Memphis vs UAB Odds
| Memphis Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -110 | 159.5 -110o / -110u | -184 |
| UAB Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -110 | 159.5 -110o / -110u | +152 |
The Memphis Tigers are easily the nation's most puzzling team. Memphis is somehow ranked in the AP Poll, while simultaneously being a bubble team. If that sounds strange, it is.
The Tigers are set to face UAB on Sunday, so let's make a pick for Memphis vs. UAB.
Memphis Tigers
Memphis started the season hot at 9-2 with convincing victories over notable opponents like Clemson and Virginia. Since then, Memphis has constantly played with fire, and got burned last week. The Tigers suffered losses against South Florida and Tulane, despite leading late in both games. Blown leads have been a constant problem during Penny Hardaway's tenure and remain an issue.
David Jones is the one constant for the Tigers. The dynamic scoring wing averages 21.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Jones scored 32 in the loss against Tulane and will need another lofty scoring performance for Memphis to prevail in Birmingham.
The biggest concern for Memphis is defensive lapses in big moments. Typically, teams as experienced as Memphis don't make the type of mistakes that are often associated with young teams. However, that's happening regularly for the Tigers.
Additionally, the Tigers' defense has the worst defensive efficiency (75th) of the Hardaway era.
Despite the recent struggles, Memphis still has plenty of talent. Jones is a really good player. Jahvon Quinerly hits big shots regularly and the other key roles players — Jaykwon Walton, Nae'Qwan Tomlin and Malcolm Dandridge — fill valuable roles.
Simply put, Memphis needs to turn the ball over less and ramp up the defensive intensity. Thankfully, the Tigers face one of the worst defenses in the AAC on Sunday.
UAB Blazers
UAB is having a bridge season after losing four starters. Coach Andy Kennedy brought in Barry Dunning Jr., Will Shaver and James White from high-major programs, but they don't play. Most figured those three would play significant roles for UAB, but it just didn't materialize.
The Blazers are 12-7 (4-2 in conference play) and lost at first-place Charlotte earlier in the week. The defense is really the biggest cause of the problem UAB ranks a disastrous 235th in defensive efficiency. Kennedy typically has some really good defensive teams, but this isn't one of them.
The offense also faces some serious struggles. Most of the Blazers' scoring comes from the bigs. Yaxel Lendeborg and Javian Davis carve out space for offensive rebounds, which leads to fouls and free throws. UAB ranks amongst the best in the country in free-throw rate and offensive rebounding percentage and also has a 48% effective field goal percentage.
The guards just don't have the same pop this year. Eric Gaines isn't scoring much, Butta Johnson is inconsistent and nobody else is producing much on the perimeter.
Memphis vs. UAB
Betting Pick & Prediction
I won't take Memphis at anything more than -5 based on its propensity to make boneheaded decisions late in games. I can't stomach having Memphis -7, for instance, and losing because the Tigers turn the ball over five times in the final three minutes. Still, this is a prime bounce-back matchup for a vastly more talented team.
Pick: Memphis -5 
