No. 16 Memphis has already secured the top seed in the upcoming American Athletic Conference tournament and at least a share of the conference’s regular-season title.
They will be attempting to win the latter outright when they host the South Florida Bulls on Friday night.
If the Tigers (25-5, 15-2 AAC) prevail, they would clinch their first outright conference title since winning one in Conference USA in 2013.
The Bulls (13-17, 6-11) hope to play spoiler and snap a three-game losing streak in what also will be their regular-season finale.
Memphis won the first clash between the two sides, 80-65, on Feb. 13 in Tampa, Fla. Four Tigers players scored in double figures in that game led by Dain Dainja’s 20 points. PJ Haggerty leads the Tigers in averaging 21.3 points per game and is one of four Tigers in double-figure scoring along with Dainja (13.5), Tyrese Hunter (14.0) and Colby Rogers (10.9).
While the Tigers have their sights set on making a deep NCAA Tournament run beginning later this month, Memphis coach Penny Hardaway reflected recently on what it’s taken the group that he and his staff put together to get to this point.
“Really proud of this group for bonding together,” Hardaway said on Tuesday. “Doing everything we ask of them. Going out and having each others’ backs and getting tough wins on the road.”
Hardaway’s comments came after the Tigers escaped with a 75-70 victory over UTSA on Tuesday.
Hardaway has been vocal this season about how the prognosticators have rated Memphis’ overall body of work.
Memphis likely needs to win its conference tournament in order to secure a high seed in the NCAA Tournament. Even one damaging loss could have the Tigers slipping into a much tougher situation.
Since their overtime loss to Wichita State on Feb. 16, the Tigers have won four in a row.
“Extremely high,” Rogers said of the team’s confidence. “During the season, we went through stretches where we lost games we shouldn’t. But I think that built us up for these moments.
“So, right now, extremely confident,” he continued. “I feel like we can play anybody and win.”
Beating Memphis would be a strong accomplishment for USF.
But the Bulls’ season really comes down to whether they can make a Cinderella run in the conference tournament and secure an automatic bid.
“That’s what it’s all about,” South Florida coach Ben Fletcher said after the team’s 69-63 loss to FAU on Sunday. “We’ve dropped games in conference play, but once we get to the conference tournament, it’s 0-0. All it takes is four games and we have to take it one game at a time. On any given night, we feel like we can beat any team in the conference. We just have to put four good games together.”
South Florida’s last four losses have each been by seven points or fewer.
Jamille Reynolds paces the Bulls, averaging 12.9 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, while Jayden Reid (12.2 ppg) and Kobe Knox (10.7) have added depth on the offensive end.
“We feel like we’re always in the game,” Fletcher said. “The other day it was seven minutes left and (we were) down 20. We’re just keeping the team together, focusing on the next game, the next play, the next defensive stop.”
–Field Level Media
