59:63 was the result as the two teams faced each other on the opening day of the 2024 Castle Lite National Basketball League and the Namuwongo Blazers were the team on the winning side.

The 2 teams played better after that but they both finished with an 8-3 record to close the first round.

In the second, they are both yet to lose a game with the Blazers being 7 in 7 while the Titans are 6 in 6. With the stakes high, a potential first, second, or even third seed on the line, the 2 teams come into this game knowing that this is the biggest test for them so far in the second round and it could be how either team approaches the playoffs.

The Blazers struggled in the first 4 second-round games as they trailed at halftime in all of them but have since turned around. They have won their last 2 games with comfortable margins, 17 and 16 against Our Savior and UCU Canons respectively.

The KIU Titans have looked really good more so in terms of assisting and scoring.  They had 30 assists against Power, the highest in a game week and they had 29 and 22 against Ndejje Angels and JT Jaguars respectively.

The Titans won by 26 against JT Jaguars and 53 against Ndejje Angels in their last 2 games and they hope to keep the same fire burning offensively against a top side in Namuwongo Blazers.

Nam Blazers

Season Record 15-3

Last 5 games

70:53 Our Savior (W)

109:93 UCU Canons (W)

91:83 KCCA Panthers (W)

85:82 Ndejje Angels (W)

62:60 JT Jaguars (W)

Top players

Joseph Chuma  13.4 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.4 BPG, 2 SPG

Peter Cheng 14.2 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.1 SPG

Jimmy Williams 21 PPG, 8 RPG, 6 APG, 3 SPG

KIU Titans

Season Record 14-3

Last 5 games

82:56 JT Jaguars (W)

106:53 Ndejje Angels (W)

91:67 Power (W)

88:48 Livingstone (W)

87:61 Our Savior (W)

Top players

Edgar Munaba 13.8 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.4 SPG

Joel Lukoji 10.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 6.5 APG, 3.1 APG

Kasereka Tembo 13.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 3 APG, 1.3 SPG

Head to Head

KIU Titans 59:63 Nam Blazers

KIU Titans 57:68 Nam Blazers

KIU Titans 74:69 Nam Blazers

KIU Titans 61:75 Nam Blazers

KIU Titans 50:69 Nam Blazers

Top matchups

KIU Titans Shooting vs Nam Blazers Points in the Paint

The KIU Titans have offense runs on mainly shooting. Edgar Munaba, Kasereka Tembo, Denis Omara, Ahmed Kassa, Collins Kasujja, and Brian Opio have all made their mark by shooting from distance. The Titans attempt 30.6 shots from 3-point range while the Nam Blazers take 23.2 per game.

On the other hand, the Blazers attempt 48.4 from 2P compared to 43.5 for the Titans. 

The biggest task for the Blazers will be, can they make the KIU Titans make difficult shots?

When the Titans are left open, it has always been very easy for them to run riot given the high level of marksmanship that is available on their roster. The Blazers have to defend very well on the perimeter and given that the Titans rarely drive and kick out, the Blazers know exactly what to expect, good ball movement from the Titans and so they have to always be alert.

The Blazers on the other hand have to just keep attacking the paint. Jimmy Williams will be a very key weapon and just like she showed against UCU Canons, he can drive the ball, draw defense, and then kick it out to open teammates.

Joseph Chuma has one job, to keep himself open and score when given the opportunity. His shooting is like no and if he can get a couple of open shots, there is no excuse not to walk away with 20 points.