After a quick road game against Tulsa, the Tigers (13-7, 4-3 American Athletic Conference) return to FedEx Forum to take on the No. 9 Cincinnati Bearcats (18-2, 7-0 AAC) at 5 p.m. Saturday. This will be the second time these two teams have faced off, with the Bearcats winning 82-48 on New Years Eve. The Tigers are currently on a three-game home winning streak.
A look at the opponent
The Bearcats currently boast an 11-game win streak on the season. They have won their games comfortably, with a 21-point scoring margin per contest. After falling to Xavier the Bearcats have won their last four road games. Their most notable game during their road trip was a 14-point victory against UCLA. As a team they shoot 46 percent from the field and 36 percent from beyond the arc. They have struggled from the foul line, only shooting 69 percent.
Head Coach Mick Cronin’s bunch has been stifling on the defensive end of the floor, forcing their opponents to shoot only 36 percent from the field. That is good for first in the AAC. Their scoring defense is also currently tops in the conference, allowing 56 points per game.
What to watch
A big key this game for the Tigers will be if they can take better care of the basketball. Against Tulsa, they committed a season-high nine turnovers in their 13-point loss to the Golden Hurricanes. They also struggled to find quality looks offensively, shooting an abysmal 35 percent from the field. The first half was even worse, as they shot 25 percent from the field and only converted two of their 14 attempts from beyond the arc.
Players to watch
Cincinnati guard Jacob Evans
The Bearcats have a balanced offensive attack, with four players averaging double-digit scoring totals on the year. But their most consistent offensive weapon has been Evans. He currently leads the team in scoring with 13 points per game. He has also contributed in other areas of the floor, grabbing four rebounds and dishing out three assists per game. Evans has been arguably their most consistent threat from beyond the arc as well, shooting 40 percent.
Memphis forward Mike Parks Jr.
It has been a productive stretch for the junior. He was recently named to the weekly AAC honor roll for his play in games last week versus UConn and Tulsa. This was the first time he has received the award.
Parks has been extremely efficient his last two games. He shot 14-of-21 from the field and added 18 rebounds and three blocks. Against UConn, he set career-highs in points, rebounds and shots made. This has been a continuation of strong conference play for the Southwest Mississippi transfer, as he is shooting 65 percent from the floor in the Tigers’ seven conference games.
The University of Memphis Athletic Department has teamed up for a special offer with our corporate partners at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee will provide 2,000 free tickets for the game. Tiger fans interested in the free tickets can stop by the Athletics Ticket Office in the Penny Hardaway Hall of Fame at 570 Normal St. to pick them up. Each person is able to pick up a maximum of four tickets at a time. Tickets will be available Friday from 8:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m.
University of Memphis junior forward Mike Parks Jr. goes up for a layup in a game against the Tulane Green Wave. Parks has averaged 65 percent shooting from the floor in the Tigers' seven conference games so far.
