Memphis vs Michigan: 2023-24 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

This quarterfinal of the Battle 4 Atlantis pits Memphis against Michigan; can the Wolverines get back on track or can the Tigers claim another solid early season win?

TV schedule: Wednesday, November 22, 5:00 pm ET. ESPN2

Arena: Imperial Arena in Nassau, Bahamas

Though still members of the AAC, Memphis (3-0) will certainly face their fair share of challenges throughout the nonconference schedule. They already possess a road win at Missouri, a 15-point affair nearly two weeks ago, and have looked great out of the gate this season. Penny Hardaway’s squad will look to assert themselves in a new-look conference and fully intend to make a splash at Atlantis.

David Jones (15.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg) is the big name to watch for the Tigers this season, though there’s plenty of talent in Memphis’s frontcourt. Fellow forward Jordan Brown and Jaykwon Walton are also averaging double figures through three games while former Villanova and Alabama point guard Jahvon Quinerly (14.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4.3 apg) has settled in nicely with the Tigers.

Thanks to their hot start and recent success, Memphis is on the brim of the national rankings and currently sit 31st in KenPom. Their offense and defense are nearly equal in the efficiency rankings, though it was their defense that came up big in that road win against Missouri. This team looks ready for another big test and could have the talent to make serious noise in the Bahamas.

On the other side, things were starting pretty well for Michigan (3-1), who have been without head coach Juwan Howard due to a heart procedure before the season. They’ve also been without Hunter Dickinson, the former All-American who’s now at Kansas. Three wins, including at Madison Square Garden against St. John’s were diminished greatly when the Wolverines were upset last week at home by Long Beach State.

The big offseason addition for the Wolverines was Olivier Nkamhoua (18.3 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 3.8 apg), the Tennessee transfer who is already making big moves at Michigan. Sophomore guard Dug McDaniel (21.0 ppg, 6.3 apg) has really broken out early this season and looks like one of the best young guards in the Big Ten. There’s plenty of other talent in the frontcourt, with Michigan getting nice contributions from Will Tschetter and Terrance Williams as well.

That home loss to Long Beach State squashed any chance of the Wolverines being ranked at this point in the season, though they sit in decent shape at 36th in the KenPom rankings. There’s certainly potential here for the Wolverines with their talent, but disasters like last Friday cannot occur in the Bahamas. Michigan sits 15th in the nation in offensive efficiency, but giving up 94 points to the Beach simply cannot happen.

Based on momentum alone, it’s hard not to give a slight edge to the Tigers, though these two teams are pretty evenly matched. There are sneaky, talented point guards leading the charge for a pair of teams that lean heavily on their forwards. Memphis has clearly had a bit more success this season, especially on defense, and that may be the game changer against the Wolverines.

It’s cliché, but whoever makes the most shots will win this game. Neither team has been lights out from long-range, but neither has struggled either. Michigan simply must play significantly better on the defensive side if they want to have a chance against the Tigers. Memphis hopes to contain Nkamhoua and this frontcourt, and should do just enough to get to the semifinals.

Prediction: Memphis 79, Michigan 74