Tigers Test Road Resolve Thursday at UAB

Thursday, February 5

Birmingham, Ala.

8:00 PM

University of Memphis

UAB

Feb 04, 2026 | Men's Basketball

Watch Live Stats Listen Memphis Game Notes (PDF)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Memphis heads east Thursday night with urgency riding shotgun.

The Tigers hit the road again, this time for a short trip to Birmingham to face UAB in a matchup that feels heavier than the calendar suggests. Tip is set for 8 p.m. on ESPN2 inside Bartow Arena and both teams arrive sitting side-by-side in the American Conference standings.

For Memphis (10-11, 5-4 American), the challenge is simple: translate flashes into results away from home. The Tigers showed some growth Sunday despite a narrow loss, delivering one of the sharpest free-throw shooting halves the program has posted in more than a decade. That efficiency, paired with improved scoring on the inside, has become a recent trend, especially behind Aaron Bradshaw, who continues to convert at an elite rate in league play.

UAB (14-8, 5-4) presents a unique test. The Blazers score in bunches and protect the ball as well as nearly anyone in the country, but their offense leans heavily toward the paint. Perimeter shooting hasn't been a strength, placing added importance on how Memphis' defense holds up around the rim. The Tigers' ability to contest inside while still closing out shooters could shape the night.

There's also familiarity layered into this one. Memphis has controlled the recent series, including a three-game sweep a season ago and a win on this same floor in March. Another of those wins include the American Conference title game in Fort Worth, Texas, where Memphis earned its second tournament title with an 84-72 victory. That history doesn't guarantee anything, but it does reinforce belief for the Tigers who have won.

Thursday night sets up as a measuring stick for both sides: UAB trying to flip its home fortunes, where the Blazers are 0-4 in conference play. Memphis, on the other hand, is chasing a statement road performance that could steady its conference footing. Either way, the margins figure to be thin and the stakes very real.

GAME DETAILS
Memphis Tigers (10-11, 5-4 American) at UAB Blazers (14-8, 5-4 American)
Thursday, February 5, 2026 | 8 p.m.
Bartow Arena (8,508); Birmingham, Alabama
Television: ESPN2 (John Schriffen, pxp; Chris Spatola, analyst)
Radio: 98.9 THE ROAR OF MEMPHIS (Dave Woloshin, pxp; Ken Moody, analyst)

BY THE NUMBERS

1st: Aaron Bradshaw is shooting 55.5 percent from the field and 75.9 percent at the free-throw line this season. He is the only American Conference player meeting those marks (minimum 90 FGA).
3: Dug McDaniel is one of only three Division I players this season with at least 275 points, 100 assists, 45 steals and 30 triples in 2025-26. The other two are Tyler Tanner (Vandy) and B.J. Edwards (SMU).
12: Dug McDaniel carries the longest active streak in Division I having recorded at least three assists and a steal in 12-straight contests. It is also the longest streak by a Memphis Tiger in the last 30 seasons.
22: The Tigers scored a season-high 50 points in the paint last week against Florida Atlantic. In three games against UAB last season, Memphis averaged 48.7 points in the paint, including a season high 54 against the Blazers on Jan. 26. Memphis has recorded 50+ points in the paint 22 times since 2018-19 under Penny Hardaway.
22.7: Sincere Parker is averaging 22.7 points per 40 minutes when coming off the bench this season, the highest mark in the American Conference (minimum 15 games).
He is the first Memphis player to average more than 20 points per 40 minutes off the bench since Jeremy Hunt in 2006-07.
33.2: Memphis leads the American and ranks 18th nationally with 33.2 bench points per game, on pace for the highest bench scoring average in American Conference history - topping the league's all-time mark (UTSA, 32.2 in 2023-24).
94.7: Memphis delivered one of the best free-throw shooting halves in program history in the second half against Tulane, knocking down 18-of-19 attempts (.947). It marked the highest free-throw percentage by the Tigers in any half since at least the 2013-14 (min. 15 FTA).

SCOUTING THE BLAZERS

UAB plays one of the cleanest brands of basketball in the country, ranking 38th nationally and first in the American in assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.56.
The Blazers like to play in transition, sitting 20th nationally and No. 1 in the league with 15.7 fastbreak points per game.
Ball security is a calling card for Andy Kennedy's group, as UAB ranks eighth nationally with just 9.1 turnovers per game, best in the conference.
UAB controls the glass at a high level, ranking 14th nationally at 41.3 rebounds per game and first in the American in defensive rebounds (27.8 per game).
The Blazers pressure opponents into mistakes, owning a +3.2 turnover margin, which ranks 34th nationally and first in the league.
UAB's physical style shows up at the line, where it ranks 41st nationally with 24.5 free-throw attempts per game.

UP NEXT
Memphis continues play this week, returning to FedExForum Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. to host American Conference leader Charlotte.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS:
For complete information on Memphis Tiger Men's Basketball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.