UAB Hoops Preview: UAB @ UTEP

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 UTEP.

Also see our UTEP Correspondent's preview of UTEP vs. UAB

Saturday, January 6

7:05 p.m. (MST)

Don Haskins Center (12,000)

El Paso , TX

Blazers Battle Miners

UAB will begin Conference USA play on Saturday night when it travels to El Paso to face UTEP at the Don Haskins Center.

Both teams enter with 8-6 records, but UAB played a much tougher non-conference schedule and should be a little better prepared for a tough game than UTEP.

UTEP has put up some impressive numbers early in the season vs. some less than impressive competition. The Miners top four scorers are guards Stefon Jackson, Darren Clarke, Marvin Kilgore and, Kevin Henderson. UTEP’s backcourt players have accounted 75 percent of their points. Kevin Henderson is averaging 12.4 points per game when UTEP wins and 4.8 points per game in losses. UTEP has made 10 or more three-pointers in three straight games.

UAB has played solid basketball while the players adjust to Coach Mike Davis’ new system and he adjusts to their talent. UAB is led by Paul Delaney, III, Wen Mukubu and freshman sensation Jeremy Mayfield.

UAB must be prepared for a very physical basketball game. Ten UTEP players have fouled out of a game this season. Mostly due to this foul trouble, UTEP’s three big men are all averaging less than 20 minutes per game. The Miners have accumulated 23 foul outs in 13 games this season.

If UAB brings it’s A game, the Blazers can steal a C-USA victory on the road. On the other hand, if the Blazers play like they did against VCU or Old Dominion, UTEP will win big.