Memphis Tigers Face Wichita State in AAC Quarterfinal Showdown

FORT WORTH, Texas — The American Athletic Conference basketball tournament reaches its quarterfinals on Friday, with the top-seeded Memphis Tigers taking on the eighth-seeded Wichita State Shockers at 1 p.m. ET at Dickies Arena.

Memphis (26-5), ranked No. 16 nationally, received a bye into the quarterfinals after winning the conference tournament in 2023. The Tigers aim to extend their five-game winning streak against a Wichita State team (19-13) that advanced to this stage by defeating South Florida on Thursday.

The latest oddsmakers’ line shows Memphis favored by 9.5 points, with an over/under total set at 146.5. The game marks a rematch of the two teams’ earlier meeting, in which Wichita State pulled off an upset by defeating Memphis 84-79 in overtime, handing the Tigers their only loss in the last 14 games.

Memphis coach Penny Hardaway has emphasized the significance of their rest advantage. “We’re coming off a full week of preparation, and now we are facing a team that had to fight for their place in this tournament. That’s a big factor,” he said.

Wichita State will need to outperform its typical shooting standards, as they rank near the bottom nationally in effective field goal percentage. The Shockers have found success with a physical style of play, demonstrating a competitive edge with a strong defensive lineup and rebounding performance. Paul Mills‘ squad leads the AAC in total rebounds and is third in offensive boards, which could be pivotal against a Memphis team that struggles on the glass.

Memphis boasts a potent offensive attack, averaging 80.2 points per game with a field goal percentage of 47.7%. The Tigers are led by PJ Haggerty, who averages 21.2 points and has remained a scoring threat throughout the season. Haggerty’s last game against Wichita State saw him shoot only 22.2% from the field, a performance he aims to improve upon.

The Shockers counter with players like Xavier Bell and Corey Washington, who average 15.1 and 13.4 points per game, respectively. Washington was instrumental in Wichita State’s prior victory over Memphis, recording 18 points and 15 rebounds.

“We know what’s at stake,” Washington said. “We’ve played Memphis tough before. If we can push our pace and dominate the boards, we have a great chance to compete.”

As game day approaches, analysts anticipate a tightly contested matchup. While Memphis is favored, the Shockers are expected to leverage their rebounding strength and attempt to control the tempo, which has been a hallmark of their recent success. If Wichita State can replicate their rebounding performance and limit turnovers, they could keep the game close and potentially cover the spread.

The stakes are high in this AAC quarterfinal, with Memphis looking to avenge their earlier loss and advance to the semifinals, while Wichita State aims to secure their first AAC Tournament championship. Fans can expect an exciting battle between two distinctive styles of play.