UAB men’s and women’s basketball teams are in very different places heading into this week’s matchup versus Louisiana Tech. The men have won six straight behind a stellar defense and improving offense. The women have lost six straight with an inability to close big games costing them several games in conference play.
Against Louisiana Tech, perennially one of Conference USA’s top programs for both men’s and women’s basketball, both are heading for challenges.
Men’s Team
The men (16-2, 9-1) are up for their toughest test of the season. They missed their strongest opponents of the season as the game against Georgia Tech was canceled and the games against North Texas were postponed due to COVID issues within the program.
This Louisiana Tech team (15-6, 8-4), then, is the toughest opponent they have faced this season, and they are doing it on the road. The Blazers have never won in Ruston, losing all four of their trips to Louisiana since the Bulldogs joined the conference.
This Louisiana Tech team is among the conference’s best. They sit just outside the top 100 in the NET rankings and have fared well against the other top teams in conference play. They split each series against Western Kentucky, Marshall and North Texas.
This Bulldog team has a lot of depth – 7 players are averaging over 20 minutes a game. But if there is one player to watch out for, it’s Kenneth Lofton.
The freshman forward may not play the most minutes, but when he is on the court, his presence is felt. He is averaging 10.2 points per game – one of four Louisiana Tech players averaging double digits – and 7.1 rebounds per game, a team-high. Already he appears a favorite for Conference USA freshman of the year, having one the weekly award six times this season.
Given the caliber of these two teams, expect a couple of close ones down in Ruston. A split seems the most likely outcome for when these two go head to head.
UAB and Louisiana Tech tip-off in Ruston at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and 3 p.m. on Saturday. Both games will be broadcast on Stadium and available to listen to on WJQX 100.5 in Birmingham.
Women’s Team
The women’s team (7-9, 2-8) has struggled greatly during conference play. They were swept last week by UTEP on the read.
While Friday was a 21-point blowout, Saturday was another close loss in overtime. This has been the theme for this Blazer team. They have had strong games against Charlotte, North Texas, Middle Tennessee and UTEP, but they cannot close out and have lost in the final minutes.
This Louisiana Tech team (11-7, 6-6) is not as strong as the teams that have swept UAB this season. And they don’t have a star player the way that UAB does with Zakyia Weathersby and Margaret Whitley, but they have managed to play teams close and win.
Amber Dixon is the player to watch out for this team. She leads the Lady Techsters in rebounds and field goal percentage. Averaging over 30 minutes a game, her presence is felt through all four quarters.
Look for UAB women’s basketball to break their losing streak this weekend but expect a split. If the two are close in the fourth quarter, my money would be on the Lady Techsters.
Tip-off is set on Friday at 2 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+. Tip-off for Saturday is at 2 p.m. and will be broadcast on CUSA.tv.
