While he won't be in the lineup tonight when the Tigers face sixth-ranked Tennessee at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, senior guard Marcus Moody, the team's second-leading scorer, is back.
Moody, who said he was unhappy with his role under first-year head coach John Calipari, quit the team before the Tigers traveled to play Arkansas this weekend. While he watched from a television, Memphis (2-4) lost to the Razorbacks, 74-68, in Fayetteville.
Sunday, however, Moody apologized to teammates and coaches, according to a statement released by The U of M, opening the door for his return.
"I was frustrated things were not going my way," Moody said. "My teammates and the city of Memphis have meant a lot to me. I just don't want to be remembered leaving on a sour note and as someone who quit this team. And I didn't want to let my teammates down. You are a Tiger for life."
Calipari said the team would welcome him back, but announced Moody would not make the trip to Knoxville and would be fighting for minutes when he rejoins the team.
"He understands obviously that he will be starting at the bottom of the totem pole and will have to earn minutes back on the floor," Calipari said in the statement.
Memphis could have used Moody Saturday.
The Tigers got 20 points and 12 rebounds from junior forward Kelly Wise, but couldn't overcome 20 turnovers, which Arkansas (5-1) converted into 15 points, and poor second-half shooting.
Tonight at 6:30, Memphis will face its fifth Top 25-ranked team in seven games this season. The undefeated Volunteers (6-0), who rallied to beat West Virginia Saturday,79-78, are led by former East High School standout Tony Harris (13.5 points, 5.8 assists per game) and 6-7 junior swingman Vincent Yarbrough (13.7 points, 6.7 rebounds).
Tennessee has been shooting the ball extremely well this season,
hitting 49.6 percent of their shots, so Memphis will have to look to box out and limit the Vols' second-chance scoring opportunities to come up with its first win over a ranked team.
