How to watch Memphis vs. Vanderbilt

Memphis returns to action Wednesday night for a home game at FedExForum. The Tigers look to bounce back from a 26-point loss against Louisville, but it will be a tough test against an undefeated Vanderbilt team.

After taking over last season, Mark Byington has brought excitement to the Commodores basketball team and injected winning into the program immediately. Following an NCAA Tournament appearance last season, Vanderbilt enters the game 10-0 and ranked No. 13 inside this week’s Associated Press poll.

Byington’s team averages 95.4 points per game, and they’re shooting 51.6 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from three-point range. The Commodores are also playing well on the defensive end of the court, holding opponents to only 72.9 points per game.

Vanderbilt has four players averaging 10 or more points per game, and senior Duke Miles leads the team with 16.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.3 steals. Byington runs a balanced rotation, and eight different players average more than 17 minutes.

The Commodores are top-50 in three-point shooting, and three of their starters shoot better than 37 percent from behind the three-point line. The SEC opponent also does a great job protecting the ball, and they rank sixth in offensive turnover percentage.

Here’s a look at how to watch the Tigers’ game against Vanderbilt:

TV: ESPN2

Stream: WatchESPN

Radio: 98.9 The Roar of Memphis

Time: 6:00 p.m. CT

Line: Vanderbilt -7.5

What to expect from Memphis:

The Tigers struggled on both ends of the court Saturday against Louisville, and it will be interesting to see how Penny Hardaway’s team responds at home. 

Memphis gave up 18 three-pointers against the Cardinals, and most of them came on really good looks. Hardaway’s team must do a better job on the defensive end of the court against another team that shoots the ball at a high clip. 

Both Curtis Givens III and Julius Thedford missed another game over the weekend, and it’s unclear if either will be available on Wednesday. Both players have shown flashes of being productive players, and the Tigers could use both of them back in the fold.

Zach Davis was named the conference player of the year last week, but he struggled in the last game. Davis went 3-for-7 from the field and added three rebounds and a steal.

He has shown that he can be a difference maker in all aspects of the game, and Memphis needs him to be that consistent option.

Aaron Bradshaw found his way back into the starting lineup, and it will be interesting to see if Hardaway makes another change to the starting five. Bradshaw only played 19 minutes due to foul trouble and finished with eight points and five rebounds.

The big man went 4-for-7 from the field, and Hardaway said after the game that Bradshaw deserved more shots. 

The Tigers have forced 13 turnovers in the last four games, and they need to turn Vanderbilt over and speed them up. The Commodores don’t turn the ball over, and if Memphis can cause some chaos, they’ll have the advantage in front of the home fans. 

Hardaway has done a great job beating top-tier programs at home, and they have a 9-1 home record against major conference opponents in the last five years.