UAB Hoops Preview: UAB vs. UCF

Blazers battle Golden Knights on Wednesday night

CUSA-fans.com has a new staff of team correspondents this season to help bring you, the fan, more detailed Conference USA sports coverage. Today, our UAB Correspondent Joe Schillaci, Jr. previews the basketball game between UAB and UCF.

January 10, 2007

Bartow Arena @ 7 PM (CST)

The Golden Knights of UCF bring a solid 11-3 record into Bartow Arena on Wednesday night.

UCF is led by Jermaine Taylor who scored 26 points against South Dakota State and is averaging 16.1 points per game. Joshua Peppers is posting 12.9 points per game and Lavell Payne, who scored 13 points against South Dakota State, is averaging 8.4 points per game. Another player to watch for UCF is 6’11” junior Stanley Billings who fills up the paint and has 11 blocks in 14 games this season.

Wen Mukubu, Paul Delaney, III and Jeremy Mayfield lead UAB. UAB is only 8-7 on the season and is 0-1 in C-USA play after a sloppy loss to UTEP Saturday night. Coach Mike Davis was very disappointed in the Blazers defensive effort against UTEP and questioned his team’s desire to win.

UAB has a very impressive home record in conference and UCF could be the next unfortunate victim of UAB’s home dominance. UCF has feasted on weak opponents so far this season while UAB has played the tougher schedule in the pre-conference season and should be ready to prove something. They have a golden opportunity to even their conference record at 1-1 with a victory over the Golden Knights.

Prediction: UAB 88 - UCF 65