Memphis returns to action tonight with a road game against North Texas. It’s only the second road game in the last five for the Tigers, but it’s the first game of a three-game road trip that stretches into next week.
Penny Hardaway’s team beat the Mean Green 57-48 in its first conference game of the season on December 31. The first matchup between these two teams was a low-scoring game, in which both teams turned the ball over 18 or more times.
Neither team shot better than 28 percent from three-point range, and only three players scored 10 or more points combined between the two teams. Memphis’ starters combined for only 21 points, and Zach Davis, who hasn’t played in the last two games, leads the led the team with 12 points and six rebounds.
As a team, North Texas averages 70.6 points per game, and they shoot 42.9 percent from the field, 30.4 percent from deep and 69.4 percent from the free-throw line. Three players average more than 10 points per game, and Je’Shawn Stevenson, who led the team in the first meeting, averages 17 points per game.
Defensively, the Mean Green allows 66.2 points per game, and opposing teams shoot 41.7 percent from the field and 29.2 percent from deep. Daniyal Robinson’s team has struggled on the boards, and they average 34.6 rebounds per game with a minus-0.4 rebounding margin.
Here’s a look at how to watch Memphis’ game against the Mean Green:
TV: ESPN
Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: 98.9 The Roar of Memphis
Line: Memphis -1.5
Time: 8:00 p.m. CT
Here’s what to watch for from the Tigers against North Texas:
The biggest story over the last month has been the improved play from Aaron Bradshaw in the frontcourt. The big man has made a jump since the start of conference play, and it will be interesting to see if that continues against the Mean Green.
In the first meeting, Bradshaw only had five points and three rebounds in 20 minutes, but he should have a better showing, based on his recent performances.
Davis led the team with 12 points in 23 minutes off the bench in the first game, but he hasn’t played in the last two games, and it’s unclear if he’ll play tonight in Denton. Hardaway has shortened the rotation over the last few games, and the South Carolina transfer has not been included.
During Sunday’s win over Charlotte, Hardaway only played eight players 10 or more minutes, and Quante Berry, who was the eighth man of the bench, only played 10 minutes. A lot of people have called for the head coach to shorten the rotation, and tonight will give fans a good idea on if that’s something that could stick through the remaining conference schedule.
Rebounding has been an issue for the Tigers for most of the season, but they’ve looked a lot better over the last three games. Memphis out-rebounded Tulane by 15 and Charlotte by nine, and they should have the advantage Thursday night.
Hardaway’s team won the rebounding battle 38-to-30 in the first matchup, and it could be a similar result in Denton.
While the Tigers have played well, they can’t underestimate the Mean Green. North Texas has struggled at times this season, but they’ve only lost three games inside the Super Pit this season and haven’t lost a game by more than four points at home.