Memphis shoots for 51st straight C-USA triumph

Posted: Wed Feb 11 10:34 AM

Memphis, TN (Sports Network) - The eighth-ranked Memphis Tigers continue their run through the Conference USA schedule, as they welcome the Tulsa Golden Hurricane to town for a key conference battle this evening from FedExForum.

John Calipari's Tigers have won an amazing 50 straight C-USA tilts (postseason included) and come into this matchup with an unblemished 8-0 league ledger to date. The team took a break from conference play last weekend and won its 14th straight game overall, with a 68-50 pasting of a good Gonzaga team. With the win, Memphis reached the 20-win plateau for the ninth straight season.

Doug Wojcik's Golden Hurricane are still in the hunt for the conference crown, boasting of a 7-2 conference record. Tulsa has a bit of momentum going as well, having won five straight games, including last weekend's 76-65 victory over UTEP.

This is the 29th all-time meeting between these two teams. Memphis has won the last eight matchups to give the Tigers a 16-12 lead in the overall series.

Tulsa relies on stingy defensive play to get the job done this season, a successful formula to this point in the season. Opponents are being held under 40 percent shooting by the Golden Hurricane (.385), leading to just 60.2 ppg. In addition, Tulsa has done a good job on the boards, outrebounding foes by 6-.8 rebounds per game. Offensively, the team looks to Ben Uzoh and Jerome Jordan to lead the way. Uzoh is both the team's top scorer (14.9 ppg) and distributor (85 assists) and also paces the team in steals (35). Jordan is a force in the paint, as the seven-foot junior is shooting .589 from the floor, while averaging 14.4 ppg. He also leads the team in rebounding (9.2 rpg) and blocked shots (61). Scoring depth comes in the form of Ray Reese and Justin Hurtt, who chip in with 9.5 and 9.1 ppg, respectively. In the latest win over UTEP, Jordan was once again masterful down low, posting 22 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks. Reese and Hurtt added 11 points apiece, while Uzoh finished with 10.

The Tigers have thrived at both ends of the floor this season and as a result, are enjoying a +15.6 scoring margin. Despite shooting a mediocre .442 from the field, Memphis is averaging a hardy 76.6 ppg. Scoring depth is apparent, with four of the five starters averaging double figures. Leading the way is freshman sensation Tyreke Evans. The 6-6 youngster is a versatile performer, making his presence felt as a scorer (17.0 ppg), rebounder (5.4 rpg), distributor (87 assists) and defender (53 steals). Antonio Anderson (10.4 ppg) provides support from the perimeter, while forwards Robert Dozier (12.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg) and Shawn Taggart (10.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg) are the driving forces up front. Doneal Mack rounds out the starting five with 9.3 ppg. Memphis turned up the heat defensively against Gonzaga, holding the Zags to their lowest point total of the year this past weekend. The Tigers, which won their 20th game of the season, blew the game open in the second half, upping their lead to 26 points at one point, before cruising to victory. Evans led the way at the offensive end with 22 points. He was joined in double figures by Dozier, who posted a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.