The Mustangs play their first of back-to-back road games on Saturday when they play the University of Alabama-Birmingham at 2 p.m. SMU (7-15, 1-8) is 1-3 against the Blazers (16-8, 6-3) since joining Conference USA in 2006, with its last win against UAB coming on Jan. 31, 2007.

Road games have been a weak point for SMU this season, as the Mustangs lost their eight road games by an average of 13 points (12.25 points in four conference road games). Conversely, the Blazers have not lost at home since a dramatic one-point loss to Memphis on Feb. 16, 2008.

“We’re getting better as a team and we’re getting better as a program,” said head coach Matt Doherty. “Its tough when you invest and you lose, but our guys keep investing.”

Three players average double digits for UAB, with senior Robert Vaden leading the way at 18.3 points-per-game. While the Blazers are not the highest scoring team in the conference, they have the highest field goal percentage at 46.7%. Unlike Houston, who seemed to rely heavily on players getting to the free throw line, UAB creates most of its points in the field. In Conference USA, only SMU has shot less foul shots this season than the Blazers.

The Mustangs will look to improve their offense on the road, as the Mustangs averaged just under 52 points-per-game in conference road play. In contrast, the Mustangs have averaged 71.1 in home games, and just over 74 points in their seven wins.