University of Memphis Athletics
Tuesday, November 5
Memphis, Tenn.
7 PM
University of Memphis
vs
South Carolina State
Tyler Harris is one of three returnees for the 2019-20 Tigers' basketball team.
Photo by: Matthew A. Smith
Tigers open season against S.C. State
Nov 04, 2019 | Men's Basketball
Wiseman prepared to make his debut as UofM tips off 2019-20 campaign.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After a four-game foreign tour in the Bahamas during mid-August and two exhibition games last month against CBU and LeMoyne-Owen, the University of Memphis basketball team officially tips off the 2019-20 season.
Tuesday night at 7, the 14th-ranked Tigers will play host to South Carolina State at FedExForum, a game as anticipated for the start of coach Penny Hardaway's second season as it is for the debut of 7-foot-1 All-American James Wiseman.
Wiseman did not play in the Bahamas or in the exhibitions while rehabbing from separate injuries, but the former Memphis East High star and nation's top-ranked prep basketball player will be in the lineup against SC State.
"He covers a lot of ground," Hardaway said of Wiseman. "On the defensive end, he's out there stretched out long. He's very quick and athletic and causes a lot of problems.
"Offensively, we can get a matchup and throw it toward the rim and he'll go get it. That's a great luxury to have on both sides of the floor."
Wiseman's teammates are looking forward to playing with their big man operating in the paint.
"He's a big piece of what we'll do," said freshman guard Damion Baugh. "And he has a big impact in the paint."
Wiseman has been named to multiple preseason All-America teams and was the American Athletic Conference's pick for Preseason Rookie of the Year. He also was a first-team selection on the American's preseason all-conference team.
The addition of Wiseman and Precious Achiuwa, both 5-star players, to last year's signing class allowed the Tigers to have the nation's No. 1 recruiting class. Other members of the class include D.J. Jefferies, Baugh, Boogie Ellis, Lester Quinones and Malcolm Dandridge.
"All of us are ready to do something special this season," Jefferies said.
The Tigers are looking to return to the NCAA tournament for the first time in five years. Last year's team reached the second round of the National Invitation Tournament.
This year's group, which includes returnees Tyler Harris, Alex Lomax and Isaiah Maurice, understands the spotlight is shining brightly on them, but it appears to welcome the attention.
"The season is here and it's time to play," Ellis said. "I'm really excited to play with my brothers and live up to our expectations."
Tuesday night at 7, the 14th-ranked Tigers will play host to South Carolina State at FedExForum, a game as anticipated for the start of coach Penny Hardaway's second season as it is for the debut of 7-foot-1 All-American James Wiseman.
Wiseman did not play in the Bahamas or in the exhibitions while rehabbing from separate injuries, but the former Memphis East High star and nation's top-ranked prep basketball player will be in the lineup against SC State.
"He covers a lot of ground," Hardaway said of Wiseman. "On the defensive end, he's out there stretched out long. He's very quick and athletic and causes a lot of problems.
"Offensively, we can get a matchup and throw it toward the rim and he'll go get it. That's a great luxury to have on both sides of the floor."
Wiseman's teammates are looking forward to playing with their big man operating in the paint.
"He's a big piece of what we'll do," said freshman guard Damion Baugh. "And he has a big impact in the paint."
Wiseman has been named to multiple preseason All-America teams and was the American Athletic Conference's pick for Preseason Rookie of the Year. He also was a first-team selection on the American's preseason all-conference team.
The addition of Wiseman and Precious Achiuwa, both 5-star players, to last year's signing class allowed the Tigers to have the nation's No. 1 recruiting class. Other members of the class include D.J. Jefferies, Baugh, Boogie Ellis, Lester Quinones and Malcolm Dandridge.
"All of us are ready to do something special this season," Jefferies said.
The Tigers are looking to return to the NCAA tournament for the first time in five years. Last year's team reached the second round of the National Invitation Tournament.
This year's group, which includes returnees Tyler Harris, Alex Lomax and Isaiah Maurice, understands the spotlight is shining brightly on them, but it appears to welcome the attention.
"The season is here and it's time to play," Ellis said. "I'm really excited to play with my brothers and live up to our expectations."
Players Mentioned
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