The UAB Blazers (21-4) and the Conference USA’s top-ranked offense head to Louisiana Tech to play the Bulldogs (18-6) and the top-ranked defense in the conference. Action starts at 2:00 pm ET on Saturday, Feb. 13 and can be seen on FSN.
The Bulldogs enter this game hoping for similar success after beating Middle Tennessee 73-63 on Thursday. Jacobi Boykins played a pivotal role with 14 points, five rebounds, and four steals. The Blazers are coming off an 80-77 win over Southern Miss on Thursday. Chris Cokley had a good performance, posting 17 points and 13 rebounds to claim his fifth double-double of the season.
The Bulldogs enter the game with records of 18-6 Straight Up (SU) and 7-9 Against The Spread (ATS). Opponents have consistently had the ball stolen by the Bulldogs, who rank 48th in the country in steals per game with 7.5.
On the other side, the Blazers head into the game with records of 12-9 ATS and 21-4 SU. UAB has been particularly bad ATS over its past 10 matchups, going 3-7. They sport the 39th-ranked scoring offense in the country, averaging 79.2 points per game. The Blazers are an unselfish team with an average of 19.0 assists per game, ranking fourth in Division I. UAB’s defense is one of the top in the nation, with opponents shooting only .401 from the field. The Blazers are a terror on the defensive glass, averaging an impressive 28.0 defensive rebounds per game.
This game marks the first time these teams will play this season. The last time the conference rivals played, UAB won, bumping its SU record to 5-2. Furthermore, with a 4-3 record, UAB has the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – LaTech, ATS Winner – LaTech
Notes
“Louisiana Tech is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games “.
“Louisiana Tech is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games “.
“Louisiana Tech is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home”.
“Louisiana Tech is 14-1 SU in its last 15 games at home”.
“Louisiana Tech is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing UAB”.
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs average 78.7 points per game, ranking 46th in the nation. The UAB Blazers rank 75th in points allowed with 67.9.
Louisiana Tech averages 81.6 points per home game (ranked 50th). UAB allows 70.6 points per away game (ranked 63rd).
UAB won its last game by a three-point margin. In games decided by a margin of three points or less, Louisiana Tech is 2-2. UAB is 5-1 in close games this season.
The UAB Blazers rank 35th for their offensive rating of 113.7. The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs have a defensive rating of 95.9 (ranked 36th).
The UAB Blazers have one of the best field goal percentages this season, ranking 20th in the nation with a FG% of 48.4%. When their opponents record a similar or higher FG%, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs have a losing 1-3 record.
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and the UAB Blazers both rank higher in average field goal percentage when compared to their effective field goal percentages. Louisiana Tech is 135th and 109th in the nation for eFG% and FG% respectively, while UAB ranks 27th and 20th in these categories.
Ranked fourth in the nation, UAB has an average of 19.0 assists per game. Louisiana Tech ranks lower at 159th with 13.7.
UAB, the second-ranked team in blocked shots, records an average of 6.5 blocks per game. Louisiana Tech ranks 48th with 4.8.
Louisiana Tech ranks 133rd in offensive rebounds, while UAB ranks 32nd in defensive rebounds.
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs make an average of 7.5 steals per game. When the UAB Blazers allow 7 or more steals, they are a fantastic 11-2.
