An American Athletic Conference rivalry is renewed as the Memphis Tigers travel to Birmingham to take on the UAB Blazers. With Memphis desperate to turn its season around and UAB looking to defend its home court, this late-night clash has all the makings of a hard-fought conference battle. We’re breaking down the odds, trends, and key matchups to find the sharpest betting angle.

1. Game Overview:

• Matchup: Memphis Tigers (Away) vs. UAB Blazers (Home)
• Date: Monday, February 5th
• Time: 9:00 PM EST
• Location: Bartow Arena, Birmingham, Alabama
• TV: ESPN2

2. Team Form and Analysis:

Memphis Tigers: The Tigers enter this contest in a difficult spot, hovering below .500 on the season. Historically a powerhouse, this Memphis squad has struggled to find consistency, particularly on the road where they are “searching for ways to beat UAB in Birmingham,” as one local report noted. Their offense can be potent, but defensive lapses and an inability to close out games away from home have plagued them. Adding to their woes are potential injury concerns, which could limit their depth and effectiveness in this crucial conference game.

UAB Blazers: The Blazers have put together a solid season, boasting a strong winning record built on the foundation of a significant scoring margin. Playing in the friendly confines of Bartow Arena, UAB has established itself as a tough out for any opponent. While not without their own inconsistencies, they have demonstrated a much higher floor than their opponents. With a more stable record and the advantage of playing in front of their home crowd, the Blazers come into this matchup with a clear edge in form and confidence.

3. Standings & Trends Analysis:

This is where the story of the game truly takes shape. A deep dive into the data reveals a critical, lopsided trend.

• Overall Record: UAB holds a clear advantage with a 14-8 (63.6%) record, while Memphis sits at a disappointing 10-11 (47.6%). This stark difference paints a picture of two teams on different trajectories this season.
• Against the Spread (ATS) Performance: Both teams have identical 11-10-0 overall ATS records, covering 52.4% of the time. However, the home/away splits tell the real tale. UAB has a losing 5-6-0 ATS record at home, suggesting they are often overvalued by the market in their own building. But this is completely overshadowed by Memphis’s road performance. The Tigers have been a betting disaster away from home, posting an abysmal 1-6-0 ATS record on the road. This indicates they consistently fail to meet market expectations when they are the visiting team.
• Over/Under (Totals) Performance: Both teams have trended towards the under this season. UAB’s record is 9-12-0 (57.1% Under), and Memphis’s is 10-11-0 (52.4% Under). This suggests that while both teams have offensive capabilities, their games have finished below the projected total more often than not.

4. Betting Odds Analysis:

• Moneyline: Memphis +122 | UAB -146
• Point Spread: Memphis +2.5 (-115) | UAB -2.5 (-105)
• Total (Over/Under): 154.5

The betting market has installed UAB as a moderate home favorite, with the -146 moneyline implying a nearly 60% probability of winning the game outright. The point spread is tight at just 2.5 points, signaling that oddsmakers expect a close contest decided by a single possession. The slightly reduced juice on UAB’s side (-105) suggests some confidence from bookmakers and early bettors that the Blazers will win by at least three points. The total of 154.5 is high for a college game, projecting an up-tempo, high-scoring affair, which is a direct contrast to both teams’ season-long under trends.

5. Prediction & Betting Angle:

This matchup presents one of the most compelling and actionable trends in sports betting: a team that simply cannot cover the spread on the road.

While UAB’s 5-6 ATS record at home isn’t inspiring, it’s nothing compared to the glaring weakness of their opponent. Memphis’s 1-6 ATS record in road games is impossible to ignore. They are not just losing on the road; they are losing by margins greater than the market expects time and time again.

The spread is small. UAB only needs to win by three points to cover. Given their superior overall record (14-8 vs. 10-11) and the home-court advantage, asking them to win by more than a basket against a struggling road team is a reasonable proposition. While the high game total is tempting, the stronger play is to fade a team with a demonstrated and catastrophic inability to perform on the road.

Final Score Prediction: UAB 81, Memphis 75

The Pick: Memphis’s struggles on the road are well-documented and statistically proven this season. Given their abysmal 1-6 ATS away record, laying a small number with the superior home team is the clear angle. The Pick: UAB -2.5 (-105)

Disclaimer: This article is for entertainment purposes only. All betting information is provided for informational purposes and is not a recommendation to wager.

Sources:
UAB Athletics Men’s Basketball History vs University of Memphis
University of Memphis Athletics Men’s Basketball History vs UAB
Memphis Men’s Basketball Head-to-Head Results
Men’s Basketball History vs University of Memphis … – Tulane Athletics
Charlotte Athletics Men’s Basketball History vs University of Memphis
Men’s Basketball History vs University of Memphis
Men’s Basketball History vs UAB from Jan 25, 1979 – USF Athletics
Memphis vs UAB team men’s basketball how to watch, odds, injuries …
How to Watch UAB vs. Memphis: Time, TV Channel, Live Stream
Florida Atlantic University Athletics Men’s Basketball History vs UAB