University of Memphis Athletics
Sunday, February 25
Storrs, Conn.
3 PM
University of Memphis
at
UConn
Tigers' first-year forward Kyvon Davenport (0) is the team's second-leading scorer (12.9 ppg) and its top rebounder (6.0 per game)
Photo by: Matthew Smith
Tigers travel to play UConn in final American road test
Feb 24, 2018 | Men's Basketball
Memphis will be without injured starting guard Jeremiah Martin
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis has been able to overcome the occasional absences of junior point guard Jeremiah Martin during the season, whether because of foul trouble or a sore hip.
The Tigers won an American Athletic Conference game at SMU with Martin watching in street clothes with a hip injury. And they came from behind in the second half Thursday night to upset No. 23 Houston at FedExForum with Martin sitting out with a then-undiagnosed foot issue.
But as the Tigers (17-11, 8-7 American) prepare for their final three regular-season league games starting Sunday at UConn, Martin's absences no longer will be temporary. The results of a Friday MRI showed Martin fractured a bone in his left foot against Houston and will miss four to six months. He'll undergo surgery Tuesday.
Without their most productive player – and the league's scoring leader – the Tigers will turn to senior Jimario Rivers and a cast of first-year contributors in hopes of finishing strong. Memphis and UConn (13-15, 6-9 American) tip off at 3 p.m. (CT) at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn. ESPN will carry the game.
Martin will end his junior season with an 18.9 scoring average, which leads the American by nearly a point over SMU's Shake Milton (18.0). UConn's Jalen Adams (17.8) is third.
UConn has lost six of eight and dropped a 73-49 decision to Memphis Jan. 16 at FedExForum. Adams missed Thursday's game at No. 11 Cincinnati due to an illness, but likely will play Sunday in what will be the next-to-last home game of the season for the Huskies.
Martin, who is expected to travel with the team, said he's confident the Tigers can prosper in the final games without him. Memphis enters the UConn game on a three-game win streak.
In the 91-86 upset of Houston, Rivers scored a career-high 21 points, as did first-year forward Raynere Thornton. Thornton finished with a season-best four 3-pointers and was 9-of-9 from the free throw line. Kareem Brewton, another first-year Tiger, took over at point guard and had five assists and two steals. First-year players Kyvon Davenport (13 points) and Mike Parks (9 points) contributed, too.
"We've got guys that can step up and make plays, such as Raynere and Jimario," Martin said. "Overall, a whole team effort was shown by everyone who played (against Houston). It was great."
Memphis finished with 18 assists on 26 field goals and shot 56 percent in the second half. The Tigers' 54 second-half points were their most in any half this season and an impressive total considering Houston was allowing on 64.6 points per game, which ranked 18th nationally.
"As for playing without (Martin), we have faith in our players," Memphis coach Tubby Smith said. "We have faith they will step up like they did last night and raise their level of play."
NOTABLES
+ In its past three games – all victories – the Tigers have been an accurate second-half team. Memphis shot 76 percent after halftime at SMU, 56 percent at Tulane and 61 percent against Houston.
+ UConn junior guard Jalen Adams has been named to the American Athletic Conference's Weekly Honor Roll four times this season, including a selection Monday for his performances against Tulsa and East Carolina last week.
+ The Tigers are unbeaten this year (10-0) when handing out 15 or more assists.
+ A win at UConn would give the Tigers a winning league record on the road this season. Memphis, which closes its league road schedule, is 4-4 in road conference games.
TIGERS vs. UCONN
When: 3 p.m. (CT), Sunday
Where: Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Conn.
TV: ESPN (Kevin Connors and Tim Welsh)
Radio: WREC-AM 600/Rock 103 FM
The Tigers won an American Athletic Conference game at SMU with Martin watching in street clothes with a hip injury. And they came from behind in the second half Thursday night to upset No. 23 Houston at FedExForum with Martin sitting out with a then-undiagnosed foot issue.
But as the Tigers (17-11, 8-7 American) prepare for their final three regular-season league games starting Sunday at UConn, Martin's absences no longer will be temporary. The results of a Friday MRI showed Martin fractured a bone in his left foot against Houston and will miss four to six months. He'll undergo surgery Tuesday.
Without their most productive player – and the league's scoring leader – the Tigers will turn to senior Jimario Rivers and a cast of first-year contributors in hopes of finishing strong. Memphis and UConn (13-15, 6-9 American) tip off at 3 p.m. (CT) at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn. ESPN will carry the game.
Martin will end his junior season with an 18.9 scoring average, which leads the American by nearly a point over SMU's Shake Milton (18.0). UConn's Jalen Adams (17.8) is third.
UConn has lost six of eight and dropped a 73-49 decision to Memphis Jan. 16 at FedExForum. Adams missed Thursday's game at No. 11 Cincinnati due to an illness, but likely will play Sunday in what will be the next-to-last home game of the season for the Huskies.
Martin, who is expected to travel with the team, said he's confident the Tigers can prosper in the final games without him. Memphis enters the UConn game on a three-game win streak.
In the 91-86 upset of Houston, Rivers scored a career-high 21 points, as did first-year forward Raynere Thornton. Thornton finished with a season-best four 3-pointers and was 9-of-9 from the free throw line. Kareem Brewton, another first-year Tiger, took over at point guard and had five assists and two steals. First-year players Kyvon Davenport (13 points) and Mike Parks (9 points) contributed, too.
"We've got guys that can step up and make plays, such as Raynere and Jimario," Martin said. "Overall, a whole team effort was shown by everyone who played (against Houston). It was great."
Memphis finished with 18 assists on 26 field goals and shot 56 percent in the second half. The Tigers' 54 second-half points were their most in any half this season and an impressive total considering Houston was allowing on 64.6 points per game, which ranked 18th nationally.
"As for playing without (Martin), we have faith in our players," Memphis coach Tubby Smith said. "We have faith they will step up like they did last night and raise their level of play."
NOTABLES
+ In its past three games – all victories – the Tigers have been an accurate second-half team. Memphis shot 76 percent after halftime at SMU, 56 percent at Tulane and 61 percent against Houston.
+ UConn junior guard Jalen Adams has been named to the American Athletic Conference's Weekly Honor Roll four times this season, including a selection Monday for his performances against Tulsa and East Carolina last week.
+ The Tigers are unbeaten this year (10-0) when handing out 15 or more assists.
+ A win at UConn would give the Tigers a winning league record on the road this season. Memphis, which closes its league road schedule, is 4-4 in road conference games.
TIGERS vs. UCONN
When: 3 p.m. (CT), Sunday
Where: Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Conn.
TV: ESPN (Kevin Connors and Tim Welsh)
Radio: WREC-AM 600/Rock 103 FM
Players Mentioned
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