BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) -- The UAB Blazers are the new Conference USA tournament champions and they're on their way to the big dance.
This is the 16th time the Blazers will be part of the NCAA Tournament.
"It feels absolutely incredible," said C-USA Tournament MVP Jordan "Jelly" Walker. "Especially for the team."
"We have a great coach," said Blazers fan Whitney Morgan. "A great team with exciting players and exciting basketball to watch, so it's a lot of fun."
Once back in Birmingham, the UAB Blazers headed to the Iron City Grill to watch the NCAA Tournament seeding announcement.
"I don't care which seed we are," Walker said. "I just can't wait to hear our name."
UAB are seeded 12th and the Blazers are set to take on the Houston Cougars. This is the highest seeded by the team since 2011.
"Everybody on this team, including me, thinks we can play against anyone in the country, no matter what the conference," Walker said. "As long as we play the best basketball and say AK, the best version of ourselves, if we do that I think we can beat anyone."
Supporters said they expected more Blazers fans to come to the tournament.
"I think it's really important to the school," Morgan said. "I think the more we win, I think the more popular the team becomes. The more fans we can put in the seats and we really want to have more fans in the seats. I hope this helps the fans UAB will be excited for basketball."
The 12-seeded UAB Blazers will face the Houston Cougars in Pittsburgh on Friday. If they win, it will be their first win at the NCAA Tournament since 2015 against Iowa State.