No one had a clue that when the Tigers got ready to play the Marquette Golden Eagles that each of the teams would be the leaders in their divisions.
Memphis (12-8) and (6-1) in conference play is the leader of the American division.
Marquette (10-7) and (5-1) in conference play is the leader of the National division.
Memphis moves on to play Friday night having won its last eight games including six straight Conference USA games.
Friday's game will feature junior forward Kelly Wise at the power forward position.
Wise has been averaging double-doubles at 14.9 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.
Shyrone Chairman continues to lead the league in three-point percentage (48-6 percent) while averaging 9.8 points and 4.3 assists a game.
The Golden Eagles have won their last two games entering into the interdivisional showdown this weekend.
Marquette senior guard Brian Wardle is averaging 18.1 ppg this season while shooting 43.2 percent from three-point range.
He is also averaging 19.3 points in C-USA play while shooting 56.3 percent from behind the arc.
Friday's match will definitely be a game to watch.
The Memphis Tigers lead the league in scoring, averaging 76.6 points through its first seven games while Marquette is second in scoring defense.
There are a couple of things that Tigers fans should remember.
Memphis is 7-0 when five or more players score in double figures.
Memphis posted a 7-0 record during the month of January marking the first time since the Tigers 20-0 start to the1985-86 season.
The Tigers were 10-15 on February 2nd, Groundhog Day.
Memphis has advanced to post-season play five of the last six times it has won on Feb. 2nd.
Due to Friday's 6 p.m. tip-off, the U of M athletic ticket office located on campus will close at 3 p.m. on Friday.
If any tickets remain available at weeks end, fans may purchase them, as well as pick up will call tickets at the athletic ticket office located at Southern and Normal until 3 p.m. Friday.
The ticket office at The Pyramid will open Friday at 4:30 p.m.
Friday night's game was originally slated for Saturday but was moved to be broadcast by ESPN.
