At least 20 of the University of Memphis basketball team’s 31 regular season games will be broadcast on national television, the school announced Tuesday, and there’s a potential for more when the Tigers enter postseason play.
Here are 10 important games on the Tigers’ 2016-17 regular season schedule.
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. ESPN3
This will be head coach Tubby Smith’s first game for the U of M. The Tigers will try to kickoff the new era of Memphis basketball with a win against a UTRGV team that went just 8-22 last season.
University of Milwaukee, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. on ESPN3
Just two days after Smith leads the Tigers on to the floor for the first time, he will face what is likely to be his first test of the season. Milwaukee won 20 games during the 2015-16 season, but they will have to replace all five starters.
Providence College, Nov. 25 at 8:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network
The Tigers will play in the Emerald Coast Classic in Niceville, Florida, and their first opponent will be Providence, a team that won 24 games last season and went to the NCAA Tournament. Depending on what happens on the other side of the bracket, Memphis could find themselves matched up with Virginia and former Tiger Austin Nichols.
University of Mississippi, Dec. 3 at noon on SEC+
The Tigers and Rebels’ rivalry does not stop at football. Last season, Mississippi came to the FedexForum and defeated Memphis 85-79. Now, the Tigers will travel to Oxford for a revenge game.
University of Oklahoma, Dec. 17 at 11:30 a.m. on CBS
Depending on whether or not the Tigers end up playing Virginia, Oklahoma could be the highest profile non-conference opponent Memphis faces this season. The Sooners won 31 games last season, including an 84-78 win over Memphis in November, and made it to the Final Four. The Sooners lost three of their top four scorers from last season, but over the past three seasons, they have enrolled five four-star prospects. For comparison, Memphis only has three four-star prospects on its roster.
University of Connecticut, Jan. 5 at 6 p.m. on ESPN/ESPN2
Last season, the Tigers lost both of their games against UConn, but Memphis will get their chance for revenge at home Jan. 5. The Huskies will likely present a problem on the inside for Memphis as they have eight players listed at 6-foot-8 or taller – meanwhile, the Tigers only have three.
University of South Florida, Jan. 14 at 5 p.m. on CBS Sports Network
Like UConn, South Florida will present a problem for Memphis inside, as they boast seven players listed 6-foot-7 or taller, compared to only four for the Tigers. USF head coach Orlando Antigua is familiar with the Memphis program. He served as an assistant for the Tigers during the 2008-09 season before following John Calipari to Kentucky and spending another five seasons there before taking the USF job.
University of Central Florida, Jan. 22 at 3 p.m. on CBS Sports Network
The Knights return three of their top five scorers from last season, including Tacko Fall, a 7-foot-6, 300-pound center from Senegal. UCF hired former Stanford head coach Johnny Dawkins in the offseason, adding another big name to the American Athletic Conference that already features Tubby Smith, Mick Cronin, Kevin Ollie, Kelvin Sampson, Mike Dunleavy and Frank Haith.
University of Cincinnati, Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. on ESPN/ESPN2
The Tigers split last year’s series with the Bearcats, winning at home and losing on the road. By this time in the season, both teams should be jockeying for position as they near AAC tournament play. The Bearcats return two of their top three scorers from a season ago, including senior guard Troy Caupain, who lit the Tigers up for 25 points in the game at Cincinnati last season.
University of Houston, Feb. 26 at 4 p.m. on CBS Sports Network
The Tigers lost their only matchup with Houston last year 98-90 on the road. Memphis is primed for revenge in what will be their second-to-last home game of the season. Damyean Dotson and Galen Robinson Jr., who combined for 39 points in the win over Memphis last season, are back for the Cougars as well as leading scorer Rob Gray Jr.
