Panthers Brace for Road Test in Birmingham (Josh's Take)

For the first time this season, the High Point Panthers will play as a visitor in what could be their toughest test of the non-conference schedule.

HPU will play UAB of the American Athletic Conference Friday night at 7:30 p.m. ET in a return trip of the teams’ home-and-home series.

Last year, the Panthers held off the Blazers in a 68-65 nail-biter with the support of over 5,000 fans at the Qubein Center. Friday’s matchup at Bartow Arena will be the second time these programs have ever met.

High Point overcame a sluggish start Tuesday night against Jacksonville and ultimately coasted to an 85-64 victory to move to 3-0.

The same can’t be said for UAB.

The Blazers collapsed down the stretch resulting in a stunning 77-74 loss to in-state foe Alabama State.

It’s common knowledge not to kick a hornets’ nest. Likewise, it’s unwise to provoke a dragon (or blazer) in its den.  

Here are five things to watch ahead of this marquee mid-major matchup.

TAKING CARE OF THE ROCK

Through Wednesday night’s games, HPU currently leads all of Division I with a 15.0 turnover margin and a 6.3% turnover percentage on their possessions. The Panthers boast a 2.81 assist-to-turnover ratio, good for third nationally, and are top 10 in forced turnovers (22 per game) and turnovers committed (7 per game).

UAB also ranks among the top 75 in forcing turnovers, as they are tied for 61^st with an average of 17 turnovers forced per game. The Blazers haven’t taken as good of care of the basketball in their two-game skid though, posting consecutive games of 14 and 12 turnovers.

Keeping the turnover margin in check will benefit the purple and white in their first true road test.

SO MUCH FOR SPRAWLBALL

In the modern landscape of basketball, the three-pointer reigns supreme amongst analytics gurus.

Andy Kennedy’s crew is defying this recent trend, but not in a good way.

UAB is shooting 21.1% from 3-point range on the season with only 18% of their shot selection coming from downtown. Both statistics rank in the bottom 25 of Division I.

Where the Blazers thrive is inside the arc. A whopping 64% of their attempts are two-pointers, which is the sixth highest in the country.

Two-point defense has been a rare weak spot in the Panthers’ early season play, as it’s an area on the floor where they allow a 54.4% shooting percentage

If HPU can continue its three-game streak of making eight or more 3-pointers per game, the Panthers can outrun UAB even if the interior defense is vulnerable.

CLEANING THE GLASS

Perhaps the most glaring issue of the miniscule list of negatives for HPU so far this season is their rebounding.

Excluding the Averett game, the Panthers have been outrebounded 84-66 in games against fellow D1 competition. HPU opponents have snatched offensive rebounds on 37.3% of their misses.

UAB ranks among the top 50 nationally with 15.67 offensive rebounds per game and have recorded 15 or more offensive rebounds in all three games this season.

A much better rebounding effort will be needed in Birmingham for a victory.

BLAZING DOWN THE COURT

UAB has operated as a top 100 tempo offense in three of the past five seasons, but this season marks the quickest they have played under Kennedy in that timeframe.

The Blazers rank 30^th in adjusted tempo and 28^th when it comes to average offensive possession length.

HPU ranks more towards the middle of the pack at 173^rd in tempo. The Panthers have slowed opponents on defense so far, ranking 251^st in average defensive possession length.

More of the same will be needed to not fall into a track meet on the Blazers’ home floor.

DOES DEFENSE TRAVEL?

Speaking of defense, a vast improvement in the Flynn Clayman era has come on the defensive end of the floor.

The Panthers’ adjusted defensive efficiency of 127^th is currently the highest in program history and only the second time ever that HPU ranks in the top 150. A key contributor to this trend comes from active hands. HPU has forced 48 steals through three games, a figure that’s tied for fifth nationally, and 16 steals per game which is tied for second on a per-game basis.

UAB has been susceptible to steals offensively, with 11.1% of their possessions resulting in a lost ball. However, the Blazers have been among the nation’s top 10 on non-steal turnover percentage at 3.4% of their trips.

If HPU can keep up the defensive pressure, they will be able to mitigate the Blazers’ attack.

FINAL THOUGHTS

HPU faces its toughest test head on and escapes Birmingham with a perfect record intact.

Josh’s pick: High Point 77, UAB 73