Memphis

[Queens_NYC]

Sunday, January 22nd, 2023
1:00 PM
Fifth Third Arena
ESPN2

The Bearcats (13-6 [5-2 AAC], KenPom #70, NET #82) welcome Memphis (14-5 [4-2 AAC], KenPom #36, NET #43) to Fifth Third Arena this weekend as these two storied programs face off for their 85th match-up (Bearcats lead the series 47-37).

The Tigers are looking to earn their second consecutive NCAA tournament bid under 5th-year head coach Penny Hardaway. They are led by SMU transfer and 5th year 5'11 guard Kendric Davis (21.2 ppg, 5.7 apg, 3.6 rpg) who currently leads the AAC in scoring and assists per game. Their frontcourt is powered by 26-year-old 6'9 forward Deandre Williams (16.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.4 apg).

Memphis is expected to be without two major contributors in 5th-year 6'0 guard Alex Lomax (8.1 ppg, 3.5 apg, 3.3 rpg) and 4th-year 6'9 center Malcolm Dandridge (6.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg) who have both recently missed games due to injury.

The Tigers play fast (18th nationally in Adjusted Tempo) and take less 3-point shots than any other team in the AAC with just over 17 attempts/game. They force a lot of turnovers (top 25) and are also doing a better job of taking care of the ball than in years past (top 1/3 of NCAA).

This game marks an opportunity for the Bearcats to earn their first NET "quality" (Q1/Q2) win of the 22/23 season. Memphis, on the other hand, has not lost a Q3/Q4 game yet this season (this game currently stands as a Q3 game for Memphis).