Game #31 • Memphis vs. Tulsa • Page 4 MEMPHIS LOOKING TO SET C-USA CLOSECALL HISTORY • If there is such a category in the Conference USA record book, the Tigers will be a part of it with a win or narrow loss (fewer than five points) at Tulsa Saturday. • Memphis’ three C-USA losses to date all were fewer than five points (68-67 at UCF; 75-72 at Southern Miss; 60-58 home loss to UTEP). • Heading into Saturday, that makes Memphis the first C-USA regular season champ (outright or shared) with multiple losses (two or more) to have all its setbacks by five or fewer points. C-USA Regular Season Champion (Two or more losses) Champ/C-USA Rec./Yr. Memphis/12-3/2011-12 Memphis/12-4/2003-04 Marquette/14-2/2002-03 Cincinnati/11-5/2000-01 Cincinnati/12-4/1998-99 Cincinnati/14-2/1997-98 Cincinnati/11-3/1995-96
Fewer 5 3 2 1 3 3 1 2
Total 6 22 10 26 15 10 10
Fewer 5 — losses by five or fewer points Total — combined margin (total points) in all losses
DO YOU REMEMBER? ... PART 1 • After they took over the No. 1 spot in both national polls in 2007-08, the Tigers’ first foe was Tulsa in Tulsa, Okla., on Jan. 23, 2008. • Memphis moved to the top position in both national polls on Jan. 21, 2008, and then two days later, met the Golden Hurricane in the Reynolds Center. Memphis won that encounter 56-41.
La st Y e a r ’s Me e tin g • 2 0 1 0 -11
Tulsa 68 • Memphis 65 Feb. 2, 2011 • Memphis, Tenn. • FedExForum The Memphis Tigers, owners of the nation’s best record in conference home games over the last five years, fought one of their toughest battles of the season before falling to a veteran-laden Golden Hurricane squad 68-65 in Conference USA action. Memphis did a good job defending C-USA scoring leader Justin Hurtt. The Tulsa guard missed his first 11 shots from the field and was held to no first-half points for the first time this season due, in large part, to the defensive presence of Chris Crawford, who marked Hurtt throughout the contest. An early Tarik Black dunk set the tone for the Tigers, who scored their first 20 points from inside the paint. However, a four-minute scoring drought in the first half allowed Tulsa to grab a 23-21 lead with under five minutes to play before halftime. A four-point play from Will Barton jump-started the Tigers, whose offense had gotten stagnant after Black left the game with three fouls. Memphis nursed a threepoint lead at 30-27 into halftime. Memphis started out strong in the second half, stretching the lead out to 10 points at 37-27 with 17:11 left. The run was highlighted by a D.J. Stephens’ monster dunk. The Tigers held Tulsa without a bucket for almost three minutes to begin the second half before Hurtt finally got on the board. Tulsa slowly chipped away at the Tigers lead, whittling the deficit down to one with eight minutes remaining. A Joe Jackson foul on Tulsa’s Scottie Haralson threepoint attempt gave Tulsa its first lead of the second half with 7:36 to go, but Will Barton equalized the game at 51-all on the other end with two made charity tosses. Antonio Barton then made another huge threepointer for the Tigers — his second of the game — to put Memphis up two at 54-52 with 5:50 left. The teams traded baskets and possessions down the stretch with neither gaining the upper hand for long. Two
Hurtt free throws with 1:19 to go put the Golden Hurricane up one at 62-61. Hurtt then followed with a runner in the lane with 36 seconds left put Tulsa on top for good at 64-61. Crawford put up a three early in the shot clock on the next possession that was unsuccessful. After an exchange of free throws and layups, the Tigers had a final chance to tie the game when Antonio Barton stole the Tulsa in-bounds with :05 left. His and his brother’s desperation three-point attempts both came up short. Tulsa Richard Idlet Pope Hurtt Haralson Clarkson Peete Maduka Magley TEAM Totals
FG-A 0-1 8-11 1-4 4-18 2-9 3-8 1-4 0-2 2-5
3P-A 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-3 2-9 2-5 0-2 0-0 0-0
FT-A RB TP A TO 4-6 4 4 0 0 1-1 7 17 0 2 0-0 3 2 2 1 3-3 5 11 3 2 7-7 5 13 1 2 7-8 0 15 3 2 0-0 1 2 0 0 0-2 5 0 1 0 0-0 6 4 1 2 5 21-62 4-19 22-27 41 68 11 11
B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Memphis Coleman Black Jackson Crawford Barton, W. Barton, A. Barham Stephens TEAM Totals
FG-A 3-8 6-13 6-10 0-6 2-8 2-4 0-1 3-5
B 2 4 1 0 1 0 0 0
3P-A 0-0 0-0 0-3 0-4 1-4 2-4 0-0 0-0
FT-A RB TP A TO 5-8 10 11 1 0 1-3 9 13 0 4 4-5 3 16 2 4 0-0 3 0 4 4 6-7 4 11 3 2 2-2 2 8 2 1 0-0 1 0 0 0 0-0 3 6 1 2 3 22-55 3-15 18-25 38 65 13 17
S Min 0 17 2 21 0 13 1 34 1 34 1 29 1 10 1 16 2 26
3 9 200 S Min 0 33 0 22 1 32 0 36 4 36 2 22 0 2 0 17
8 7 200
Tulsa 27 41 — 68 Memphis 30 35 — 65 Officials: Shows, Crawford, Eades; Attendance: 15,953
FedExForum
The Home of The Tigers The 2011-12 season marks the eighth for the Tigers in their home arena, FedExForum, which officially opened in September, 2004. Located just a few feet off Beale Street on historic Highway 61, FedExForum rises to extend the heart of the Memphis entertainment district. Memphis plays all of its 2011-12 home contests in the 18,400seat arena, which serves as the host for the 2012 Conference USA Tournaments (men/women). FedExForum was also the host site for the 2005-09 Conference USA Tournaments, 2009 NCAA Men’s South Regional and 2010 NCAA Women’s South Regional. At 135 feet high, FedExForum provides a new backdrop for historic Beale Street. The 805,850 square-feet arena, covering 13.8 acres, features five levels as well as state-of-the-art locker rooms and facilities for sports teams, as well as an exceptional dining and entertainment experiences for its patrons.
Capacity: 18,400 Open House: Sept. 6, 2004 First Event: Usher concert, Sept. 17, 2004 First Memphis Tiger event: Midnight Madness, Oct. 15, 2004 First Memphis exhibition game: vs. Christian Brothers, Nov. 6, 2004 (81-70, W) First Memphis regular season game: vs. Savannah State, Coaches vs. Cancer, Nov. 11, 2004 (102-40, W) Memphis record in FedExForum: 142-17 (.893 winning percentage)
2011-12 • Memphis • Tigers • Basketball