Tulsa, OK (Sports Network) - The Tulane Green Wave will try to deny the
Memphis Tigers their record-setting seventh Conference USA Tournament title
when the two clash in the quarterfinals at the BOK Center on Thursday.
Tulane stumbled down the stretch with four consecutive losses by an average of
5.5 ppg to close out the regular season. The Green Wave's poor finish made it
the eighth-seed, although it could have finished tied for third had it won
out. Tulane rallied back from a 13-point deficit in the second half on
Wednesday to defeat Marshall, 66-64, and advance to face the Tigers. Ricky
Tarrant scored 21 points for the eighth-seeded Green Wave while Josh Davis
posted 18 points and 12 boards.Kendall Timmons added 10 points, five rebounds
and four assists to help Tulane snap a four-game losing streak.
This season, Davis leads Tulane with 17.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.
Tarrant ranks second with 16.1 ppg, and he leads the Green Wave with 3.5 apg
as well. Callahan stands third with 10.9 ppg. The Green Wave are averaging
69.2 ppg and giving up 64.6 ppg.
If Tulane pulls off the upset, it will take on either East Carolina or Tulsa
in the semifinals.
An upset if highly unlikely though, as Memphis dominated the league during its
final tour through it before it joins the current Big East for 2013-14. The
Tigers were one of just three Division I teams to finish the regular season
without a loss in league action. The other two schools, Norfolk State and
Gonzaga, have already won their respective conference tournaments. Memphis
relied heavily on do-everything guard Will Barton last season, en route to the
title. This year's squad is much more balanced, which led to just as positive
results. Memphis, which is ranked 20th in the polls, has only lost one game
since Dec. 15, and that setback came at the Cintas Center to a tough Xavier
Musketeers unit.
Junior guard Joe Jackson (13.8 ppg, 4.9 apg) is clearly a leader of the Tigers
this season. Sophomore swingman Adonis Thomas (11.3 ppg) was once projected to
be an NBA lottery pick. Although his numbers aren't overwhelming, he is
definitely starting to impress scouts once again with his athleticism and
scoring ability. Thomas is not the only capable forward for the Tigers, as
Tarik Black, Shaq Goodwin and D.J. Stephens are all solid role players.
Memphis is the league's third-best team in forcing opponents' miscues. The
Tigers are forcing their foes to turn the ball over 15.6 times per
contest.Memphis is the league's third-best team in forcing opponents' miscues.
The Tigers are forcing their foes to turn the ball over 15.6 times per
contest. Memphis has not lost a C-USA Tournament game since 2010 and its most
recent loss before that came in 2005.
The Sports Network