Cooper Albers shares his insights on the upcoming college basketball showdown between the South Florida Bulls and UAB Blazers, set to take place on Thursday night at Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.
Both teams enter this matchup after experiencing a mix of successes and setbacks in their recent games. The South Florida Bulls (11-7, 3-2 American) are looking to rebound from a tough overtime loss to Wichita State on Sunday. However, they have found some momentum, winning three of their last four games since a double-overtime loss to UAB earlier this month.
On the other hand, the UAB Blazers (12-7, 3-3 American) are also eager to bounce back after suffering a considerable 22-point defeat against Tulsa in their previous outing. Despite their recent struggles, UAB managed to notch impressive victories, including their earlier win over South Florida.
The game is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. ET, with South Florida entering as a 2.5-point favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while UAB is positioned as a +114 underdog. The total for the game is set at 166.5 points.
South Florida’s strong performance this season can be attributed to first-year head coach Bryan Hodgson, who has implemented an aggressive style of play. The Bulls excel in many offensive metrics and rank among the best in the American Conference with high averages in points, rebounds, assists, and steals per game. Senior forward Izaiyah Nelson, who transferred from Arkansas State, has been a key player, boasting impressive averages of 15.7 points and 9.9 rebounds.
UAB has also shown promise, with sophomore guard Chance Westry leading the charge. Westry, a former top-40 recruit, is averaging 14.9 points and 4.5 assists. UAB’s balanced scoring is complemented by strong performances from players like junior forward Evan Chatman and Jacob Meyer. Though both teams have strong offensive capabilities, they also face challenges on the defensive end, with UAB allowing one of the highest points per game in the conference.
With both the Bulls and Blazers thriving on fast-paced offensive plays but struggling defensively, fans can expect a high-scoring contest reminiscent of their previous encounters. The combination of both teams’ styles indicates that they could once again exceed the game’s total points set at 166.5, providing an exciting atmosphere for college basketball lovers.