Memphis Vs. UAB

Tigers -4 1/2 vs. Blazers

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Something has got to give Thursday night when two of the longest winning streaks are on the line. The fourth-ranked Memphis Tigers have won 18 games in a row, while the UAB Blazers have a more modest streak of six games, but the two teams will play each other very hard on Thursday as there is no love loss between the schools.

The Tigers (24-3) last year’s NCAA Tournament runners up had been largely forgotten through most of the season. But the fact that they could win 19 straight contests, people have taken notice. They will also take notice of a game against the Blazers (19-8, 9-3) as the bitter rivalry hit another wrinkle last season.

UAB was the last team to beat Memphis in league play. That game was nearly five days short of three solid years. That span has lasted 54 conference games and started the game after they were beat by UAB 80-74 on March 2, 2006.

Meanwhile the Blazers are undefeated at home this season and have won 26 of their last 27 games on their home court. The only loss in the span was to, you guessed it, the Tigers, 79-78 last February, in a game known more for its antics than on court play.

The Tigers stormed back with a 9-1 run over the last 1:23 of the game to give Memphis the lead, but when Lawrence Kinnard hit a jump shot as time expired, it seemed UAB had pulled off the upset. As college students tend to do after a big victory, they stormed the court. Upon subsequent replay views by the officials, it was determined the basket did not count.

This led to an incredible change in emotions from elated to angry for Blazer fans and disappointment to ecstatic for Tiger players. These strong emotions led to altercations between fans, throwing cups, water and liquor bottles onto the court and Memphis player Pierre Niles slapping a fan.

The first game following the incident was held in Memphis on January 17th with no incident and no drama on the court. The Tigers easily won 81-68.

Memphis has won six straight and eight out of the last ten in the series.

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