The Saint Louis Billikens (2-0) will host the Memphis Tigers (1-0) in an early showdown between the Atlantic 10 and the American Athletic Conference. Last season Memphis beat Saint Louis 90-74 as a 10.5-point home favorite.
Memphis came into the season rated No. 33 in the country by SI.com and a distant second in the conference behind Houston. The Tigers are led by Penn Hardaway, who is beginning his fifth year as head coach. Last season. Hardway led Memphis to a 22-11 record and a tough 82-78 second-round loss in the NCAA Tournament to Gonzaga.
Two-stepping our way back to Beale with a ?????? #GoTigersGo pic.twitter.com/QAsNsxNPJN
— Memphis Basketball (@Memphis_MBB) November 8, 2022
The Tigers lost a lot of young talent from last season's team but have more experience coming into this season. DeAndre Williams, a 6'9 senior who averaged 11.1 ppg and 5.8 rebounds last season, led the Tigers with 17 points and five rebounds in their 76-67 season-opening win at Vanderbilt. Kendrick Davis was second on the team with 16 points in the win. Davis is expected to be a huge impact player after transferring from SMU, where he averaged 19 ppg from 20-21 and 19.4 ppg during the 21-22 season. Joining Davis in the backcourt is 6' senior guard Alex Lomax who averaged 6.1 ppg last season and had 10 points and 10 rebounds against Vanderbilt.