BASKETBALL Middle Tennessee @ UAB (ESPN2), 3PM, Sunday, December 1, 2024
- Thread starter SpaceRaider
- Start date
Will probably be a loss at UAB. They usually have a good athletes and we always play terrible there. When was the last time we even won at their place.
2019. Antonio Green and Donovan Sims combined for 51 of our 79 points. Sims was fouled with 1 second left and hit both FTs to win.
The first true road game in nearly a month and this will be a larger test than Abilene Christian. UAB was picked to finished 1st in the AAC but after Memphis’ display in Maui, and inversely UAB’s 7th place finish at the Paradise Jam, I would imagine the minds have have been changed.
UAB still has an upper half AAC team led by Yaxel Lendeborg (#3, 6’9” C) who was preseason AAC POY, and on some National Watchlist. A lengthy, athletic forward averaging 17.8 ppg, 8.9 rpg on 55% FG that will give us problem as we saw with Kyeron Lindsay of Murray State (27 points) — very similar play styles. Adding to their low post depth is Christian Coleman (#4, 6’8” F). He will play the 4 to Lendeborg’s 5 and creates his shots from over help on Lendeborg, second on the team with nearly 12 ppg, and 7 rpg. They don’t have the guard play we’re used to seeing AK teams have, but Alejandro Vasquez (#10, 6’4”) was really impressive in the Paradise Jam scoring 19 and 25 in their final two games coming off the bench immediately in both contests.
UAB is very different because of their frontcourt strengths. The Blazers attempt the fewest 3 pointers of almost every team in the country (bottom 10) and bottom 1/4 in assists. That styles says they will get it down low quick and let their forwards go to work. After watching their win against Louisiana, they transition quickly. Another top 100 scoring efficiency team that will need a great showing from Mostafa/Loofe/Alston on the defensive end to give us a chance. Defensively, UAB is a poor on-ball defending team. Granted Louisiana had a very quick, talented SG and it was game 3 in 4 days but they’re bottom 100 in Def eFG% and 2 pt FG% would confirm what I saw. JP has a chance to have a good game and get plenty of FT opportunities.
Keys are to defend the front court without fouling. I know we brag on the front court depth but we really need to see Loofe take another step forward because I don’t see Mostafa matching up well down low. Also utilize our speed advantage at the guards. JP and JB will get opportunities at the rim today. Get downhill and get to the rim. The offense cannot afford to sleep in this one — similar to Bradley.
UAB still has an upper half AAC team led by Yaxel Lendeborg (#3, 6’9” C) who was preseason AAC POY, and on some National Watchlist. A lengthy, athletic forward averaging 17.8 ppg, 8.9 rpg on 55% FG that will give us problem as we saw with Kyeron Lindsay of Murray State (27 points) — very similar play styles. Adding to their low post depth is Christian Coleman (#4, 6’8” F). He will play the 4 to Lendeborg’s 5 and creates his shots from over help on Lendeborg, second on the team with nearly 12 ppg, and 7 rpg. They don’t have the guard play we’re used to seeing AK teams have, but Alejandro Vasquez (#10, 6’4”) was really impressive in the Paradise Jam scoring 19 and 25 in their final two games coming off the bench immediately in both contests.
UAB is very different because of their frontcourt strengths. The Blazers attempt the fewest 3 pointers of almost every team in the country (bottom 10) and bottom 1/4 in assists. That styles says they will get it down low quick and let their forwards go to work. After watching their win against Louisiana, they transition quickly. Another top 100 scoring efficiency team that will need a great showing from Mostafa/Loofe/Alston on the defensive end to give us a chance. Defensively, UAB is a poor on-ball defending team. Granted Louisiana had a very quick, talented SG and it was game 3 in 4 days but they’re bottom 100 in Def eFG% and 2 pt FG% would confirm what I saw. JP has a chance to have a good game and get plenty of FT opportunities.
Keys are to defend the front court without fouling. I know we brag on the front court depth but we really need to see Loofe take another step forward because I don’t see Mostafa matching up well down low. Also utilize our speed advantage at the guards. JP and JB will get opportunities at the rim today. Get downhill and get to the rim. The offense cannot afford to sleep in this one — similar to Bradley.
To have our best opportunity today if Counter can play, he needs to be a go. Even though we have lots of age & experience individually we are a young team. As soon as things started meshing well which was the first half of the USF game Counter went down. Typical MT basketball luck. I'm not saying USF wouldn't have made a run in the second half if Counter had not gone down, but I will say it wouldn't have been as close.
If he's as healthy now as he will be against Rhodes play him now. Just like Sims & Jefferson made the 2022 a tough out so does Counter & Porter for this squad.
If he's as healthy now as he will be against Rhodes play him now. Just like Sims & Jefferson made the 2022 a tough out so does Counter & Porter for this squad.
UAB MBB Hosts Middle Tennessee on Sunday - UAB Athletics
BIRMINGHAM – UAB men's basketball returns to Bartow Arena on Sunday to face off with Middle Tennessee. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. CT.
Blue Raiders to close out road stand at UAB - Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee men's basketball is set to close our its road stand this weekend in Birmingham, Ala., facing off against UAB at Bartow
goblueraiders.com
halftime
MT 38
uab 28
Team Comparison
MT 38
uab 28
Team Comparison
| STATISTIC | MT | uab |
|---|---|---|
| FG% | 43% | 33% |
| FGs | 12-28 | 12-36 |
| 3FG% | 23% | 14% |
| 3FGs | 3-13 | 1-7 |
| FT% | 85% | 38% |
| FTs | 11-13 | 3-8 |
| TOs | 2 | 6 |
| PtsOffTO | 8 | 2 |
| TotReb | 16 | 26 |
| DefReb | 13 | 13 |
| Off Reb | 3 | 13 |
| 2ndChPts | 2 | 8 |
| BenchPts | 15 | 7 |
| PtsPaint | 18 | 16 |
| FstBkPt | 8 | 2 |
| Blocks | 1 | 0 |
| Steals | 4 | 0 |
| Assts | 7 | 2 |
| Times Tied: | 0 | |
| Lead Chg: | 2 | |
| LeadTime | 17:46 | 1:42 |
Burford's technical after the three was killer. Totally killed our momentum. That's the second one of the season. Why did they insist on acting like Jack asses when they make a good play.
76-69!!!
Team Comparison
Team Comparison
| STATISTIC | MT | uab |
|---|---|---|
| FG% | 41% | 37% |
| FGs | 25-61 | 26-70 |
| 3FG% | 29% | 18% |
| 3FGs | 7-24 | 4-22 |
| FT% | 79% | 59% |
| FTs | 19-24 | 13-22 |
| TOs | 8 | 8 |
| PtsOffTO | 12 | 9 |
| TotReb | 40 | 46 |
| DefReb | 29 | 26 |
| Off Reb | 11 | 20 |
| 2ndChPts | 13 | 15 |
| BenchPts | 17 | 19 |
| PtsPaint | 36 | 30 |
| FstBkPt | 15 | 11 |
| Blocks | 3 | 3 |
| Steals | 6 | 4 |
| Assts | 13 | 7 |
| Times Tied: | 0 | |
| Lead Chg: | 2 | |
| LeadTime | 37:50 | 1:42 |
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This team is a lot better than we gave them credit for
Impressive performance coming off second place in the tournament. This team is pretty dang good.
Good win on the road and avoided the total collapse at the end.
Anyone notice Andy Kennedy blow past Mcdevit in the handshake line after the game? He obviously doesn't like Mcdevitt. You would think they would have some kind of relationship after sharing a conference for years but I guess not.
Speaking of Andy Kennedy, he is really good at recruiting athletes but is terrible at coaching them. I don't see him lasting much longer there.
Anyone notice Andy Kennedy blow past Mcdevit in the handshake line after the game? He obviously doesn't like Mcdevitt. You would think they would have some kind of relationship after sharing a conference for years but I guess not.
Speaking of Andy Kennedy, he is really good at recruiting athletes but is terrible at coaching them. I don't see him lasting much longer there.
He's a pro at doing just enough to not get fired and not enough to get poached by a bigger program.
6-2! Gotta give them credit. Chip and McDevitt were correct in post game. Already knocked off 3 good teams this year (Ohio, USF, and UAB). I listened the whole way as I’m traveling back to the gulf coast. Really disappointed with the tech on Buford. Probably shouldn’t be taunting after air balling a 3 a few attempts prior. Bottom line is we were able to gut it out. Mustafa, Porter, and Alston making some plays. Feels like Alston was able to challenge them on the glass more.
Also agree that it would be nice to see some bodies get behind this team next weekend against Belmont (who gives a whole new set of challenges).
Also agree that it would be nice to see some bodies get behind this team next weekend against Belmont (who gives a whole new set of challenges).
Big time win. Beat 2 pre-season favorites and a reigning AAC champ all away from home so far. Got today's victory without Counter on the floor, & only 8 turnovers on the day. That's a huge surprise.
Will repeat a prior statement. Can't wait to see how much better this team can possibly be when we have everyone available. And that time has got to be just around the corner.
Will repeat a prior statement. Can't wait to see how much better this team can possibly be when we have everyone available. And that time has got to be just around the corner.
Hate that I missed it, but I got the remaining Christmas decorations done and my lawn leaves blown.
