Tigers playing host to Memphis State Day Saturday at FedExForum

Saturday, January 19

Memphis, Tenn.

3 PM

University of Memphis

SMU

Tickets

Alex Lomax (2) is expected to return after missing Tulane game with an injury.

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Tigers playing host to Memphis State Day Saturday at FedExForum

Jan 18, 2019 | Men's Basketball

Memphis Notes (vs. SMU)SMU Notes (vs. Memphis)

Men's basketball hopes to find success on the boards against SMU

By: Phil Stukenborg

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – They'll be celebrating Memphis State Day at 3 p.m. Saturday when the University of Memphis plays host to SMU in an American Athletic Conference game from FedExForum. Fans will be wearing their MSU gear, the Tigers are expected to wear throwback uniforms.

As for Tigers coach Penny Hardaway, he wouldn't mind his team rebounding like some of those past UofM squads.

When the Tigers (11-6, 3-1 The American) play the Mustangs, Hardaway will be looking for his team to end what has been a difficult stretch on the boards, especially allowing offensive rebounds. The previous three opponents – Houston, East Carolina and Tulane – averaged nearly 19 offensive rebounds apiece and each outrebounded the Tigers.

Memphis could be aided by the return of freshman guard Alex Lomax who, along with senior guard Jeremiah Martin, is virtually tied for third in rebounding (4.1 per game) behind Kyvon Davenport and Raynere Thornton. Lomax missed the Tulane game after suffering a head injury in the Jan. 10 home game against ECU.

"We're really excited to have him back," Hardaway said. "We missed him in both those games (second half vs. ECU, all of Tulane) because he's arguably our best defender on ball and our second- to third-leading rebounder."

SMU (11-6, 3-2) is coming off a 69-58 home loss to nationally ranked Houston at home. In the game, the Mustangs got 20 points and six assists from Jimmy Whitt Jr., and a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds from Ethan Chargois.

The Tigers are coming off an 83-79 victory at Tulane, a game in which senior Jeremiah Martin scored a season-high 27 points.

"I was able to bring a little extra on the road," Martin said. "I felt I needed to push the ball more and bring the energy back. Kyvon (Davenport) was in foul trouble at the time, so I put the team on my back and tried to bring some energy."

Memphis is 9-1 at home this season with its only loss coming to nationally ranked Tennessee. Seven teams entered the week with one or fewer losses at home this season.

"A lot of these teams (in The American) are showing home-court advantage is big," Hardaway said "We have to sustain that and continue to win games at home and (also) try to win some games on the road."

QUICK FACTS

Hardaway said injured freshman wing David Wingett, who has appeared in four games, is going through non-contact drills in practice, but is not ready to return. Hardaway said red-shirting Wingett, who suffered a leg injury in late November, is a potential option.
The Tigers have shot 45 percent or better from the field in seven straight games dating to a Dec. 19 win over Little Rock at FedExForum.
SMU is outrebounding its American Athletic Conference opposition by 8.8 per game in five league contests.
SMU has made 140 3-pointers this season to rank second in the conference in shots made beyond the arc.
Memphis continues to lead the conference in points per game with an 84.1 average.
One of the league's top 3-point shooting teams percentage wise (35.1 percent entering the week), the Mustangs had a rare off night Wednesday against Houston. SMU made only 5-of-24 attempts (20.8 percent).