Bracketology 2022: Memphis, Rutgers, Virginia among latest winners

By Joey Loose | Feb 13, 2022

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 07: Reece Beekman #2 celebrares with Kihei Clark #0 of the Virginia Cavaliers after making the game-winning three-point basket against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 07, 2022 in Durham, North Carolina. Virginia won 69-68. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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Bracketology Landers Nolley II Memphis Tigers (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) /

Memphis

With Jalen Duren and Emoni Bates, two of the best recruits in the nation, the expectations were certainly increased for this Memphis program. What’s resulted has been a disappointing season, highlighted by rough losses to teams like Georgia and East Carolina during long rough stretches for the Tigers. In recent weeks, Memphis is getting back on track, and this week certainly helps them trend back towards an NCAA Tournament team.

First and foremost, they held serve at home during the week, handling Tulane 80-69 and containing the Green Wave’s interior offense. The win that really mattered came on Saturday, as the Tigers went to Houston and upset the Cougars 69-59, with a fantastic effort on both ends of the court. Landers Nolley had 20 points while Duren added 14 points and 11 rebounds in the much-needed win, now running the team’s winning streak to five straight games.

This is the kind of win Memphis needed, and it will certainly have a positive effect in the NET rankings and other metrics. The Tigers have had some disastrous performances this season, but seem to be finally putting things together over the last three weeks.

They aren’t exactly been overwhelmed by other talent in the AAC but have tough road games at Cincinnati and SMU in the coming week. If they don’t want this big win over Houston to go into vain, the Tigers better keep playing at this high level and you might just be seeing the Tigers in the NCAA Tournament.

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