Predicted Score: UAB 80 - Utep 68

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UAB doesn't have the height OR the bulk to throw into the game like Utep does... but it has the discipline... and it has an effective defense.

UAB also does something else Utep doesn't do well... they pass the ball around to get the easy assist. They average between 8-10 assist a game with Aaron Johnson leading them in that category with 4.4 assists per game.

UAB also has 6'6 Guard - Elijah Millsap as their leading scorer. I predict UAB will throw screens to help get him matched up against the smaller Culpepper.

I'll be interested in seeing how Utep handles a taller guard. I know other teams will be watching this as well.

Free throws... and which team makes them will be a factor in this game. I see UAB collecting a lot of fouls from Utep because Utep hasn't learned to play defense with its feet... instead of relying 100% on their hands.

UAB isn't a great team... not by any stretch of the imagination... but they are scrappy and play to their strengths. The #25 rank tells you this team can be there one minute and forgotten the next.

Should be an interesting game... does Utep have a chance?? Most Definitely. But I see UAB's style and discipline as negating Utep's raw talent.

Realm...

[Realm]

Utep played what looked like a typical Utep kind of game... as they shot 46% from the field & 67% from the line.

UAB, on the other hand, did not play their usual game. They shot 27% from the field.

And when you're shots ain't dropping... things fall apart.

Still, with all that went right for Utep... and all that went WRONG for UAB... Utep needed 2 overtimes to get the win.

Memphis and UAB were two away games I didn't expect the Miners to have a chance at... but they did what they needed to do.

In my book, they now have a paved road to the Cusa championship.

Congrats to the Miners...

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