Not only is Sunday’s game between UAB and host Memphis a battle among the top teams in the American Athletic Conference, but it should also be among the more entertaining matchups between two gifted offensive teams. Memphis, UAB, and North Texas are all tied for first place in the AAC with 5-1 records.
Entering the weekend, UAB (12-7, 5-1) led the AAC in scoring, averaging 84.8 points. Memphis (15-4, 5-1) was fifth in the AAC at 77.8 PPG. UAB allows 75.3 points per game while Memphis surrenders 73 PPG.
Entering the weekend, UAB led the nation in fastbreak points, averaging 18.47 per game. Memphis doesn’t exactly play at a slow pace. The Tigers are averaging 13.00 fast break points.
UAB has won five in a row, all against AAC opponents. The most recent win was Wednesday’s 81-78 home victory over UTSA. AAC Player of the Year candidate Yaxel Lendeborg had a double-double, 24 points and 14 rebounds. The 6-foot-9 senior, who was the AAC Defensive Player of the Year last season, is averaging 16.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocked shots.
Memphis has won two in a row and six of seven following Thursday’s 61-53 home victory over Wichita State. The Tigers lone AAC loss was an 88-81 defeat at Temple.
On Thursday, Memphis forced Wichita State to commit a season-high 22 turnovers. Guard PJ Haggerty scored 22 points and shot 5 of 6 from three-point range. Haggerty entered the weekend leading the AAC with a 22.1 scoring average.
Memphis is 7-2 at home while UAB is 2-2 on the road.
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UAB at Memphis Betting Odds
Memphis is an 8.5-point college basketball odds favorite on BetMGM against UAB with the Over/Under at 155.5.
The moneyline for Memphis is -350 while it is +275 for UAB.
UAB at Memphis On TV
The game between UAB and Memphis will be televised by ESPN2.
Tonight’s tipoff is shortly after 1 p.m. ET.
UAB at Memphis Prediction
I like UAB covering the points. According to teamrankings.com, Memphis is 9-10 against the spread and has failed to cover in five consecutive games. UAB is 9-9 against the spread and had covered five straight games before Wednesday’s game with UTSA.
Besides Lendeborg, there are three other double-figure scorers for UAB – 6-foot-8 senior Christian Coleman (12.6 PPG), 6-foot-4 senior Alejandro Vasquez (10.9), and 6-foot-1 junior Ja’Borri McGhee (10.2).
For such a prolific scoring team, UAB is shooting just .333 from three-point range, but the Blazers shoot .759 from the foul line.
Memphis leads the AAC in three-point percentage (.389) and is shooting .726 from the foul line. In Thursday’s win over Wichita State, Memphis shot just 9 of 15 from the foul line (.600).
Besides Haggerty, guard Tyrese Hunter is averaging 15.2 points and leads the AAC in three-point percentage (.427). Redshirt senior guard Colby Rogers and 6-foot-9 redshirt senior Dain Dainja are both averaging 11.3 points for the Tigers.
UAB has a 9.5-point scoring margin, which is second in the AAC, while Memphis is fourth at 4.8.
Memphis could very well win this game, but based on recent play, it seems like too many points to give to UAB.
