How to watch Memphis vs. VCU

Memphis returns to action on Saturday for its first home game of the season against VCU. Both teams enter the game after season-opening wins on Monday, and the Tigers enter the game with a 6-3 series advantage.

Phil Martelli Jr.’s team enters the season with a ton of momentum, and they began the season with a 10-point win over Little Rock. The Rams went 28-8 last year and knocked off North Carolina in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before losing to Illinois in the Round of 32.

VCU returns seven players from last year’s team, including four starters, and senior forward Lazar Djokovic looks to play a huge role for Martelli’s team. Djokovic averaged 13.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.2 blocks in 35 games last season, and he recorded 15 points and four rebounds in the season-opener against the Trojans. 

The Rams added several impressive transfers, including Creighton transfer Blake Harper. The guard averaged 19.5 points per game as a freshman at Howard, but he saw a smaller role in the Big East. 

He’ll look to get back to his freshman production with the Rams.

Torey Alston is another interesting addition from Middle Tennessee, and he led the team with 17 points and 12 rebounds in the first game against Little Rock.

Here’s a look at how to watch Memphis’ first home game against the Rams:

TV: N/A

Stream: ESPN+

Radio: 98.9 The Roar of Memphis

Time: 2:00 p.m. CT

Line: VCU -1.5

Total: 156.5

What to watch for in the Tigers’ second game of the season against VCU:

Memphis impressed in its first game against Iowa State, and it will be interesting to see how it plays against another top mid-major program. The Tigers shot 45 percent from deep and three players finished in double figures.

Luke Almodovar did a little bit of everything for Memphis, and he recorded 18 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals. Almodovar ended the first half with a poster dunk, and it appears he has already turned into a fan favorite.

With about three minutes left in the game, Almodovar fouled out, and Jayden Reid picked up right where he left off. Reid scored the Tigers’ final 11 points of the game, and he led the team with 26 points. 

It will be fun to see both transfers on the court at FedExForum, and it will be interesting to see what type of encore they have in the home-opener. 

The Tigers’ bigs held their own against the Cyclones, and they will be a group to watch over the next five games before Nemanja Popović returns to the court. Maxim Logue started the game, but he played only 12 minutes and grabbed five rebounds. 

Corneilous Williams played 22 minutes off the bench, and he finished with six points and eight rebounds. It’s likely he will continue to get playing time, especially if he brings that the of effort, and it will be interesting to see if he receives more playing time against VCU.