DENTON, Texas (Interstat) — A pair of American Athletic Conference teams jockeying for position will meet Saturday when UAB visits North Texas at the North Texas Coliseum.

The Blazers (13-8) and Mean Green (12-9) enter separated by just one game in the league standings, making this a pivotal matchup for postseason seeding. UAB arrives off an 83-73 road win at Texas-San Antonio on Wednesday, while North Texas looks to rebound from an 82-66 loss at Tulsa the same night.

UAB’s success often flows through guard Chance Westry. The dynamic playmaker is coming off a 14-point, six-assist performance against UTSA and has scored in double figures in seven straight games, including a 24-point outing in a double-overtime win at South Florida earlier this month. His ability to score and facilitate will be central to the Blazers’ attack.

North Texas will counter with its own offensive catalyst in guard Je’Shawn Stevenson. He leads the Mean Green in scoring and dropped 27 points in a win over UTSA last week. Despite the team’s loss at Tulsa, Stevenson remained productive with a team-high 19 points. His scoring punch will be essential against a UAB defense that has shown vulnerabilities, allowing 99 points to Tulsa and 82 to South Florida in recent home losses.

The Blazers have shown a resilient road presence, with key conference wins at Tulane, East Carolina and South Florida. North Texas, however, has been strong at home in league play, boasting wins over Tulsa and UTSA in Denton.

This contest features contrasting tempos. UAB averages over 80 points per game in conference play, while North Texas traditionally employs a more deliberate, defensive-minded style under coach Ross Hodge. Which team controls the pace will likely decide the outcome.

Saturday’s game is the first of a regular-season series between the programs, with the rematch scheduled for March 1 in Birmingham, Alabama. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. CST.