The University of Memphis men's basketball team made quick work of Austin Peay on Thursday with a 95-69 win, but the team is slated to face a tougher adversary Tuesday against Oklahoma State University.
In the latest USA Today Coaches Poll, the Tigers (1-0) were ranked No. 11, and the Cowboys (3-0) grabbed the No. 9 spot. Memphis was also at the No. 11 place in the AP Top 25 list, and Oklahoma State was slightly higher at the No. 7 rank.
The Tigers will battle the Cowboys in Stillwater, Okla., in what is sure to be both schools' most challenging matchup of the early season.
Head U of M coach Josh Pastner said Tuesday's game should provide a great environment and true road test for the Tigers.
"This is the first time I think Memphis has played a true road test since 2005, back when Memphis played Alabama," he said. "It has been a while, this early of a game, in terms of a true road test."
With two more wins on the regular season than Memphis, the Cowboys are ranked No. 4 overall in points per game averaging 102.3. The high number is in part due to the thrashing the Cowboys served Mississippi Valley State University on Nov. 8 in their season opener. Oklahoma State beat the Delta Devils 117-62.
The Cowboys collected their most recent win on Friday against the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Cowboys defeated the Golden Lions 97-63. The Tigers will have to keep their eyes on a few Oklahoma standout shooters.
Sophomore Phil Forte had 22 points against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and senior Markel Brown also added 22 to the board. Sophomore Marcus Smart was the third Oklahoma State player to reach the double-digit mark. The guard contributed 16 to Friday's game.
Pastner said he has great respect for Smart but said there are multiple strong players on the Oklahoma team the Tigers will need to watch.
"I told our guys this is not about Marcus Smart," Pastner said. "Because even though he is a very good player, they have a lot of other good players, and you just can't key in on him, take him out and think you are going to win the game."
Pastner said every team in college basketball is well coached, every team has good players and no team can be taken for granted.
The fifth-season Memphis coach said the three-point shot is what makes the difference come game time.
"Why teams can beat teams is because of the three-point shot," Pastner said. "I've been saying it for a long time. It's the equalizer. It's the whole key. It's what the dunk was back in the day. The game has changed due to the three-point shot."
Senior guard Michael Dixon Jr. said it is going to be a fun and exciting game but said the Oklahoma State fans are known for their hostile and loud environment they create in the sixth-man role.
"We are going to face a lot of adversity, and it is going to be good to see how we respond," he said. "We are a young team and talented. We've got goals to achieve, and we are trying to do whatever we can to come out with a victory."
Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., and viewers can watch the action on ESPN or tune in to listen on WREC 600.
