Tigers, Shockers Meet Thursday in High-Stakes American Tiltt

Thursday, February 26

Memphis, Tenn.

8:00 PM

University of Memphis

Wichita State

Tigers, Shockers Meet Thursday in High-Stakes American Tiltt

Feb 25, 2026 | Men's Basketball

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis returns to FedExForum Thursday night for an 8 p.m. matchup with Wichita State on ESPN2, and the stakes are unmistakable. With only four regular-season games remaining, the Tigers are navigating a tight race in the American Conference standings and enter the night tied for seventh - making this one pivotal.

Memphis (12-15, 7-7 American) continues to lean on balance, averaging 74.2 points per game with seven players contributing at least six points per contest. Dug McDaniel sets the tone at 12.8 points and 4.6 assists per game while shooting 85.5 percent at the stripe. Sincere Parker supplies a spark off the bench at 11.9 points per game, and Aaron Bradshaw brings interior efficiency, connecting on 57.7 percent of his field-goal attempts.

Wichita State counters with toughness and persistence on the glass. The Shockers average 14.6 offensive rebounds per game - among the best marks in the country - and have grabbed double-digit offensive boards in 22-straight contests. Guard Kenyon Giles headlines their attack at 19.1 points per game and ranks among the nation's leaders with 93 made three-pointers (13^th in DI).

For Memphis, the formula is clear: limit second-chance points, protect the basketball and let its athleticism dictate pace. With March approaching, every possession inside FedExForum carries added weight.

GAME DETAILS
Memphis Tigers (12-15, 7-7 American) vs. Wichita State (18-10, 10-5 American)
Thursday, February 26, 2026 | 8 p.m.
FedExForum (18,400); Memphis, Tenn.
Television: ESPN2 (John Schriffen, pxp; Chris Spatola, analyst)
Radio: 98.9 THE ROAR OF MEMPHIS (Dave Woloshin, pxp; Ken Moody, analyst)

BY THE NUMBERS

1: Dug McDaniel is the only American Conference player this season averaging at least 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game. The only Memphis players this century to finish a season with those marks are Jeremiah Martin (2018-19) and Antonio Burks (2001-02, 2003-04).
3: William Whorton had three blocks against UAB despite only playing 15 minutes. The last Memphis player to have that many blocks in so few minutes was Malcolm Dandridge on November 23, 2023 (three, 12).
7: Memphis has won its last seven home games against Wichita State, holding the Shockers to 45.0% shooting or lower in each victory. The last time the Tigers achieved that streak against a single opponent at home was a 14-game run vs. Southern Miss (2002-15).
14: The Tigers rank 14^th in the country in three-point defense, allowing opponents to just shoot 29.8 percent from distance. It's the best mark for Memphis in a season since 2020-21 (27.7%) and the Tigers have held 15 opponents to under 30 percent from long range this season.
26: Memphis is seeking its 26^th-straight season with at least eight conference wins (since 2000-01). Only nine Division I programs have accomplished that streak over the same span.
31: Sincere Parker is a perfect 31-for-31 from the free-throw line in February — the most made free throws without a miss in an American Conference month and the top mark by a Memphis player in a single month over the last 30 seasons.
35.0%: Memphis has held each of its last two opponents under 35.0% shooting in the second half (31.1% vs. UAB, 30.3% at USF), marking the first time the Tigers have done so in back-to-back games since Dec. 28, 2024 - Jan. 2, 2025.
36: Sincere Parker enters Thursday having made 36-straight free throws.His last miss came on Jan. 18 vs. UTSA.

SCOUTING THE SHOCKERS

Wichita State brings an 18-10 record into Thursday, including a 10-5 mark in league play.
The Shockers are currently tied for second in the American standings with Tulsa.
Wichita State enters the contest riding a three-game win streak and bring a 5-4 record in true road games.
Only two players are averaging double figures for WSU, but its leading scorer Kenyon Giles (19.1 PPG) is a walking bucket. His 93 made threes rank 13th nationally. He is also 15th in the country in three-pointers per game (3.32).
Giles' 19.1 points per game would be the highest by a Shocker since 2000.
Karon Boyd ranks second on the team in scoring (10.9) and in rebounding (5.8).
Big man Will Berg leads the team in rebounding at 8.1 per game to go along with 8.7 points each time out.
The Shockers rank fourth in Division I with 14.6 offensive rebounds per game, 20th with 40.6 total rebounds per game and 24th with a +6.6 rebounding margin.

UP NEXT
With three regular-season games remaining, Memphis heads back on the road this weekend for a 1 p.m. CT matchup at East Carolina on Sunday, streaming on ESPN+. The Tigers return home March 5 to host South Florida at 8 p.m., then close out the regular season March 8 at Tulane.

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.