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Memphis basketball vs UAB score prediction: Latest news, injury updates
Memphis basketball vs. UAB: This is what it’s all about.
So says Tigers coach Penny Hardaway, who will pit his 22nd-ranked team (15-4, 5-1 AAC) against the Blazers (12-7, 5-1) at FedExForum on Sunday (noon, ESPN2).
UAB was the preseason pick in a vote by the league’s coaches to win the AAC. Memphis was picked to finish second. The Blazers’ Yaxel Lendeborg was the preseason favorite to win AAC Player of the Year and leads the league in rebounding (10 per game). The Tigers’ PJ Haggerty leads the league in scoring (22.1 points per game – good enough for second in the country) and is a first-team All-American candidate.
And they’re all tied up for first place in the conference standings (with North Texas).
“Obviously, that’s what it’s all about,” Hardaway said after Thursday’s win over Wichita State. “You know what they’re going to be about. Road warrior mentality, physicality and trying to get our crowd out of the game early.
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“We can’t let that happen.”
Here are three things to keep an eye on ahead of Sunday’s matchup.
Yaxel Lendeborg and the battle inside
There are only 11 players in the country who average more rebounds per game than Lendeborg. Making things even more daunting for a Memphis team that has been outrebounded in four of its past five games, Lendeborg’s teammate, Christian Coleman, averages 7.7 boards a game − the fourth-best clip in the AAC.
The Blazers are ninth in the country with 14.8 offensive rebounds a game and tied for 18th in rebounding margin at plus-7.
But UAB coach Andy Kennedy understands that’s just one aspect of the game.
“We’re pretty good on the offensive glass,” he told The Commercial Appeal this week. “We’ve got to do a good job of establishing some paint presence. We’ve got to do a good job of limiting our turnovers against a team that thrives on creating open-floor opportunities. We’ve got to make foul shots. When you have an opportunity to make plays, you’ve got to make them.
“We have a number of guys that are capable of knocking down shots in key moments. We’re going to have to be on top of all of those areas to give ourselves a chance against this talented Memphis team.”
Can Penny Hardaway get Colby Rogers going again?
So much has been made of the Tigers’ struggles over the past five games. Since dismantling FAU in a 28-point win on Jan. 2, Memphis is 4-1. Its average margin of victory during that span is just 6.3 points, and the only team it has faced in the NET’s top 100 is North Texas.
Turnovers (15.4 per game) have been a problem. Rebounding has been a problem. So, too, has Colby Rogers’ shooting.
The Wichita State transfer, who broke the Shockers’ program record last season with 99 3-pointers, is mired in a significant slump. Rogers is shooting just 24.4% since making 15 of 25 shots against Ole Miss and FAU.
Rogers has gone through tough stretches before this season and broken out of it. If he can do it again, it would give the Tigers a big boost at a critical time.
UAB basketball scouting report
Lendeborg is the key to practically everything the Blazers do. On top of leading the team in scoring (16.8) and rebounding, he is tops in assists (4.2 per game, tied for fourth in the AAC), blocks (1.6 per game) and steals (1.5 per game).
UAB has won five straight games and seven of its past eight.
But, while the Blazers boast the 47th-most efficient offense in the country, they are susceptible on the defensive end. UAB ranks 254th in adjusted defensive efficiency. Kennedy’s team has trouble stopping its opponents from scoring.
UAB has given up 76.5 points per game in its past four games versus the likes of UTSA, South Florida and Tulane − which rank fourth, sixth and seventh, respectively, in the AAC in scoring offense. Memphis currently ranks fifth.
As the Blazers have strung together a handful of wins, they’re in a similar boat as the Tigers when it comes to playing close games. The margin of victory in their last four wins is 7.2 points. Most recently, UAB held on to beat UTSA 81-78 in Birmingham, Alabama.
Memphis basketball score prediction vs. UAB
Memphis 86, UAB 83: Another one that will come down to the wire. But the Tigers are simply too talented, and this is a game they will get up for.
Commercial Appeal sports writer Jonah Dylan contributed to this report.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.
As the highly anticipated matchup between Memphis basketball and UAB approaches, fans are eagerly awaiting to see which team will come out on top. With both teams looking to make a statement early in the season, it’s sure to be a thrilling game.
In terms of injury updates, both teams seem to be relatively healthy heading into the game. Memphis has been dealing with some minor nicks and bruises, but nothing that should significantly impact their performance. UAB, on the other hand, has been dealing with a couple of key players nursing injuries, but they are expected to be ready to go come game time.
As for the score prediction, it’s tough to say who will come out on top in this matchup. Both teams have talented rosters and strong coaching staffs, making it anyone’s game. However, I predict that Memphis will come out on top with a final score of 75-68. Their high-powered offense and strong defense should give them the edge over UAB.
Be sure to tune in to the game to see if my prediction holds true and to witness an exciting matchup between these two talented teams. Let’s go Tigers! #Memphisbasketball #UAB #scoreprediction
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