Tigers playing Sunday for a No. 4 AAC seed

Sunday, March 8

Houston, Texas

11 AM

University of Memphis

#21 Houston

Tickets

Tigers will finish the regular season at Houston before next week's conference tournament.

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Mar 07, 2020 | Men's Basketball

Memphis Notes (vs. Houston)Houston Notes (vs. Memphis)

UofM, Houston set for 11 a.m. tipoff in regular-season finale in Texas

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Sunday, Sunday, Sunday.

The University of Memphis ends its 2019-20 season with an 11 a.m. American Athletic Conference game Sunday at Houston with the all-important No. 4 seed at stake in next week's league tournament in Fort Worth, Texas.

If the Tigers (21-9 overall, 10-7 AAC) defeat Houston (22-8, 12-5 AAC) in a game played before a CBS national television audience, they'll be the No. 4 seed in the AAC Men's Basketball Championships and earn a first-round bye.

The UofM will enter Sunday's game on a late-season roll. The Tigers have won two straight – and four of five – and are coming off an impressive 68-60 victory over Wichita State Thursday at FedExForum.

A Wichita State victory at home Sunday against league leader Tulsa would tie the Shockers with Memphis atop the final standings – if the Tigers win and also finish 11-7 in AAC play. But Memphis owns the tiebreaker over Wichita State. The fourth seed opens play in the quarterfinals Friday night.

"We've wanted to control our own fate from the very beginning," Tigers coach Penny Hardaway said. "But, obviously, we had some things to happen. Injuries (were) a big part of it. Some self-inflicted wounds as well in conference (played a part, too). It's so tough to win in this conference."

In the team's win over Wichita State, the Tigers limited the Shockers to 34.4 percent shooting. The nation's leading field goal percentage defensive teams the Tigers have held four straight opponents – and five of six – to 35 percent or below shooting.

"It's the game plans that we come up with," Hardaway said, when asked to explain his freshmen-laden team's defensive success. "We understand the strengths and weaknesses of each player. We try and put their best players in the worst poitions that we can. That's what usually happens with our game plans. We just lock in on the game plan. We attack the weaknesses of the other teams."

If a difficult season mixed with a injuries, illnesses and suspensions has taught the Tigers anything, it's resilience. And the group that remains appears to be finding its stride.

"With one game left, the guys are just learning how to finish games and put games away," Hardaway said. "Nothing is going to surprise them. This is the second time around with Houston. They are a very good team. They understand going into the game what needs to happen. It's just the experience that has taught them on how to handle these situations. "

TIGERS NOTEBOOK

Tigers guard Tyler Harris tied a season-high in the win over Wichita State Thursday night with five 3-pointers.
With 59 3-pointers made this season, Harris increased his two-year career total to 138. He is five 3-pointers shy of moving into the Top 10 on the school's career made 3-pointers list.
Tigers freshman forward Precious Achiuwa is the nation's only freshman averaging a double-double. Achiuwa is averaging 15.5 points and 10.6 rebounds through 30 games.
Achiuwa moved into a tie for eighth on the school's single-season double-doubles list with 17. He moved into a tie with Marion Hilliard (1975-76), Keith Lee (1981-82), Kelly Wise (2000-01) and Dedric Lawson (2015-16).
The Tigers have had single-digit outcomes in 11 of their past 12 games.