Blazers Look to Bounce Back Today Against South Florida

By Steve Irvine

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - January 4, 2026

UAB opened up American Conference play with a head-shaking home loss to Wichita State. Andy Kennedy’s message to his team about moving forward was clear.

“We have got to play more determined,” Kennedy said.

That begins on Sunday at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, which is one of the toughest venues to play in the American Conference. South Florida, which plays host to the Blazers, is 8-5 overall but have won all six of its home games. The Bulls will try to extend the home winning streak in a game that tips off at noon CT and will be telecast on ESPN2.

One of the key areas on Sunday will be UAB’s ability to win the rebounding battle. The Blazers outrebounded their opponent in 12 of 14 games this season but they are coming off a game when they were dominated on the boards, particularly in the final half of the 75-70 loss to Wichita State. The Shockers outrebounded UAB, 40-30, with 15 rebounds coming on the offensive end. Evan Chatman, KyeRon Lindsay-Martin and Daniel Rivera combined for 11 rebounds in the game, which was about half of what those three usually contribute on the boards. But the problem on the boards was deeper than just the frontcourt production.

Now, the Blazers face a USF team that is currently ranked first in the American in overall rebounds per game (42.2) and offensive rebounds per game (15.9). Izaiyah Nelson, a 6-foot-10 senior, who came from Arkansas State with head coach Bryan Hodgson, leads the American and is 21st in the country with 9.8 rebounds per game.

In this case, despite the performance against Wichita State, it’s strength on strength. UAB is second in the conference in overall rebounds per game (41.9), offensive rebounds per game (14.6) and defensive rebounds (27.3) and third in rebounding margin (plus-7.7).

UAB has also done a good job in avoiding turnovers for the most part but struggled in that area in the second half against Wichita State. UAB averages 9.7 turnovers per game, which is second in the conference, but nobody forces more turnovers in the American than USF. The Bulls are forcing a conference best 16.6 turnovers per game and lead the conference in turnover margin at plus-5.31 per game. Joseph Pinion, another Arkansas State transfer, leads the conference with 2.2 steals per game.

Expect a high-scoring game with USF averaging a conference best 91.1 points per game and UAB coming in at fourth in the American a 82.3 points per game.  Nelson is one of five USF players scoring in double figures. Nelson averages 15.3 points per game with Pinion (14.5 ppg, 46 3-pointers) and CJ Brown (14.3 ppg) the next two.     

UAB needs more offensive consistency to find a way to win on the road. The Blazers were bolstered by the return of Jacob Meyer, who had 15 points in his return from an ankle injury. But it will be hard for the Blazers if Chance Westry and Ahmad Robinson struggle.