MEMPHIS TIGERS FACE #11 AUBURN IN HOLIDAY HOOPSGIVING

Tigers trying to get to 3-0 against the SEC in the early season

The Memphis Tigers (7-2) head back on the road to neutral site Atlanta to face the #11 ranked Auburn Tigers (8-0) on Saturday at 4 p.m.  The game is part of the Holiday Hoopsgiving showcase held at State Farm Arena involving 10 teams.

This is only the second meeting between the two schools. The first contest happened in 2020 in this same Atlanta event. Auburn won that game by a score of 71-74. That matchup was a slugfest with both teams struggling to hit shots and relying on their defense. Memphis led most of the 1st half, but the 2nd half went back and forth until Auburn took the lead with 3 minutes left in the game and held on.

Memphis enters Saturday’s meeting on a 5-game winning streak in which they have not trailed during the 2^nd half of any game. The Tigers are led on offense by senior PG Kendrick Davis who is averaging 17 points and 5 assists. However, Davis has not seemed to be 100% over the past few games and has struggled a bit with his offense. Through Davis’s injury, senior PF Deandre Williams has picked up his scoring – leading the team with back-to-back 17-point games. Memphis will need both Williams and Davis, along with the entire rotation, playing at a high level in order to knock off Auburn.

The game will be the first time Memphis has faced a ranked opponent this year. Auburn has been in the top 15 since the preseason and is currently undefeated at 8-0.  Memphis is getting a few votes in the polls and a win over Auburn could push the team into the top 25.

Auburn is coached by Bruce Pearl – who has some success coaching against Memphis. Going back to his Tennessee tenure, Pearl is 5-2 against Tigers teams. He has built a solid program at Auburn, winning at least one game in 3 of the last 4 NCAA tournaments. They are led by junior PG Wendell Green, who is averaging 13 points and 4 assists on the year.

In the Little Rock postgame, when asked about the upcoming game, Coach Hardaway had this to say. “I respect Coach Pearl a lot and his team is going to play hard. I want those tough games to see where we are.”

The matchup will be the first Quad 1 game for both programs. The two teams have one common opponent so far this season. Memphis lost a hard-fought game at Saint Louis 90-84. Auburn played SLU at home and won a closely contested game 65-60. This will be a battle of top defenses. KenPom has Auburn at #5 in defensive efficiency, and Memphis at #20.

This will be the Tigers’ third of five early season games against SEC opponents. Memphis won at Vanderbilt and beat Ole Miss at home. The team also has upcoming games at Alabama (12/13) and then back home against Texas A&M (12/17).

Since students have completed final exams and are on holiday break, the Tigers will take an extended stay on this road trip. The team will stay in Atlanta after the game and will watch the NBA Hawks play on Sunday. They will then travel directly to Tuscaloosa for the Tuesday game with #8 Alabama.

GAME DETAILS

Memphis (7-2) vs. #11 Auburn (8-0)

Saturday, December 10 at 4 p.m. CST

State Farm Arena – Atlanta, GA

Television:  ESPN2

Radio:  WKIM 98.9 FM