (22-11) first appearance in the National Invitation Tournament and the Ohio Valley Conference regular season champions have won twelve of their last 14 games.

High scoring UAB brings a style challenge to the Eagles as Blazers are fast-paced offensive team that plays pressure defense. While the Eagles play a slower pace (70.2 points per game), UAB scores over 81. MSU holds opponents to 66 points per game and the Blazers yield 70.5.

UAB head coach Andy Kennedy has put together a roster of transfers that challenged for the Conference USA title, finishing third at 14-6. The Blazers played in last season’s NCAA Tournament.

Jordan Walker (23.2 ppg) leads the Blazers in scoring while LSU transfer Eric Gaines (11.6) hands out 4.5 assists and has accumulated 67 steals. K.J. Buffen (Mississippi) and Trey Jemison (Clemson) are big contributors. Jemison is a 6’11 shot blocker (64) and rebounder (8.2 per game). Former SEMO star LaDarius Brewer contributes off Kennedy’s bench

During UAB’s NIT win, Buffen scored 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and Walker contributed 16.

Morehead’s dramatic win over Clemson saw Alex Gross and Mark Freeman take over at crunch time. With 3:42 left the Eagles had a slim 3-point lead at 58-55. During those last moments, Gross scored six points and Freeman four and added an assist on one of Gross’ buckets.

(Go hear for our pre-NIT conversation with Preston Spradlin)

With one more win the Eagles would make it three straight seasons with 23 victories. Preston Spradlin’s team wants to advance beyond the NIT second round.

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