Memphis and UAB preview

Memphis:

The hometown Memphis Tigers will take on a heated rival on Saturday when the UAB Blazers come to town. Memphis will look to avenge last season’s 71-56 loss at the hands of the Blazers. Jeremiah Martin led the Tigers with 18 points in last season’s loss to the Blazers.

When the Tigers and Blazers take the floor on Saturday it will be the 49^thmeeting between the two schools, with Memphis leading the  all-time series record 37-11 over UAB. If UAB can find a way to win on the road it will be the first time since 1997-1999 that the Blazers have won back to back over the Tigers. Memphis went 10 years without losing to UAB with the streak ending last season in Birmingham.

Memphis will look to win back to back games for the first time this season when they take the court to face UAB. Memphis won a hard-fought game with South Dakota State 88-80 on Tuesday night at home.

The hometown Memphis Tigers will also look to get one more tune-up before the massive battle with arch-rival Tennessee. Tennessee will travel to Memphis next Saturday for a game much of the state has had circled for quite some time.

Here’s what Coach Penny Hardaway had to say about the game with UAB-

“Honestly, they are kind of similar to us,” Hardaway said of UAB. “The stats are really similar. They shoot a lot of 3s, but they’re not really making them. That doesn’t mean they are not capable.”

“Offensively, their guards lead their show. They have really good guards. Their bigs have to do it by committee. But they go as their guards go, kind of like us.”

Memphis will turn to Freshman guard Tyler Harris to lead the Tigers on Saturday. Harris leads the Tigers with 15.3 on average per game, including an impressive three-point range.

UAB will look to use the game with Memphis as a final touch up before trying to upset Auburn next Saturday in Birmingham.

Memphis and UAB will tip-off at high noon at the FedEx Forum in Downtown Memphis. For those not able to make it to the game on Saturday can watch all the action on ESPN3 on their computer or tablet.