The time that hoops fans have been waiting for is finally at hand: The start of the 2019-20 University of Memphis men’s basketball season.
While their regular season tips off on Nov. 5 against South Carolina State, first up are two exhibition games: Christian Brothers University on Oct. 24, followed by LeMoyne-Owen College on Oct. 27.
The Tigers will get to see two different styles when they play Christian Brothers University and Lemoyne-Owen College. The Tigers style of play will be closer to the up-tempo attack LeMoyne-Owen plans to use. Meanwhile, CBU may provide a glimpse into how other teams will try to counter the Tigers’ high-powered offense, because, like many teams, CBU knows they can’t run with Memphis.
If Memphis Madness gave faithful Tiger fans a spoonful of what to expect this season, these exhibitions are a whole helping. Not only were the summer exhibition games in the Bahamas not televised, neither James Wiseman nor Precious Achiuwa played. These exhibition games will be the first chance to see the whole team in action.
James Wiseman may not have gotten the full respect of the AAC member coaches in not being named All-Conference first team. The national media felt different and named the freshman to the Associated Press First Team All-American.
The Tigers are ranked 14th in the Associated Press preseason Top 25 basketball poll.
“I don’t know if they are judging the talent that we have or the coaching staff, to be ranked so low,” said Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway. “It is a blessing to be in the Top 25. I thought we would be a little higher. It gives us more fire to go out and prove that we are worthy of a higher pick.”
The Tigers will face CBU at 7 pm on Thursday, October 24 and will play LOC on Monday October 28 at 7 pm. Both games will be played at the FedExForum.
