Memphis Returns Home Saturday to Host East Carolina

Saturday, January 7

Memphis, Tenn.

1 p.m.

University of Memphis

East Carolina

Tickets

MEMPHIS, TN - DECEMBER 03

Memphis Tigers v Ole Miss Rebels

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Memphis Returns Home Saturday to Host East Carolina

Jan 06, 2023 | Men's Basketball

Live Stats Watch Live Listen Live Buy Tickets Memphis Game Notes (PDF)ECU Game Notes (PDF)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Tigers will look to get back to its winning ways Saturday afternoon against East Carolina. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. on ESPN+ inside FedExForum.

The Tigers will be looking to avenge a road loss at Tulane on Sunday to open up 2023, where Memphis led with just over 10 minutes to play. The Green Wave scored 59 points in the second half and handed Memphis its second-straight loss at the Devlin Fieldhouse.

Kendric Davis has been on fire for the Tigers all season, but is averaging 23.0 points, 9.3 assists and 3.0 steals over his last four outings.

During that stretch, he has gone 43-of-51 at the free throw line, earned his fourth American Athletic Conference Player of the Week and was named to the John Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 Watch List. He leads the AAC in scoring (20.4) and in assists (6.1), and has scored 20-plus points in eight games on the year.

The Pirates enter the game with losses in two of their last three games, with the only win a 79-69 decision at Wichita State to close out 2022 on Dec. 31.

East Carolina is led by Javon Small's 15.7 points per game, which ranks sixth in the AAC. He is also the team leader in assists (5.7), which is 2nd-best in the league.

On the glass, Brandon Johnson leads the conference at 9.4 boards per outing.

Memphis goes back on the road for two game next week, traveling to UCF on Jan. 11 and Temple on Jan. 15.

Saturday's game is presented by University of Memphis Global.

GAME DETAILS
Memphis Tigers (11-4, 1-1 AAC) vs. East Carolina Pirates (10-6, 1-2 AAC)
Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023 | 1 p.m. CT
FedExForum (18,400); Memphis, Tenn.
Television: ESPN+ (Greg Gaston, pxp; Jon Albright, analysis)
Radio: 98.9 THE ROAR OF MEMPHIS (Dave Woloshin, pxp; Matt Dillon, analysis)

BY THE NUMBERS

1: Kendric Davis is the only player in the country averaging at least 20.0 points and 6.0 assists per game. His 306 total points are 15th most in DI, while his 91 dimes are 6th.
63-9: Memphis' record at FedExForum under head coach Penny Hardaway.
13: Straight wins for Memphis at FedExForum, dating back to a 70-62 loss to SMU on Jan. 20, 2021.
7: Memphis has scored 80+ points in seven-straight games for the first time since doing so in seven consecutive from Dec. 4, 2018 to Jan. 3, 2019.
16.6: Points per game by DeAndre Williams during his current 11-game double-digit streak; the senior is also averaging 7.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 54.8 % in the stretch.
52.9: Alex Lomax's field goal % in the 11 Tiger wins (36-68), compared to 25.0 percent in Memphis' four losses (7-28).

THE LAST TIME OUT

Despite a season-high 10 three-pointers and a combined 51 points from Kendric Davis and DeAndre Williams, Memphis dropped a 96-89 decision to Tulane in New Orleans Sunday.
Memphis led the game with seven minutes on the clock, but allowing 59 second-half points was too much to overcome as the Tigers fell.
Kendric Davis stayed hot and produced a season-high 31 points with seven assists, six rebound and three steals in 38 minutes. He was 7-of-18 from the floor and the nation's leader in free throws finished 14-of-17 at the stripe.
DeAndre Williams grabbed his fourth double-double of the season with 19 points and 12 boards, while also swiping three steals before fouling out with three minutes left in the game.
Elijah McCadden and Alex Lomax contributed eight points apiece and Jayden Hardaway added seven in his return to the lineup after missing the previous two games.
Tulane was led by Sion James' 30 points, seven assists and six rebounds on just 6-of-8 shooting. He was a perfect 4-of-4 from deep and 14-of-15 at the free throw line.
After Davis converted on a pullup jumper to put Memphis in front 65-63 with eight minutes left to play, the Green Wave poured in 33 points in the final 7:41 and sealed the game down the stretch at the free throw line.
Memphis shot 42.6 percent (29-68) on the night and made a season-high 10-of-23 from long distance (43.5%). They also drained 21-of-30 at the free throw line (70.0%).
Memphis outscored Tulane 34-30 in the paint, 23-12 in fast break points, and dished 17 assists to 14 turnovers, while forcing 17 turnovers forced on defense.
Memphis recorded 11 steals, giving them double-digit thefts in five of the last seven games, and blocked seven shots.

NOTING THE OPPONENT

East East Carolina returns just one starter from a team that finished 15-15 last season and 6-11 in the AAC (9th).
The Pirates are the best in the conference in getting to the free throw line this season, averaging 23.1 trips per game, which ranks 22nd nationally.
They are second in the AAC in rebounding (37.75), offensive rebounding (12.56) and free throws made (15.6).
ECU is averaging 71.2 points and allowing 67.7 per outing, while shooting 41.5 percent from the floor.
Brandon Johnson leads the AAC and ranks 9th in Division I with seven double-doubles on the year. He grabbed a season high 18 boards at Temple to open league play.
Javon Small ranks top-20 in the country in total assists (91 - 6th), free throws made (77 - 15th), and assists per game (5.7 - 17th).
ECU was picked 11th in the preseason coaches poll.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS:
For complete information on Memphis Tiger Men's Basketball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.