The Memphis Tigers (8-11 overall, 3-3 American Athletic Conference) are set to take on conference opponent Tulane Green Wave (13-6, 3-3 AAC) on Jan. 30. The Tigers are hoping to get back to their winning ways after suffering their first lost in four games against Cincinnati 80-56.
The Green Wave have dropped their last three games, most recently to Wichita State 62-44, and need a spark to ensure that they don’t get left behind in the conference. This is the first of two meetings between these team this season and will determine who will be the first to get four wins in conference play.
Memphis Tigers
In the last four games, the Tigers are 3-1, which has helped them to get more comfortable in conference play. Their defense has been key in their victories, allowing an average of 54 points, including two games where they held their opponents to 46 or less points. They’ve been a force at making opposing offenses to take difficult shots and defending those shots. This season, they have five players with double-digit blocks and four with double digit steals this season.
Their last game against the Cincinnati Bearcats was their first significant setback since their three-game losing streak earlier in the month and the most points they’ve allowed since November. Cincinnati had six players with double-digit points, with forward IImar’I Thomas leading the way with 19 points. She shot 100 percent from the field.
Memphis had three double-digit scorers of their own but shot just 35.6 percent from the field, which allowed Cincinnati to distance themselves as the game went on. Their leading scorer was forward Kiana Coomber with 11 points, a first for her this season.
Tulane Green Wave
The Green Wave’s current three-game losing streak is their longest of the season and hurts more considering they’re all against conference opponents. They lost each of their games by at least 18 points and failed to score 50 points in any of their contest. Luckily for them, they started off the year strong and still have a season average of 62.4 points. Despite forward Krystal Freeman being the only player averaging double-digit points per game, Tulane has been able to find offensive success by being one of the conference’s top teams in terms of assists.
In their last game against Wichita State, their offense struggled early, scoring just four points in the first quarter. They began scoring at a better pace as the game progressed, but they still shot 29.6 percent from the field by the end of the game. Defensively, they held the Shockers to shooting 43.8 percent from the field but allowed three players to each score at least 12 points.
Freeman led the team with 12 points, but no other player scored more than six points. In addition to having trouble making shots, Tulane turned the ball over 17 times.
Game Prediction
With both teams coming off loses, it’s imperative for both teams to pull out a win and improve their conference record. Tulane will come into this game with more motivation since they’ve lost the last three games, but I think that Memphis’ defense will make it difficult for Tulane to get much momentum going.
Don’t be surprised to see guard Jamirah Shutes have a bounce back performance after scoring a season-low four points. Also, I expect that as forward Ashia Jones gets healthier, she will provide more of an impact towards the team’s offense.
Score prediction: 57-43 Memphis
