Tulane defeats UAB 54-55

The Tulane Green Wave, ranked 199 in the NET, pulled off a stunning 55-54 upset over the UAB Blazers, ranked 113, in a low-scoring affair at Bartow Arena, handing UAB a devastating loss that could severely impact their tournament hopes. This was a Quad 4 game for UAB, a loss that will undoubtedly raise eyebrows, especially considering the Blazers' recent form, where they had been averaging 74.8 points per game over their last 5 outings, outscoring opponents by 3.0 points per game. In contrast, Tulane had been struggling, averaging 73.8 points per game while being outscored by 3.6 points per game over their last 5 games, which included a 77-66 win over Temple and a 78-76 win at Memphis. The Green Wave's 36-point first half, however, set the tone for the game, as they managed to hold off a late UAB surge, led by Dayjaun Anderson's 16 points and 7 rebounds.

The Blazers' inability to contain Tulane's Rowan Brumbaugh, who finished with 17 points and 8 rebounds, was a significant factor in their loss. Brumbaugh's performance, combined with Asher Woods' 14 points and 5 rebounds, and Scotty Middleton's 12 points and 9 rebounds, was enough to overcome UAB's strong rebounding effort, led by Evan Chatman's 12 points and 13 rebounds, and Daniel Rivera's 12 points and 11 rebounds. Tulane's 55 points were their lowest output in 10 games, but it was enough to secure the win, thanks in large part to their 36-point first half, which included 12 points from Brumbaugh and 10 points from Woods. The Green Wave's 19-point second half, however, was a different story, as they struggled to find their rhythm, scoring just 6 points in the final 10 minutes of the game.

The stat lines don't tell the whole story, as Brumbaugh's big shots and Woods' clutch free throws were the difference-makers in the game. Meanwhile, UAB's Anderson and Chatman had strong games, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Blazers' poor shooting, which saw them go 2-for-14 from three-point range. Tulane's defense, which had been allowing 77.4 points per game over their last 5 outings, held UAB to just 54 points, their lowest output in 12 games. The Green Wave's win was also notable for their ability to overcome a 12-point deficit in the second half, as they outscored UAB 14-6 over the final 8 minutes of the game.

The CHD Scout prediction had UAB winning by 8.6 points, but that was incorrect, as Tulane's strong first half and timely shooting in the second half secured the win.

The prediction model missed the mark due to UAB's uncharacteristic cold shooting, as they went 2-for-14 from three-point range, and Tulane's ability to contain the Blazers' high-powered offense, which had been averaging 74.8 points per game over their last 5 outings. The model also didn't account for Tulane's strong rebounding effort, led by Middleton's 9 rebounds, which helped to limit UAB's second-chance opportunities. The Blazers' recent trend of outscoring opponents by 3.0 points per game over their last 5 games also didn't hold up, as they were outscored by 1 point in this game.

The loss is a significant blow to UAB's tournament hopes, as they had been trending upwards with a 4-1 record over their last 5 games, including wins over Tulsa, Rice, and North Texas. This loss, however, drops them to 16-11, and with a NET ranking of 113, they must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for the tournament. On the other hand, Tulane's win improves their record to 16-10, and with a NET ranking of 199, they still have an outside chance of making the tournament, although it's a long shot. The Green Wave's recent trend of being outscored by 3.6 points per game over their last 5 outings must be reversed if they hope to make a push for the tournament.

The win for Tulane doesn't necessarily put them in the tournament conversation, but it does give them a Quad 2 win, which could be valuable come selection time. For UAB, the loss is a Quad 4 loss, which could be damaging to their tournament hopes, especially considering their recent trend of outscoring opponents by 3.0 points per game over their last 5 games. The Blazers must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for the tournament, as this loss drops them to 16-11, and with a NET ranking of 113, they must win out and hope for some help from other teams to make the tournament. The loss also highlights the importance of UAB's upcoming games, as they must win at least 2 of their remaining 3 games to have a chance at making the tournament.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and playing tenacious defense. Tulane's 36-point first half was the highest output of the game, and it was the difference-maker, as UAB was unable to overcome the deficit. The Blazers' 28-point second half was their highest output of the half, but it wasn't enough to overcome Tulane's strong defense, which held them to just 2-for-14 from three-point range. The Green Wave's win was also notable for their ability to overcome a 12-point deficit in the second half, as they outscored UAB 14-6 over the final 8 minutes of the game. The win improves Tulane's record to 16-10, and with a NET ranking of 199, they still have an outside chance of making the tournament, although it's a long shot.

In the end, Tulane's 55-54 win over UAB will be remembered as one of the biggest upsets of the season, as the Green Wave pulled off a stunning victory over a team that was trending upwards. The loss is a significant blow to UAB's tournament hopes, and it will be interesting to see how they respond in their upcoming games. For Tulane, the win gives them a much-needed boost, and they want to build on this momentum as they head into the final stretch of the season. The Green Wave's strong defense, which held UAB to just 54 points, will be key to their success, as they look to make a push for the tournament. With 3 games remaining, Tulane must win at least 2 of them to have a chance at making the tournament, and their upcoming games against Temple, Wichita State, and Memphis matters in determining their fate.