UAB Hoops Preview: UAB vs. South Florida (USF)

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 new UAB Correspondent Joe Schillaci, Jr. previews the basketball game between UAB and South Florida (USF).

Date: December 27, 2006

Time: 7 PM (CST)

Location: Bartow Arena, Birmingham, AL

UAB (7-5) wraps up a two game non-conference homestand against ex-C-USA foe South Florida (7-4) on Wednesday. The Bulls exited C-USA and entered the Big East after the 2004 season.

South Florida enters this game coming off a home loss to Missouri State. Due to illness, the Bulls were short handed in the Missouri State loss, but they should be back to full strength for the UAB game. The Bulls are led by senior Melvin Buckley who had a game high 28 points in the loss to Missouri State Another player to watch for USF is Mattis McHugh. Last season McHugh had seven double-doubles, averaged 2.10 blocks per game, 7.2 rebounds per game and 3.10 offensive rebounds per game. Coach Robert McCallum, who is in his fourth season at the helm, leads the Bulls.

UAB will be putting a 17-game home winning streak on the line. Coach Mike Davis is in his first season in Birmingham and his Blazers are experiencing the ups and downs of a transitional season while moving from Coach Mike Anderson’s fastest 40 minutes in basketball to a more traditional half court style of play. The Blazers are 7-5 with impressive wins over Cincinnati, Minnesota and DePaul and tough losses to VCU and Old Dominion. Junior point guard Paul Delaney, III and Wen Mukubu, who had 14 points in the loss to Old Dominion, lead UAB. Another player to watch for UAB is highly regarded freshman Jeremy Mayfield. Mayfield is UAB’s top threat off a very thin bench.

UAB vs. USF Prediction:

Look for an old fashioned street fight that could go into overtime. UAB will pull out a single digit win, 65-62.