Under the Radar Game of the Day – Sunday, February 21: UAB at Middle Tennessee

Under the Radar Game of the Day: UAB at Middle Tennessee, 6:00 PM Eastern, CBS Sports Network

The Under the Radar Game of the Day heads to Murfreesboro, Tennessee today for what may be the game of the year in Conference USA.  UAB currently sits in sole possession of first pace in the conference, at 11-2 in CUSA play and 21-5 overall.  The Blazers have only lost twice since December 1, though one of those losses came in their last game at Louisiana Tech.  Sophomore Chris Coley leads the way for UAB so far this season, though he had one of his worst games when these two teams met back on January 3 in Birmingham, being held to only 4 points.  Robert Brown and Nick Norton each scored 14 in that game to lead the Blazers to a 78-67 win.  If all three players come together for a solid game this evening, and get help from talented teammates like William Lee, UAB can move closer to locking up the conference regular season title.  If not, we could be in for a battle the rest of the way with these two teams and surprising Marshall.

Middle Tennessee enters play today a game behind UAB at 10-3 in conference and 18-7 overall.  The Blue Raiders’ RPI of 80 is tops in the conference.  Reggie Upshaw was the top player for Middle Tennessee in their earlier loss at UAB, scoring 21 points while pulling down 6 rebounds.  He has had seven double-doubles so far this season, including a very impressive 21 point, 13 rebound effort in a win over Auburn.  The Blue Raiders will need another big effort from Upshaw and his teammates if they want to tie UAB at the top of the conference standings and take their own shot at winning the top seed in the conference tournament.