Coach John Calipari characterized his team's game against Tulane on Saturday as one of the most dangerous games of the year and told forward Chris Douglas-Roberts that the Fogelman Arena was one of the toughest places to play in Conference USA.
So Memphis (23-2 overall, 9-0 in C-USA) will have their work cut out for them against the Green Wave (9-14, 4-6) if they want to set the program's best ever start at 24-2.
"Every little history we can try to make we're going to do it," said Douglas-Roberts. "We're going to definitely try and go after that. Twenty-four and two is a good record period for the school, the program, that would be just great for us."
However, Green Wave center Quincy Davis and the Green Wave's 6-2 record in New Orleans could give the Tigers one of their biggest road tests of the year. In addition, every opponent will play their biggest game of the year when they face Memphis, making any team dangerous.
"A couple years ago Cal said that was one of the toughest places to play in Conference USA at Tulane," said Douglas-Roberts.
After playing their first five home games outside Louisiana, Tulane has beaten C-USA bottom-dwellers East Carolina, Marshall and SMU.
"This is the biggest event, not the first event, but the biggest event in that city at this point since the hurricane," said Calipari. "They play two point guards, so our press won't be as effective."
When Memphis lines up against Tulane Saturday night they will have six players taller or as tall as Davis, Tulane's tallest player at 6-9.
Davis' play in this week's 87-82 loss against UAB stood out and may be an indication on who to watch out come Saturday. Davis scored 20 points to go along with 10 rebounds in 30 minutes of play.
Tulane played well against C-USA's second-best team, UAB, and could very well play better than their 4-6 conference record.
"We can't look at them like a 5-5 team," said Douglas-Roberts. "That's the type of mindset (Calipari) wants us to have."
Intensity is still somewhat of a problem for the Tigers, according to Calipari. However, the Tigers seem to have enough of it away from FedExForum, as The U of M is the only team in Division I college basketball that is undefeated on the road.
"Somehow we have to pick our intensity up," said Douglas-Roberts. "That's the biggest part of our team is picking our intensity up."
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. central time and will be aired on WLMT-TV.
