(10) SMU vs. (2) UAB

Noon, Today at the FedEx Forum

Series History — (Tied, 1-1)

This is only the third meeting between these two teams. UAB won the regular season match-up in Dallas on Feb. 25, 73-68. Previously, SMU defeated the Blazers 79-63 in the second round of the Rainbow Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii on Dec. 29, 1983.

SMU – is coming off of its first tournament win in two seasons. The Mustangs held Rice to only 29 percent shooting from the field in the first half on Wednesday. SMU also beat the Owls in the paint, outscoring them 32-20. The Mustangs led UAB by as many as 10 points when the two played a few weeks ago, before faltering in the second half.

UAB – enters the tournament on a six game winning streak. The Blazers upset regular season champion Memphis 80-74 on March 2. UAB ended the regular season with a 22-5 record, the best in school history. UAB has received votes in both the Associated Press and the USA Today Coaches poll since early January and is mentioned as an NCAA Tournament team.

Key Players

Marvett McDonald – The Mustangs couldn’t keep McDonald under control in Dallas, when he scored a career high 39 points – including eight three pointers. SMU must find a way to ensure that McDonald’s accuracy from downtown doesn’t put the game out of reach like it did last time.

Squeaky Johnson – SMU held him to five points and two steals in Dallas, but he wasn’t named to the C-USA first team without a good reason. He’s one of the national leaders in steals, and SMU must neutralize him to remain competitive.

Bryan Hopkins – While the senior went scoreless in the Rice game, he must be a presence on the offensive end for the Mustangs to keep up with the fast paced Blazers. Against Rice, Hopkins had season high 10 rebounds and six assists.

Donatas Rackauskas – The junior stepped up in the first round game and must do so again, as he is SMU’s only big man in Memphis. He had seven rebounds and four points against UAB in Dallas.

í- Mark Norris