University of Memphis Athletics
Saturday, December 29
Memphis, Tenn.
12 PM
University of Memphis
vs
Florida A&M
Kareem Brewton (5) has been a key contributor to a productive Tigers' bench.
Photo by: Matthew Smith
Men's basketball to end non-league play vs. Florida A&M
Dec 28, 2018 | Men's Basketball
Tigers, Rattlers tip off at noon at FedExForum after taking holiday break
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The final tune-up for the University of Memphis basketball program has arrived.
The Tigers end the non-conference portion of their 2018-19 schedule at noon Saturday against Florida A&M at FedExForum, hoping to use the game against the Rattlers to prepare them for the start of American Athletic Conference play next week.
Memphis (7-5) hasn't played since a dominating 99-41 victory Dec. 22 over Tennessee State at FedExForum. In that lopsided win, the UofM shot a season-best 61.5 percent and placed six players in double figures.
UofM coach Penny Hardaway was most encouraged by how his team performed defensively. The Tigers limited TSU to 16.1 percent shooting (10-of-62) and forced 24 turnovers. TSU had only 17 points at the half and trailed by 30 points.
Hardaway said the UofM was "playing hard, forcing them into shots we wanted them to take (and) rebounding the ball well."
"We outrebounded them by 19 (49-30) and that's because they shot a lot of jumpers and we've been working on boxing out," Hardaway said.
The Tigers open conference play Jan. 3 at home against Wichita State, but Florida A&M is next. The Rattlers (3-11) are led by guard Justin Ravenel, who is averaging 13.6 points per game.
Memphis has been bolstered by the recent play of 6-foot-6 guard Antwann Jones, who has started the past two games, and the contributions of one of the AAC's most productive benches.
In the past three games, the UofM's reserves have averaged 46.6 points. The bench scored 50 against Tennessee and had 48 against Tennessee State. During that three-game stretch, forward Kyvon Davenport, who began the season in the starting lineup, has averaged 19.3 points and 12.6 rebounds to lead the reserves.
Davenport has posted three straight double-doubles and set career highs in points (31 vs. Tennessee) and rebounds (15 vs. Little Rock).
"When Kyvon went to the bench (after starting the first four games), that definitely beefed up our bench," Hardaway said. "He has had some monster games off the bench."
Another former starter, Isaiah Maurice, has contributed, too. He had 13 points and two blocks against Tennessee State and eight points against Little Rock. Kareem Brewton has had back-to back games of 10 and 15 points.
"Coach wants our starters to be good, but he wants our bench to be even better," Brewton said. "He wants the bench to come in and (provide) the most energy, so the first group will come back in and do the same thing."
QUICK FACTS
* Memphis ranks ninth nationally in turnovers forced at 18.4 per game.
* Saturday's game is the sixth of seven-straight at FedExForum for the Tigers.
* The UofM reserves are averaging 46.6 points the past three games. The highest point total during the three-game stretch was 50 against Tennessee.
* Tigers forward Kyvon Davenport is averaging 19.3 points and 12.6 rebounds off the bench during the same three-game stretch.
* Memphis has scored 90 or more points in its past four games. It marks the first time the Tigers have put together such a streak since the 2005-06 season.
* The Tigers are 249-49 in 15 seasons playing home basketball games at FedExForum.
* The UofM has shot 50 percent or better in four of its past five games, with a season-best 60 percent Dec. 22 against Tennessee State.
* In two games as a starter, Tigers 6-foot-6 guard Antwann Jones is averaging 12 points, 5.5 assists and 5.5 rebounds.
The Tigers end the non-conference portion of their 2018-19 schedule at noon Saturday against Florida A&M at FedExForum, hoping to use the game against the Rattlers to prepare them for the start of American Athletic Conference play next week.
Memphis (7-5) hasn't played since a dominating 99-41 victory Dec. 22 over Tennessee State at FedExForum. In that lopsided win, the UofM shot a season-best 61.5 percent and placed six players in double figures.
UofM coach Penny Hardaway was most encouraged by how his team performed defensively. The Tigers limited TSU to 16.1 percent shooting (10-of-62) and forced 24 turnovers. TSU had only 17 points at the half and trailed by 30 points.
Hardaway said the UofM was "playing hard, forcing them into shots we wanted them to take (and) rebounding the ball well."
"We outrebounded them by 19 (49-30) and that's because they shot a lot of jumpers and we've been working on boxing out," Hardaway said.
The Tigers open conference play Jan. 3 at home against Wichita State, but Florida A&M is next. The Rattlers (3-11) are led by guard Justin Ravenel, who is averaging 13.6 points per game.
Memphis has been bolstered by the recent play of 6-foot-6 guard Antwann Jones, who has started the past two games, and the contributions of one of the AAC's most productive benches.
In the past three games, the UofM's reserves have averaged 46.6 points. The bench scored 50 against Tennessee and had 48 against Tennessee State. During that three-game stretch, forward Kyvon Davenport, who began the season in the starting lineup, has averaged 19.3 points and 12.6 rebounds to lead the reserves.
Davenport has posted three straight double-doubles and set career highs in points (31 vs. Tennessee) and rebounds (15 vs. Little Rock).
"When Kyvon went to the bench (after starting the first four games), that definitely beefed up our bench," Hardaway said. "He has had some monster games off the bench."
Another former starter, Isaiah Maurice, has contributed, too. He had 13 points and two blocks against Tennessee State and eight points against Little Rock. Kareem Brewton has had back-to back games of 10 and 15 points.
"Coach wants our starters to be good, but he wants our bench to be even better," Brewton said. "He wants the bench to come in and (provide) the most energy, so the first group will come back in and do the same thing."
QUICK FACTS
* Memphis ranks ninth nationally in turnovers forced at 18.4 per game.
* Saturday's game is the sixth of seven-straight at FedExForum for the Tigers.
* The UofM reserves are averaging 46.6 points the past three games. The highest point total during the three-game stretch was 50 against Tennessee.
* Tigers forward Kyvon Davenport is averaging 19.3 points and 12.6 rebounds off the bench during the same three-game stretch.
* Memphis has scored 90 or more points in its past four games. It marks the first time the Tigers have put together such a streak since the 2005-06 season.
* The Tigers are 249-49 in 15 seasons playing home basketball games at FedExForum.
* The UofM has shot 50 percent or better in four of its past five games, with a season-best 60 percent Dec. 22 against Tennessee State.
* In two games as a starter, Tigers 6-foot-6 guard Antwann Jones is averaging 12 points, 5.5 assists and 5.5 rebounds.
Players Mentioned
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