Memphis returns to action following a week off, and it’ll head to Boca Raton to play Florida Atlantic in its second road conference game of the season. The Tigers are 2-0 in conference play, but will face their toughest test in conference play on Sunday.
The Owls enter the game with a 10-6 record, but they’ve lost three of their last five games against Saint Mary’s, UCF and Tulane. FAU sits at 2-1 in conference play with wins over UTSA and UAB.
As a team, John Jakus’ team averages 83.1 points per game, and they shoot 46.7 percent from the field, 35.1 percent from the field and 74.6 percent from the free-throw line. Three players average more than 11 points per game, and sophomore Devin Vanterpool leads the team with 16.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.
Jakus brought in a lot of newcomers, and high-major transfers Kanaan Carlyle and Isaiah Elohim have both played big roles on this team. Carlyle averages 15.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, while Elohim averages 11.7 points per game and shoots 32.3 percent from deep.
In the frontcourt, FAU has one of the best shot blockers in the entire country in Devin Williams, who is currently averaging 2.8 blocks per game.
As a team, the Owls average 39.7 rebounds per game, and they have a plus-6.4 rebounding margin. They also turn the ball over 12.2 times per game, and they have a plus-0.5 turnover margin.
Here’s a look at how to watch the Tigers’ game against FAU:
TV: ESPN2
Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: 98.9 The Roar of Memphis
Line: FAU -1.5
Time: 12:00 p.m. CT
What to expect from Memphis against FAU:
The Tigers found their way back to .500 with three straight wins over Alabama State, North Texas and Rice, but this will be the toughest test Penny Hardaway’s team has faced since the three-game stretch against power conference opponents in December. Every game is important in conference play now that Memphis has no path to the tournament as an at-large, and this would be a nice win away from FedExForum.
Hardaway’s team picked up its first win on the road last weekend against Rice, and after the game, Hardaway said he found something in terms of rotations in the second half. Hardaway only played eight guys in the second half, and it’ll be interesting to see if those are the eight players that he will rely on moving forward.
Notably missing from that rotation was Curtis Givens III, who only played eight minutes and didn’t record a shot against the Owls. Givens has played a big role for the Tigers this season, and it’ll be worth watching how Hardaway uses the guard against FAU.
Another thing to watch will be how Hardaway adjusts the starting lineup Sunday against the Owls. The head coach has used numerous groups to start games this season, and he went with a bigger lineup last week against a smaller Rice team.
Jakus’ team has a lot more size than Rice, and Hardaway might go with the same lineup to match up better against the Owls.
Memphis will also need to limit the runs from FAU. The Tigers gave up a 15-2 run last Saturday that put them in a 13-point hole early in the first half, and Memphis can’t afford anything similar against FAU.