Tigers, Georgia to meet in AAC/SEC clash

Saturday, January 4

Memphis, Tenn.

12 PM

University of Memphis

Georgia

Tickets

Tigers forward Lance Thomas returns against Georgia after a two-game absence.

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Jan 03, 2020 | Men's Basketball

Memphis Notes (vs. Georgia)Georgia Notes (vs. Memphis)

UofM is seeking to extend winning streak against solid Bulldogs' team

By: Phil Stukenborg

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – For its final non-conference game of the 2019-20 season, the University of Memphis has a marquee matchup.

The ninth-ranked Tigers, winners of 10 straight, will play host to Georgia at noon Saturday at FedExForum. Georgia's lineup includes 6-foot-5, 225-pound guard Anthony Edwards, considered a potential No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. The combination has attracted national attention and the game will be carried nationally by CBS Sports.

The Tigers (12-1) have had several key victories during the run, including wins over North Carolina State, Ole Miss and Tennessee. The team's only loss was to Oregon, a Top 10 team.

Memphis is coming off an 84-73 victory over Tulane in its American Athletic Conference opener, a game in which five players – Lester Quinones (16), Damion Baugh (15), D.J. Jeffries (14), Precious Achiuwa (14) and Tyler Harris (12) – scored in double figures.

In the win over Tulane at FedExForum Monday, the Tigers also shot 61 percent in the first half and 54 percent for the game. They outrebounded the Green Wave, 41-29.

Achiuwa, one of two 5-star recruits on the floor Saturday, produced his sixth double-double of the season against Tulane. He leads the AAC with an average of 9.8 rebounds per game.

The Tigers also have been getting substantial production from its bench. Guard Alex Lomax leads the AAC with an average of 4.8 assists per game.

Georgia's Edwards will be the other five-star prospect on the court. Edwards is averaging 18.8 points per game.

"We've just got to make him uncomfortable," Tigers coach Penny Hardaway said. "He's a great player. He's the potential No. 1 pick in the draft.

"As you can see, he can not have it going for a half and come out and have 30 or 40 (points) the second half."

NOTES

Tigers coach Penny Hardaway also said guard Damion Baugh, who suffered a shoulder injury in Monday's win over Tulane, will be available.
Memphis is the only team in the American Athletic Conference averaging 80 or more points. The Tigers average 80.6.
The Tigers also lead the AAC in scoring margin (+18.5), field goal percentage (47.7), field goal percentage defense (34.9), 3-point field goal percentage defense (27.0) and steals (9.2).
The game will be a reunion for Thomas and Georgia forward Rayshaun Hammonds. Thomas and Hammonds played high school basketball together at Norcross (Ga.) High.
Thomas missed the last two games with a hip flexor injury, but will be available to play.
In its last three games, the Memphis bench has outscored the last three opponents' benches, 114-29