Men's basketball travels to New Orleans to battle Tulane

Sunday, January 13

New Orleans, La.

5 PM

University of Memphis

Tulane

Tickets

Freshman guard Tyler Harris led the Tigers with 16 points off the bench against East Carolina.

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Men's basketball travels to New Orleans to battle Tulane

Jan 12, 2019 | Men's Basketball

Tigers, Green Wave tip off at 5 p.m. Sunday at Fogelman Arena

By: Phil Stukenborg

NEW ORLEANS, La. – University of Memphis coach Penny Hardaway made an unexpected lineup change before Thursday's American Athletic Conference game against ECU.

Hardaway started guard Kareem Brewton and forward Kyvon Davenport in place of two freshman and the result was an all-senior lineup.

Although the Tigers (10-6, 2-1) won, 78-72, over the Pirates, Hardaway wasn't extremely pleased with the effort and energy his seniors provided. But he admitted he hasn't given up on the group. He said they'll be needed as the season marches through January and February.

"This is a team game," Hardaway said "It's not going to move forward without the seniors. They are the guys who have seen this league last year and understand what's going on. They have to talk to the freshman and guys who haven't been here."

Seniors Davenport and Jeremiah Martin, a preseason first-team all-league selection, lead the Tigers in scoring through 16 games. Davenport averages 15.3 points and 7.8 rebounds and Martin averages 14.4 points. Brewton ranks fourth at 8.9 points per game.

Hardaway and his seniors – along with a talented freshman class -- will have another opportunity at 5 p.m. Sunday when the Tigers play in New Orleans against Tulane (4-11, 0-3).

The Green Wave has lost five straight and haven't won since beating Texas Southern, 77-70, nearly a month ago. Tulane's most significant win came against South Dakota State, a quality opponent and perennial NCAA participant the Tigers defeated Dec. 4 in Memphis.

Tulane is under the direction of third-year coach Mike Dunleavy Sr., the former NBA coach who has a 24-53 record at the school.

While the Tigers have won 13 of their past 15 in New Orleans, Hardaway isn't walking into Fogelman Arena overconfident

"I'm never going to take a team for granted," Hardaway said. "I've been watching (video) of this team since the beginning of the season. They're getting better and better every game. Their record doesn't indicate how well they are going to play, especially at home."

QUICK FACTS

The Tigers have won 13 of their past 15 games in New Orleans. Two of those wins came in the 2007 NCAA Tournament.
Tigers coach Penny Hardaway averaged 21.5 points in his two games against Tulane as a UofM guard. His 3-pointer won the 1991-92 matchup.
After shooting 50 percent or better in five of six games before the Jan. 6 game at Houston, the Tigers have slipped, but only slightly. They shot 48 percent against Houston and 48 percent Thursday night against ECU.
UofM guard Jeremiah Martin continues to gradually climb the school's career-scoring list. His, 1,147 points are tied for 34^th. He is 24 points shy of catching former Tiger great Vincent Askew (1,171 points), who is alone in 31^st place.
Tulane coach Mike Dunleavy Sr., and Hardaway are two of 27 former NBA players coaching at the NCAA Division 1 level.