Memphis vs Tennessee: 2019-20 College basketball game preview, TV schedule
By Joey Loose
Memphis and Tennessee meet in a huge interstate rivalry game. Can the Volunteers take care of business at home or will the Tigers score a great mid-December win?
TV schedule: Saturday, December 14, 3:00 pm ET. ESPN
Arena: Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee
With their top-ranked recruiting class, Memphis (8-1) has started the season with a spark, even if eligibility issues have temporarily sidelined future lottery pick, James Wiseman. They’ve taken care of business since losing to Oregon, winning their last six games. In their most recent outing, they forged a large second-half comeback to win at UAB.
Even without Wiseman (19.7 ppg, 10.7 rpg), this Memphis team has plenty of talent. Lately, it’s been freshman forward Precious Achiuwa (13.9 ppg, 9.4 rpg) causing the damage, leading the team with 14 points and 11 rebounds in that comeback against the Blazers. There’s also freshman guard Lester Quinones (10.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg), who’s missed time with a broken hand, while freshman forward D. J. Jeffries (12.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg) is another top young talent filling the void in Wiseman’s absence.
They sit at #13 in the AP Top 25, but Memphis is just 35th in KenPom’s rankings. These Tigers play at a fast pace and defend well, while their free throw shooting has been excellent in the early season. The offense has struggled these last few games, especially down low, and they’ll need to come up with answers against a much more potent opponent.
For Tennessee (7-1), a three-point blemish against a tough Florida State squad has been the only mistake so far this season. The Volunteers knocked off ranked teams in Washington and VCU and smashed Florida A&M in their most recent game. This program has certainly been trending upwards under coach Rick Barnes, but are they the best program in the state?
Tennessee is led by a pair of talented and experienced senior guards. Jordan Bowden (13.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg) and Lamonte Turner (13.8 ppg, 7.6 apg) were both double-digit scorers on last year’s Sweet Sixteen team and have transitioned nicely into starring roles. Someone to keep an eye on is junior forward John Fulkerson (11.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg), who led the Volunteers with 17 points in their win over VCU and has transitioned nicely into the starting lineup.
The Volunteers are ranked 19th in the AP Top 25 and sit at 21st in KenPom’s most recent rankings. They’re 14th in defensive efficiency, ranking near the very top of the nation in interior defense. The offense was a shortcoming against Florida State and this defense will certainly be challenged by Memphis’s length.
For the Tigers, they need to find a way to survive without Wiseman and Quinones, because their recent offense has been troubling. They need to control the game in the paint and hit their shots, especially in another raucous atmosphere. For the Volunteers, they need to play smart basketball. If they protect the basketball and play stiff defense, then they have a very good shot at beating another ranked team early in the season.
dark. Next. Vols keys to beat Memphis
Memphis is trending in the right direction, but they’re going to need a much better shooting effort to take care of business against this fierce state rival. The Volunteers’ defense will need to slow down this game, as the Tigers can be lethal in transition. If the Volunteers control the game, then Memphis is going to have a long day. With Memphis’s recent struggles, albeit against weaker competition, I see this being a tight and close game with the home team coming out on top.