For the first time since 2013, two in-state rivals will meet on the hardwood this Saturday.
No. 3 Tennessee (7-1) will take on Memphis (5-4) over in Memphis on Saturday for the first time in five years. The in-state rivalry was put on hold by former Tigers head coach Josh Pastner, but the series has been renewed and will have new life starting this weekend. Tennessee holds a slight 14-11 edge in the series over the Tigers, but Memphis has won three straight against the Vols.
For Memphis, this is their first season being led by legendary Tigers basketball player and former NBA player Penny Hardaway. He’s brought excitement back to the Memphis program, though this year he’s working with a relatively young team and a roster that’s undersized across the board.
The Tigers are led by Memphis native and freshman guard Tyler Harris. He leads the team with a 16.2 points per game average and has the best three-point shooting percentage on the team, hitting 39.5 percent of his threes. Senior guard Jeremiah Martin is second on the team with 14.1 points per game and leads the team with 3.7 assists per contest. Kyvon Davenport rounds out the top scoring threats, averaging 14 points a game and pulling down 6.8 rebounds a game.
Memphis is coming off a 94-76 win over UAB last Saturday, and they’re riding a two-game winning streak. The Vols, meanwhile, are fresh off a 76-73 upset victory over No. 1 Gonzaga last Sunday. Tennessee is on a three-game winning streak.
Tennessee was boosted to victory over the top-ranked Bulldogs last week thanks to Admiral Schofield’s career day, as he scored 30 points and nailed the game-winning three with 24 seconds remaining. Grant Williams leads the Vols in scoring and rebounding, averaging 19.9 points per game and 9.3 rebounds a contest.
The Vols are likely without reigning co-SEC Sixth Man of the Year Lamonte Turner once again. He’s only appeared in three games all season, and he sat out Tennessee’s contest against Gonzaga last weekend as he continues to work through a shoulder injury.
We have everything you need to know about today’s match-up right here. And if you couldn’t make it over to Memphis to watch these two teams square off, then we have all the information you need below to watch or listen to the Tennessee vs. Memphis game today.
Tip-Off: 12:00 Eastern, December 15th, FedExForum (Memphis, TN)
TV: ESPN2
Streaming Online: WatchESPN.com or ESPN app
Radio: Vol Network (99.1 FM or 990 AM in Knoxville/surrounding areas)
Line: Tennessee (-9)
