Memphis returns to FedExForum on Sunday looking to snap a three-game losing streak against UAB. The Tigers haven’t played a home game since February 8, when they beat Charlotte by 23 points.
It’s the second meeting between Memphis and the Blazers this season, and Penny Hardaway’s team won the first meeting by 10 points in Birmingham. While the Tigers picked up a big road win, UAB’s results in conference play are surprising to say the least.
Including the loss against Memphis, Andy Kennedy’s team is 1-6 at home in conference play, but they’re a perfect 7-0 on the road. The Blazers have only lost two road games this season, against NC State and Middle Tennessee, and they have road wins over South Florida, North Texas, Tulsa and Temple.
As a team, UAB averages 79.7 points per game, shooting 43.9 percent from the field, 28.5 percent from deep and 69.9 percent from the free-throw line. The Blazers rank No. 361 in three-point percentage and No. 318 in effective field goal percentage, but they entered Saturday leading the country in turnover percentage.
Four players average more than 10 points, and Chance Westry, who led the team in the first meeting against the Tigers, averages 15 points, 4.9 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.
Defensively, the Blazers allow 73.8 points per game, and opposing teams shoot 42.7 percent from the field and 31.9 percent from three-point range, and they force 12.1 turnovers per game. UAB averages 40.9 rebounds per game, and it has a plus-4.3 rebounding margin.
Here’s a look at how to watch Memphis’ game against the Blazers:
TV: ESPN2
Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: 98.9 The Roar of Memphis
Line: Memphis -4.5
Time: 11:00 a.m. CT
Here’s a look at what to expect from the Tigers against UAB:
Following another loss by more than 20 points on Thursday, it’ll be interesting to see how Memphis responds on Sunday. It’s been an eventful week, and the Tigers could use a win for multiple reasons.
After losing to North Texas, Hardaway suspended Zach Davis and Hasan Abdul Hakim, which resulted in Abdul Hakim being dismissed from the team. In the next game, Hardaway made headlines with a postgame quote following a 24-point loss to Utah State, and most recently, the head coach fought back tears in a postgame press conference after a 21-point loss against USF.
The Tigers have struggled with rebounding throughout conference play, and they were out-rebounded 52-to-39 against the Bulls. In the first game against UAB, the two teams tied with 39 rebounds, and the Tigers must do a better job on the boards against a smaller team.
Aaron Bradshaw suffered an injury in his last outing, and it’s unclear if he’ll play on Sunday against the Blazers. The big man recorded 12 points and six rebounds in Birmingham, and Memphis will be in a better spot if its starting center is available and productive.
The biggest X-factor in the first meeting was Sincere Parker, who led all scorers with 40 points, and it’ll be interesting to see how he plays on Sunday. The guard was named American Conference player of the week a few days after his 40-point outing, but he is coming off a 3-for-11 performance against the Bulls.
Over the last few games, the Tigers have gone through long scoreless droughts, and they’ll look to avoid similar droughts inside FedExForum. UAB has struggled offensively this season, but Memphis can’t give them any opportunities by going long periods of time without points.