Game Preview: Memphis vs UCF

The Memphis Tigers are living the bubble life on the edge these days but have won 7 of their last 8 games to put themselves in a great position to make the tournament and potentially finish 1st in the AAC. Sitting tied for 2nd (lose the tiebreaker to Tulane) in the AAC and two games behind Houston with two games coming up against the Cougars, anything can happen. Meanwhile, UCF has been a mixed bag in conference play as they come into this matchup with a 6-6 conference record.

As for the Tigers, the Kendric Davis and DeAndre Williams show have continued as they each have traded AAC Player of the Week awards the past couple of weeks.

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26.0 ppg / 8.5 rpg / 4.0 / 61.3% FG@MbkDmann did work on his way to AAC Player of the Week😤#GoTigersGo pic.twitter.com/Ci9z2UsQHc

— Memphis Basketball (@Memphis_MBB) February 13, 2023

As well as the top 2 players are playing, Keonte Kennedy and Elijah McCadden have been providing much-needed production lately to almost make this team complete. With that said, another revenge opportunity awaits the Tigers at the FedExForum tonight.

UCF is led by Forward Taylor Hendricks as he leads the Knights in Points (14.8), Rebounds (6.9), and Blocks (1.8). Guards C.J. Kelly and Ithiel Horton are right behind him with 12.4 and 12.3 points per game, respectively.

Memphis lost at UCF last month in a double overtime thriller when the Tigers squandered a late double-digit lead and cost themselves a chance at a Quad 1 win. Although UCF (losing 5 of 7) has been up and down, the matchup tonight will be a solid Quad 2 opportunity for the Tigers.

The Prediction:

In the last matchup between these teams in Orlando last month, Ithiel Horton and C.J. Kelly combined for 51 points, including 8 threes and 21 points from the free throw line for the Knights while Kendric Davis scored 42 points for the Tigers. DeAndre Williams was in foul trouble throughout that game and fouled out in the first overtime with only 10 points. Considering how well DeAndre Williams has played since that contest combined with the continued excellence of Kendric Davis and the struggles of UCF recently, expect the Tigers to take care of business this time around and continue stacking that NCAA tournament resume.

Memphis 85, UCF 75

Matchup: Memphis Tigers (19-6, 9-3 in AAC) vs. UCF Knights (15-9, 6-6 in AAC)

Date/Time: Thursday, Feb. 26, 2023 / 7:00 PM CST

Location: FedExForum, Memphis, TN

TV/Stream/Radio: ESPN + / 98.9 THE ROAR OF MEMPHIS