Memphis Tigers Aim to Extend Winning Streak Against Temple Owls

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The Memphis Tigers, ranked 17th nationally, are set to face the Temple Owls in a crucial American Athletic Conference (AAC) matchup tonight at the Liacouras Center. The game, scheduled for 7:00 PM ET and broadcast on ESPN2, will see the Tigers aiming to extend their 4-game winning streak and maintain their undefeated record in conference play.

Memphis (13-3, 3-0 AAC) has already notched impressive non-conference victories this season against teams like UConn, Michigan State, Clemson, and Ole Miss. However, their recent narrow 74-70 win over East Carolina raised concerns about their performance as they prepare for March Madness. Head coach Penny Hardaway emphasized the importance of style points in the NCAA‘s NET rankings, stating, ‘How you win games that you’re supposed to win matters. They have us favored for the rest of the year in our conference. That’s a lot of pressure.’

The Tigers’ success this season has been fueled by standout performances from PJ Haggerty, who averages 22.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Haggerty’s shooting efficiency—49.5% from the field and 42.3% from beyond the arc—poses a significant challenge for Temple’s defense. On the other side, the Owls (10-6) rely on Jamal Mashburn, who averages 20.7 points per game, to lead their offense.

Memphis has been dominant defensively, forcing an average of 13.9 turnovers per game, while Temple has shown resilience at home, holding opponents to a 41.6% shooting percentage. Despite the Owls’ home-court advantage, Memphis’ depth and proven ability to compete against top-tier teams make them the favorites in this matchup.

As the Tigers prepare for the postseason, their NCAA Tournament projections remain strong. Joe Lunardi of ESPN projects Memphis as a 5-seed in the Midwest Regional, while Jerry Palm of CBS Sports has them as a 3-seed in the East. With nine Quad 1 and Quad 2 wins, Memphis is tied for the most in the nation, solidifying their position as a contender for March Madness.

Tonight’s game is not just about extending a winning streak—it’s about making a statement. As Hardaway put it, ‘You get the W and keep moving on. Keep pushing.’