University of Memphis Athletics
Thursday, March 5
Memphis, Tenn.
8 PM
University of Memphis
vs
Wichita State
Isaiah Maurice, the Tigers only senior, will be honored before Thursday's game.
Photo by: Matthew A. Smith
Tigers to play final regular-season home game
Mar 04, 2020 | Men's Basketball
UofM, Wichita State in battle for No. 4 seed in next week's AAC tourney
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – It's a White Out.
When the University of Memphis plays Wichita State at 8 p.m. Thursday in an American Athletic Conference game at FedExForum, the fans will be participating in a White Out, donning white clothing in an attempt to help the Tigers shock the Shockers.
For the Tigers, closing the home portion of the regular season will create a special environment.
But the game will provide added significance if the UofM (20-9, 9-7 AAC) can knock off Wichita State (22-7, 10-6 AAC) and keep its hopes alive for a top four seed in next week's conference tournament at Fort Worth, Texas.
Earlier this season, the Tigers dropped a 76-67 decision at Wichita State, a game the Shockers designated as a Black Out. A full house of 10,500 attended the game in Wichita.
"Wichita State is going to be a really good game," Tigers coach Penny Hardaway said. "We've got to protect our home floor."
Hardaway was impressed with Wichita State's ability to rally from a 24-point second-half deficit at SMU last weekend. The come-from-behind effort was the largest recovery in conference history.
The Tigers dropped a 58-53 decision at SMU last week.
Not only does he hold hopes of the Tigers grabbing a top-4 seed in the conference tournament, Hardaway said an NCAA Tournament also remains within reach. The Tigers close the regular season at No. 21 Houston Sunday.
"We got ourselves out of the (NCAA Tournament) conversation by losing three games in a row (USF, Cincinnati and UConn in mid-February)," Hardaway said. "Then we got back in by beating (then-No. 22) Houston, then we lost at SMU (to drop out), then got back into the conversation (again) by beating Tulane. So we know what we have to do."
Hardaway said the Tigers were undone during their first meeting with Wichita State by turnovers. The UofM limited Wichita State to 33 percent shooting and outrebounded the Shockers, 48-44, but committed 18 turnovers.
"The game is not going to be about Xs and Os," Hardaway said. "It's going to be about heart and hustle."
TOYOTA, TIGERS TEAM UP
The Memphis Area Toyota Dealers teamed up with the Memphis Tigers this season to create the "Charity Stripe" program.
For each made free throw the Tigers have made – and will make -- this season the Memphis Area Toyota Dealers are making a donation to support the Tiger Scholarship Fund. This community partnership will create opportunities of success for our Tigers on and off the court to build a better tomorrow.
A check presentation to the Tigers Scholarship Fund from Toyota will be made at Thursday's game against Wichita State.
"We are so grateful for the generous corporate partnership Memphis Area Toyota Dealers have provided during our football and men's basketball seasons," said Dr. Adam Walker, Executive Associate AD. "Their investment in our student-athletes is a model we hope inspires others in our community to support."
TIGERS NOTEBOOK
When the University of Memphis plays Wichita State at 8 p.m. Thursday in an American Athletic Conference game at FedExForum, the fans will be participating in a White Out, donning white clothing in an attempt to help the Tigers shock the Shockers.
For the Tigers, closing the home portion of the regular season will create a special environment.
But the game will provide added significance if the UofM (20-9, 9-7 AAC) can knock off Wichita State (22-7, 10-6 AAC) and keep its hopes alive for a top four seed in next week's conference tournament at Fort Worth, Texas.
Earlier this season, the Tigers dropped a 76-67 decision at Wichita State, a game the Shockers designated as a Black Out. A full house of 10,500 attended the game in Wichita.
"Wichita State is going to be a really good game," Tigers coach Penny Hardaway said. "We've got to protect our home floor."
Hardaway was impressed with Wichita State's ability to rally from a 24-point second-half deficit at SMU last weekend. The come-from-behind effort was the largest recovery in conference history.
The Tigers dropped a 58-53 decision at SMU last week.
Not only does he hold hopes of the Tigers grabbing a top-4 seed in the conference tournament, Hardaway said an NCAA Tournament also remains within reach. The Tigers close the regular season at No. 21 Houston Sunday.
"We got ourselves out of the (NCAA Tournament) conversation by losing three games in a row (USF, Cincinnati and UConn in mid-February)," Hardaway said. "Then we got back in by beating (then-No. 22) Houston, then we lost at SMU (to drop out), then got back into the conversation (again) by beating Tulane. So we know what we have to do."
Hardaway said the Tigers were undone during their first meeting with Wichita State by turnovers. The UofM limited Wichita State to 33 percent shooting and outrebounded the Shockers, 48-44, but committed 18 turnovers.
"The game is not going to be about Xs and Os," Hardaway said. "It's going to be about heart and hustle."
TOYOTA, TIGERS TEAM UP
The Memphis Area Toyota Dealers teamed up with the Memphis Tigers this season to create the "Charity Stripe" program.
For each made free throw the Tigers have made – and will make -- this season the Memphis Area Toyota Dealers are making a donation to support the Tiger Scholarship Fund. This community partnership will create opportunities of success for our Tigers on and off the court to build a better tomorrow.
A check presentation to the Tigers Scholarship Fund from Toyota will be made at Thursday's game against Wichita State.
"We are so grateful for the generous corporate partnership Memphis Area Toyota Dealers have provided during our football and men's basketball seasons," said Dr. Adam Walker, Executive Associate AD. "Their investment in our student-athletes is a model we hope inspires others in our community to support."
TIGERS NOTEBOOK
- Tigers forward Precious Achiuwa was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Men's Basketball Player of the Week Wednesday. He was honored after averaging 19.5 points and 14.5 rebounds in two games (at SMU, at Tulane) last week. He had 22 points and 22 rebounds against Tulane in a 74-67 overtime win.
- The lone senior on the roster, forward Isaiah Maurice, will be recognized before the game. Maurice, a transfer from South Plains College (Texas), was a member of coach Penny Hardaway's first class in 2018. Maurice has started 10 games this season, the last coming Jan. 9 at Wichita State.
- Achiuwa, named one of five national finalists for the Julius Erving Small Forward Award Wednesday, has 303 rebounds this season. He is only the fourth freshman in school history to surpass 300 rebounds in a season.
- Achiuwa's 16 double-doubles this season rank 12th on the school's single-season chart. Larry Kenon set the record during the 1972-73 season with 25.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Basketball
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