UAB’s Chatman Gives Blazers Advantage on Glass In Matchup With Tulane

By Steve Irvine

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - February 14, 2026

Evan Chatman is doing a better job on the defensive glass than any other American Conference player this season.

The 6-foot-8 junior college transfer averages 6.44 defensive rebounds per game, which is tops in The American, and is third in overall rebounds at 8.9 per game. He compiled double digits in rebounds in nine games this season with five of those coming in conference games, including a season-best 17 in a recent win over Rice. Over the past three games, Chatman averaged 13.3 rebounds per game. This past Wednesday, he had a season-high eight offensive rebounds in the win at Tulsa.

None of those numbers enter his mind, however, during a game. It’s not until afterward when the Harker Heights, Texas native becomes aware how many rebounds he pulled down.

“I definitely get surprised sometimes because I don't really think about it during the game,” Chatman said. “I just know I got to go get every ball I see. So like the Rice game, the 17 rebounds, I didn't expect that because I knew I missed a couple box outs. I missed a couple rebounds that I know I should have got. I was kind of down on myself, and then they told me I had 17 rebounds, and I was surprised.”

Even in his best rebounding performance, he learned a lesson.

“It kind of just shows that I have room for growth,” Chatman said. “Like I can go get more. I can always go get more. Coach (Chris) Shumate is always telling me to go to the glass. He's been telling me all year, since the summer, since my first day here. I think him pushing me to do that kind of makes it second nature. He told me after the (Rice) game I should have had 20, I should have had 21 and I agree.”

Chatman rides a season-high streak of three consecutive double-digit rebounding games into Sunday’s Bartow Classic game against Tulane with tip-off scheduled for 1 p.m. at Bartow Arena.

Statistically speaking, Tulane is the worst rebounding team in the league. Tulane was outrebounded in eight of 11 conference games with seven of those margins reaching at least 14. Tulane won all three games that it won the rebounding battle. UAB outrebounded Tulane, 45-27, during the Blazers 82-69 win over the Green Wave in New Orleans on Jan. 14.

KyeRon Lindsay-Martin had a game-high 12 rebounds in UAB’s win over Tulane earlier this season. It’s possible that Lindsay-Martin could miss his third consecutive game because of shoulder discomfort. He is expected to be a game-day decision, just as he was the previous two games. Chatman and Rivera picked up in the slack in his absence, combining for 22 points and 23 rebounds per game.

UAB’s backcourt will also be shorthanded once again. Jacob Meyer (ankle) is also expected to be a game-day decision but Ahmad Robinson (hand) will not play. They will be facing a Tulane backcourt led by The American Preseason Player the Year Rowan Brumbaugh, who is averaging 19 points, five rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.   

UAB head coach Andy Kennedy is expected to be back on the sideline after missing Wednesday win over Tulsa because of an illness.