Memphis @ UAB preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 10, 2016 ) UAB 55, Memphis 62

Memphis seeks to extend its winning streak against Alabama-Birmingham to 17 consecutive games when it visits the Blazers on Thursday in the Gene Bartow Classic. Both schools have ties to the late Bartow, who guided the Tigers to the 1973 NCAA title game before losing to UCLA and later establishing the UAB program while winning 366 games over 18 seasons at the school.

Memphis has recorded three consecutive victories since a season-opening loss to Alabama as second-year coach Tubby Smith attempts to build a program. The Tigers had to overcome a 16-point deficit in their most recent contest before rallying to slip by Northern Kentucky 76-74. While Smith bemoaned about the need to get more production from his young squad, Blazers coach Robert Ehsan and his squad is feeling better after ending a three-game skid with a 90-53 victory over Mississippi College. "It was a big confidence booster," senior forward William Lee told reporters. "Down in the Cayman Islands, we left with a nasty taste in our mouth. We were focused on this game to get that confidence back and just to keep getting better."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, No TV

ABOUT MEMPHIS (3-1): Senior forward Jimario Rivers stepped up with a career-high 18 point-outing in a win over New Orleans and followed up with 17 in the slim victory over Northern Kentucky. Rivers is shooting 60.6 percent from the field and is third on the squad in scoring (12.3) behind junior guard Jeremiah Martin (16.5) and junior forward Kyvon Davenport (13.5, team-best 6.3 rebounds). Smith is calling for a better showing from junior point guard Kareem Brewton Jr. (6.3), who committed six turnovers and was 1-of-6 shooting against Northern Kentucky.

ABOUT UAB (4-3): Senior forward Chris Cokley is shooting 59 percent from the field while leading the Blazers in scoring (18.1) and rebounding (10.3), and is the reigning Conference USA Player of the Week. Cokley's career point total sits at 1,245 - just 50 shy of matching the total of former UAB standout Robert Vaden, who ranks 13th in school history after scoring 1,295 points in two seasons (2007-09) at the school. Freshman guard Zack Bryant (14.9 average), Lee (averages of 11 points and 5.9 rebounds) and junior guard Jalen Perry (10.4) also score in double digits for the Blazers.

TIP-INS

1. Memphis owns a 35-10 series lead over UAB.

2. The Tigers are shooting just 26.9 percent from 3-point range.

3. The Blazers are outrebounding opponents by an average of 12.9 per game.

PREDICTION: Memphis 76, UAB 71