Memphis Tigers Battle Tulane Green Wave in AAC Championship Semifinal

FORT WORTH, Texas — The No. 16 Memphis Tigers (27-5, 17-2 AAC) will face the Tulane Green Wave (18-13, 13-6 AAC) in the American Athletic Conference Championship semifinals on Saturday at 3 p.m. EDT, a critical matchup for both teams as they vie for a spot in the finals.

The Tigers, who have dominated their conference this season, ranked fourth in the AAC with an average of 14.6 assists per game, are led by junior guard PJ Haggerty, who is averaging 21.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Memphis has proven a formidable opponent, averaging 80.1 points per game—10.7 points more than the 69.4 points per game Tulane allows.

Tulane, on the other hand, has had a successful season, highlighted by its strong defensive statistics. The Green Wave ranks second in the AAC, allowing only 69.4 points per game while forcing opponents to shoot 40.7% from the field. Rowan Brumbaugh has been a key player for Tulane, contributing 15.5 points, 4.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.

The two teams met earlier this season on January 31, with Memphis securing a 68-56 victory. Dain Dainja led the Tigers with 19 points in that match, while Brumbaugh also scored 19 to keep his team competitive.

As the teams prepare for their second encounter in the tournament, both squads come into the game with strong records. Memphis has gone 17-2 against AAC teams this season, while Tulane, holding a 13-6 record in the conference, will look to bolster their chances for a championship by upsetting the Tigers.

Recent performances indicate that Memphis is riding a wave of momentum, with a 9-1 record in their last 10 games, averaging 83.0 points and shooting 47.9% from the field. Meanwhile, Tulane has been competitive as well, posting a 7-3 record over the same stretch with an average of 72.6 points per game.

As the pressure mounts in this postseason matchup, all eyes will be on how both teams adapt and execute their game plans. A victory in this semifinal could pave the way for either Memphis or Tulane to claim the AAC championship, with the winner advancing to the finals.