USF men’s basketball attempts to spoil commanding Memphis season
USF takes on No. 19 Memphis Thursday in what could be the Bulls’ most important conference game this season.
Memphis (20-4, 10-1 AAC) has sat atop the American Athletic Conference (AAC) throughout the season, while the Bulls (12-12, 5-6 AAC) have struggled to find their footing in the conference.
In USF’s last six games, the Bulls have lost four matchups, including a 22-point loss to FAU Feb. 2.
In those six games, South Florida shot 29% from the 3-point line.
For Memphis, the same cannot be said. The Tigers have not lost a game since Jan. 16, marking a seven-game winning streak.
During their winning streak, Memphis shot 40% from beyond the arc.
Related: USF athletes balance coursework with competition
Last season, USF took down then-No. 10 Memphis in dramatic fashion, winning 74-73.
The victory was the second of the Bulls’ 15-game win streak, which propelled them to an AAC regular season title.
The Bulls’ win spelled disaster for Memphis, as the Tigers lost eight of their remaining 15 games in the season, including a second-round loss to Wichita State, which bounced them from the AAC tournament.
Although the Bulls are not in the same position they were last season, a win over a top-ranked Memphis team could give them good momentum at the right time.
USF has six games left after Memphis as they look to make noise in the AAC tournament. The Bulls currently sit at the middle of the pack, ranked seventh in the conference.
Getting hot at the right time could spell an opportunity for USF to make a deep postseason run.
So far this season, USF has stumbled trying to light its fire. Now, the Bulls face their toughest in-conference test so far.
The Bulls have struggled from beyond the arc this season, shooting just 33%. On the other hand, Memphis has efficiently shut down opponents three point shooting, allowing 33% on shots from three.
USF averages 11.4 turnovers a game, while Memphis picks up 7.7 steals a game.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Bulls have their work cut out for them in the form of Memphis guard PJ Haggerty.
Haggerty, a redshirt sophomore, averages 21.6 points per game on 51% shooting.
During the Tigers’ seven-game winning streak, Haggerty has been their leading scorer in six games.
Haggerty also averages 3.5 turnovers per game.
In the Bulls’ last three games, senior forward Jamille Reynolds has led the way. Reynolds exploded against Temple with a career-high 25 points as USF squeaked out a 100-91 double-overtime win.
Related: USF men’s basketball wins 2OT thriller, AAC honors Abdur-Rahim
Reynolds could pose a serious threat for the Tigers due to his interior presence. Memphis center Moussa Cisse is listed at 6-foot-11, the same height as Reynolds. However, the difference lies in the 46 pound weight advantage in favor of Reynolds.
The Bulls take on Memphis at 9 p.m. Thursday in the Yuengling Center. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 and Bulls Unlimited.
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