In a rematch between teams that each hit the century mark the first time out, South Florida visits UAB in an American Conference game on Thursday.
These two teams met on Jan. 4, with UAB earning a 109-106 double overtime decision in Tampa. Chance Westry, a 6-foot-6 redshirt sophomore transfer from Syracuse, led six double-figure scorers for UAB with 24 points. South Florida was led by 6-foot-2 junior Wes Enis, who scored 36 points, hitting 10 of 22 from three-point range.
UAB won the game despite being out-rebounded 61-49. That differs from the statistics. Entering Wednesday, South Florida was the leading rebounding team in the American, averaging 42.9. UAB was a close second at 41.4.
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South Florida (11-7, 3-2) saw its three-game winning streak snapped with Sunday’s 86-85 overtime loss at home to Wichita State. The winning Shockers owned a 49-42 rebounding edge. South Florida was led by 6-foot-5 Arkansas State transfer Joseph Pinion, who scored 21 points.
UAB (12-7, 3-3) saw its two-game win streak halted during Sunday’s 99-77 home loss to Tulsa. The Blazers shot 5-for-15 from three-point range (.333) compared to 12-for-26 (.462) for Tulsa.
South Florida at UAB Odds
As of this writing, South Florida is a 1.5-point college basketball betting favorite via BetMGM.
The Over/Under is at 167.5 points.
South Florida at UAB On TV
Tipoff for South Florida at UAB is shortly after 7 p.m. ET.
The game will be televised on ESPN2.
South Florida at UAB Prediction
I like South Florida to cover.
Even though UAB is coming off a bad home loss and would like to atone for that, South Florida is also coming off a home loss, albeit much closer. South Florida is also looking for payback after the earlier loss to UAB.
Any game with South Florida is expected to be high scoring. Entering Wednesday, the Bulls were leading the American Conference in scoring offense (90.2 PPG) and were last in scoring defense, allowing 79.6 points.
UAB was fourth in the American in scoring (83.1 PPG) and 10th in scoring defense (75.0).
These two teams have been the most efficient in the American with the ball. USF leads the American with a 3.61 turnover margin, with UAB right behind in second (3.58). In addition, UAB has committed the fewest turnovers per game, 9.1.
South Florida holds the edge in three-point shooting – .338 to .297. In the first game, USF did hold the three-point advantage, hitting 13-of-37 (.351) compared to 6-of-15 (.400) for UAB. South Florida has taken the most threes in the American, 542, while UAB is 11th with 357 attempts. USF averages 30.1 three-point attempts per game while UAB averages 18.7.
While South Florida is expected to have the advantage in three-point scoring, UAB can’t let it get too out of hand.
UAB will look to get to the foul line more. In the first meeting, UAB was 31-for-43 (.721) while South Florida was 23-for-36 (.639). For the season, South Florida has enjoyed greater success at the foul line – .740 to .710.
South Florida loves to play a transition game. Through Tuesday, the Bulls were 17th nationally in adjusted tempo (possessions per 40 minutes) with 72.4, according to KenPom.com. UAB also likes to play up-tempo and was 87th with an adjusted tempo of 69.5.
Not surprisingly, this should lead to a high-scoring game. Even in the earlier meeting, the score was tied at 83 entering overtime.
UAB’s Westry is averaging a team-high 14.9 points, but he is shooting just .283 from beyond the arc. Westry is also averaging a team-high 4.5 assists. Jacob Meyer, a 6-foot-2 transfer from DePaul, averages 14.2 points.
Izaiyah Nelson, a 6-foot-10 senior, leads South Florida in scoring (15.7 PPG) and rebounding (9.9).
UAB is just 6-5 at home, while South Florida is 3-2 on the road.
