Tigers face UConn at noon Saturday

Saturday, February 1

Memphis, Tenn.

12 PM

University of Memphis

UConn (Autism Speaks Game)

Tickets

Lance Thomas (15) scored a career-high 20 points in Wednesday's win at UCF.

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Jan 31, 2020 | Men's Basketball

Memphis Notes (vs. Connecticut)Connecticut Notes (vs. Memphis)

UofM begins three-game American Athletic Conference homestand

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After playing four of its first seven American Athletic Conference games on the road, University of Memphis will return home, sweet home, sweet home.

The Tigers (15-5, 4-3 AAC) will begin a three-game, FedExForum homestand at noon Saturday against UConn (11-9, 2-5).

Both teams are coming off victories. The Tigers snapped a two-game losing streak with a 59-57 win over UCF Wednesday in Orlando. UConn knocked off Temple, 78-63, Wednesday in Storrs, Conn.

In the UofM's win, sophomore forward Lance Thomas made his first start since November and scored a career-high 20 points – including a career-best four 3-pointers – to fuel the victory. UConn placed six players in double figures, led by Christian Vitale, who posted a double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds).

Thomas entered the building having scored only 14 points in his previous 10 games, but the Louisville transfer, who sat out last season, had the best outing of his career. His best game at Louisville was a 10-point, seven-rebound effort against Bryant.

At UCF, Thomas finished the night going 8-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range. He added four rebounds and two assists.

"It was a big game for Lance Thomas," Tigers coach Penny Hardaway said. "They tried to play off him, sag off him in the paint, and he stepped up and played a big game. But it was a total team effort."

Thomas entered the game averaging 2.4 points in 17 games and only 10 minutes of playing time. He was on the court a season-high 24 minutes.

"I think a lot of times a lot of coaches give up on kids," Hardaway said. "With Lance, I understood he was our hardest worker last year and he still works hard this year. I just saw in practice Lance kept working and kept working and I said `You know what? We're going to put him in the lineup alongside Precious. It was a perfect combination because Lance is a shooter and Precious is a slasher."

In addition to Thomas, the Tigers got another solid performance from freshman forward Precious Achiuwa. Achiuwa, whose presence drew nearly two dozen NBA scouts to UCF's Addition Financial Arena, overcame a difficult first half against UCF to finish with 18 points and 13 rebounds, his 11^th double-double of the season.

Freshman guard Boogie Ellis added 13 points for his second consecutive double-figure scoring game after scoring only three points in a four-game stretch.

UConn, playing its final season in the AAC before moving its basketball programs to the Big East, has lost six of eight. However, among the losses are games against Wichita State, Houston, Tulsa and future-Big East opponent Villanova.

The three-game homestand for the Tigers will be their longest since conference play began in late December. Memphis is 10-2 at home.

After UConn, the Tigers will play home games Wednesday (against Temple) and next Saturday (against USF).

TIGERS NOTEBOOK

The Tigers' bench contributed a season-low six points in the win at UCF on Wednesday. Memphis entered the game averaging 29.9 points from its reserves.
Wednesday's starting lineup of Precious Achiuwa, D.J. Jeffries, Lance Thomas, Boogie Ellis and Lester Quinones was the team's sixth different one this season. Only Achiuwa has started each of the team's 20 games.
UCF shot only 38.6 percent against the Tigers. The Knights are the 13^th opponent this season to shoot less than 40 percent from the field.
Expect a block party with these two teams. UConn ranks second nationally (6.8 blocks per game) and Memphis ranks fifth (6.4).
Tiger forward Precious Achiuwa ranks first nationally among freshman in rebounding (10.3 rpg) and double-doubles (11).