VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State men's basketball team hits the road to take on Alabama Huntsville on Thursday, Jan. 11 at 8:30 p.m. ET before traveling to Livingston, Ala. to face West Alabama on Saturday, Jan. 13 at 5 p.m. ET.
 
The Blazers are coming off a three game homestand, where Valdosta State went 1-2. They defeated West Florida on Tuesday, Jan. 2 by the score of 82-73. The fell to Auburn Montgomery on Saturday, Jan. 6 88-76 before dropping the last game at home to Montevallo on Monday, Jan. 8 by seven, 94-87. During the homestand, junior Caden Boser led the Blazer's in scoring, averaging 17.3 points and made a combined 10 three pointers in those games, including making a career-high seven on Monday night in the loss to Montevallo. As a team, VSU lived at the line in all three games, attempting a total of 94 across the three games, making 67 for a .713 clip.
 
For the season, the Blazers are 6-8 overall and 3-7 in conference play. They are averaging 79.1 points per game on .451 from the floor, .345 from three, and .653 from the charity stripe. Valdosta State is averaging 37.4 rebounds a contest, which is good for third in the GSC. During conference play, opponents are averaging 81.9 points a night on .465 from the field, .365 from beyond the arc, and .741 from the line.
 
On Thursday night, Valdosta State will be up against Alabama Huntsville. The Chargers are entering this matchup with the Blazers holding a 10-4 overall record and are ranked 22^nd in the country according to most recent D2CSC National Media Poll. UAH is led by head coach John Shulman. He is entering his fifth year at helm of the program, holding a strong record of 101-32. Before taking over at Alabama Huntsville, Shulman was the head coach at Chattanooga for nine seasons, finishing his tenure with the Mocs carrying a 145-146 record. As a team, Alabama Huntsville is averaging 82.8 points a night, good for second in the GSC. The Chargers are ranked seventh in the nation in three pointers made per game at 10.9, shooting them at a .376 clip. Individually, UAH is led in scoring junior Luke Burnett, who is averaging 17.1 points a night, sixth in the GSC. The Knoxville, Tenn. native is ranked third nationally in total three pointers made and fourth in three pointers attempted and three pointers per game.
 
In the all-time series, Alabama Huntsville leads 15-10 over Valdosta State since the series began in 2011. Last season, both teams won their home games, with Alabama Huntsville winning most recently by a score of 93-81 on Feb. 25. The Blazers are 3-8 when playing in Huntsville, Ala. with VSU winning most recently on Dec. 17, 2018, by a score of 87-72.
 
On Saturday, Valdosta State will wrap up their road trip with a stop in Livingston, Ala. to take on West Alabama. The Tigers currently have a 10-4 record with a 7-3 GSC record. UWA is 6-0 at home this season and will be hosting West Florida on Jan. 11 before welcoming the Blazers. Head coach Nick Woodruff is entering his fourth season leading West Alabama and holds a 69-23 record in his time in Livingston. Woodruff's defense is the top in the league and 11^th in the country, holding opponents to 63.9 points a game on .443 from the field, .329 from three, and .733 from the charity stripe. Individually, the Tigers led in scoring by junior guard Thaddeus Williams, who is averaging 14.4 points a game on .436 from three and .884 from the line, which is third best in the conference.
 
Valdosta State leads the all-time series over West Alabama 18-9 since the series began in 2011. Both teams split last season, winning their home games with the Tigers defeating the Blazers in Livingston on Feb. 23 by a score of 82-72. On the road, VSU is 1-5 on the season and 6-5 all-time at UWA.
 
After this weekend trip, the Blazers will host Shorter on Jan. 18, at 8 p.m. before hosting Lee on Jan. 20 at 4 p.m. for VSU Hall of Fame Weekend. Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased here.