Tigers await matchup in Miami against unbeaten and 20th-ranked Texas Tech

Saturday, December 1

Miami, Fla.

1:30 PM

University of Memphis

Texas Tech

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Senior guard Jeremiah Martin moved into the school's 1,000-point club Sunday.

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Tigers await matchup in Miami against unbeaten and 20th-ranked Texas Tech

Nov 30, 2018 | Men's Basketball

Memphis Notes (vs. Texas Tech)Texas Tech Notes (vs. Memphis)

UofM ends four-game Florida swing with game in Hoophall Miami Invitational

By: Phil Stukenborg

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Less than a week after playing in an early season event in Florida, the Universty of Memphis men's basketball team returns to the Sunshine State for another.

This time, the challenge will be greater.

The Tigers (3-3), who went 1-2 at the AdvoCare Invitational in Orlando, will be in South Beach to participate in the Air Force Reserve Hoophall Miami Invitational at AmericanAirlines Arena. The Tigers will meet 20^th-ranked Texas Tech, off to a 6-0 start after reaching the NCAA's Elite Eight for the first time in program history last season.

Memphis coach Penny Hardaway expects the most difficult battle of his first season as the Red Raiders, led by sophomore Jarrett Culver, have won each of their games by 15 or more points. Culver, a 6-foot-5 guard, is averaging 18.8 points and 5.2 rebounds.

"We've been working hard the last couple of days," Hardaway said. "We are just trying to get geared up for a really good Texas Tech team, really good.

"I've watched a couple of their games. They were down by 17 in one of those games and still came back and won. They make you play the game the right way, for the entire 40 minutes, not just a half. We have our work cut out for us."

Much of the credit for the double-digit wins goes to placing one of the nation's best defensive squads on the floor. Texas Tech has limited its opposition to 33.6 percent shooting (No. 2 nationally) and 51 points (No. 3 nationally).

"Their coaching staff has put a culture in and they understand what they are playing for," Hardaway said. "There are no wasted minutes out of anyone out there on the floor. When you are out there, you know exactly what you need to be doing, at a high intensity."

The Tigers are averaging 78 points per game, while shooting 43.4 percent. Seniors Kyvon Davenport and Jeremiah Martin lead the UofM in scoring at 14.5 and 14.0 points respectively. Martin became the 52^nd person in program history to surpass 1,000 points in a career during Sunday's game against Charleston in the AdvoCare Invitational.

In Orlando, the UofM lost its opening game to Oklahoma State, beat Canisius by eight and lost to Charleston, 78-75. Freshman Tyler Harris has scored 20 or more points in three games for the Tigers this season. Davenport, who has come off the bench the past two games, has been consistent.

"I think I'm learning how to coach this team," Hardaway said.

QUICK FACTS

Texas Tech assistant Glynn Cyprien is a familiar face to the UofM. Cyprien was a Memphis assistant from 2009 to '11. Last season, he served as head coach of the Memphis Hustle, the NBA's G League affiliate of the Memphis Grizzlies.
In the opening game of the Hoophall Miami Invitational, former UofM coach Josh Pastner will lead his Georgia Tech team against St. John's. Pastner served as UofM coach from 2009 to '16 and compiled a 167-73 record in those seven seasons.
Tiger coach Penny Hardaway played his final NBA season with the Miami Heat in 2007-08.
Tiger assistant Mike Miller was a member of the 2012 and '13 Miami Heat teams that won NBA titles.
The Red Raiders and Tigers are meeting for the seventh time. Memphis leads the series, 6-0, but hasn't played Texas Tech since an 80-55 victory in Lubbock 33 years ago.
Memphis forward Isaiah Maurice and the Red Raiders' Deshawn Corprew were teammates last season at South Plains College.
With the Tiger football program playing Saturday in Orlando for the American Athletic Conference title, history will be made. It will be the first time in the school's athletics' history that football and men's basketball play on the same day in a state other than Tennessee.