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UAB wearing mismatched shoes for pediatric cancer awareness

Keen-eyed NCAA tournament watchers may have noticed that the UAB Blazers are wearing mismatched shoes on the court on Thursday for their game against Iowa State.

Keen-eyed NCAA tournament watchers may have noticed that the UAB Blazers are wearing mismatched shoes on the court on Thursday for their game against Iowa State.

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The move is not just for fashion though, it is to raise awareness for the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children's of Alabama, according to AL.com.

The team "adopted" a pediatric cancer patient named Elijah Serritt two years ago, and became involved with the fight against pediatric cancer as the 19-month-old began his fight with medulloblastoma.

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Coach Jerod Haase told AL.com that the campaign has helped bring the team together.

"I think if you're a basketball program and your sole purpose is just to win games, you're running a poor program. I think our guys are really bought in."

Serritt is continuing his battle with the disease and has had 17 surgeries in the last two years, in addition to chemotherapy.

UPDATE: UAB held on to win, so the mismatched shoes will see the second round. Let the dancing commence.

- Brendan Maloy