Tigers Host East Carolina on Sunday

Sunday, January 24

Memphis, Tenn.

1 pm

University of Memphis

East Carolina

Tickets

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Jan 23, 2016 | Men's Basketball

GAME INFORMATION
Memphis (12-6, 3-2 AAC) vs. East Carolina (8-11, 0-6 AAC)
When: Sunday, January 24, 2016
Tip-Off: 1 p.m. (CT)
Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Arena: FedExForum
TV: CBS Sports Network
Pete Pranica, play-by-play
Steve Wolf, analyst
Gary Parrish, sideline
Radio: Memphis Radio Network / 600 WREC
Dave Woloshin, play-by-play
Matt Dillon, analyst
Forrest Goodman, pregame/postgame host
Live Stats: Memphis GameTracker
Game Notes: Memphis | East Carolina
Roster: Memphis | East Carolina
Schedule: Memphis | East Carolina
Media Guide: Memphis | East Carolina

SETTING THE TABLE

•     Memphis and East Carolina have the only two freshman in the American Athletic Conference to average nine points and 5.5 rebounds per game (Memphis' Dedric Lawson and East Carolina's Kentrell Barkley)
•     Memphis senior forward Shaq Goodwin was named as a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award
•     Memphis and East Carolina each have two players sitting in the top-10 in American Athletic Conference scoring
•     Memphis is 27-14 all-time against schools that are within the state border of North Carolina
•     Memphis is 118-12 all-time under head coach Josh Pastner when leading at halftime
•     The game features a team that ranks second in the country in percentage of points coming from the free throw line (Memphis), and another that ranks 53rd in fewest fouls committed (East Carolina)
•     Memphis is 9-1 this season when Dedric Lawson leads the team in rebounding
•     Shaq Goodwin needs 17 points to climb four spots from 30th to 26th in program history in career scoring
•     Memphis is 22-4 all-time on January 24
•     Memphis' 10-of-22 effort from long range against Cincinnati not only tied a season-high for three-point makes, but is also a season-high in percentage (.455)
•     Memphis has led in games this season for a total of six hours, 25 minutes, and 28 seconds, while trailing for just four hours, 37 minutes, and 31 seconds

SCOUTING THE PIRATES

East Carolina comes into the game looking to snap out of its current six-game losing skid, while also looking for the team's first win away from home during the year.

In the team's last game, an 84-69 loss at home against Tulsa, B.J. Tylson scored a team-best 16 points, while Caleb White and Prince Williams each scored 13. Kentrell Barkley finished just shy of a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds, while also tying for the team lead with four assists (along with White and Tyson).

For the season, the Pirates are led by the duo of Tyson and White who average 14.5 and 14.1 points per game, each. Barkley averages 9.2 points and 5.9 points off of the bench, with Williams chipping in 7.3 points per game while also dishing out a team-best 72 assists.

HE'S GOT CLASS

On Wednesday afternoon, it was announced the Memphis senior forward Shaq Goodwin was named as one of 30 finalists for the Senior CLASS Award. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. The Senior CLASS Award winners will be announced during the 2016 NCAA Men's Final Four.

HIGH SCORING PAIRS

This year in the American Athletic Conference, both Memphis and East Carolina have a pair of players ranked inside of the top-10 in scoring. For Memphis, it is Dedric Lawson (7th) and Shaq Goodwin (10th), and for East Carolina B.J. Tyson (6th) and Caleb White (8th). Only Tulsa, with James Woodard (2nd) and Shaquille Harrison (3rd) are a higher scoring pair than the two teams for Sunday's game.

MEMPHIS VS. SCHOOLS IN NORTH CAROLINA

There are 18 schools within the state of North Carolina that play athletics in NCAA's top division. That stands as the fourth-most Division I schools within a state border, behind only California (24), New York (22), and Texas (21). Against those 18 schools, Memphis has faced half, to a 27-14 all-time record, including a 10-2 mark under current head coach Josh Pastner.

SOPMETHING HAS TO GIVE

For the second straight game, Memphis - one of the country's best at getting to the free throw line - faces off against a team that is ranked among the nation's leaders in fewest fouls per game. Memphis ranks third in the country in free throws made, where East Carolina sits 53rd in personal fouls per game (17.5).

INJURY-RIDDLED PIRATES

According to the East Carolina website, the Pirates will likely be without their two leading scorers mentioned two notes earlier, who were both injured in their game against Tulsa on Wednesday. If that pair does miss the game, it will mark 40 percent of the team's offense that will be unable to play.

EFFICIENT OFFENSES

East Carolina comes into the game ranked 21st in the country in the percentage of points coming from an assist (62.7 percent - 279 assists on 445 made baskets). Memphis ranks 44th in the same category, as 59.5 percent of Memphis' baskets come from assists (269 assists on 452 made baskets).

ALL-TIME SERIES AGAINST EAST CAROLINA

Memphis has faced off against East Carolina 17 times, with the Tigers holding a commanding 15-2 all-time advantage. In the series, the margin has been within seven points just four times total.