UNLV’s Jeremiah ‘Bear’ Cherry Ready to Face Memphis in Highly Anticipated Basketball Matchup

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Rebels are gearing up for a significant matchup against the Memphis Tigers in college basketball, with a particular focus on the performance of their new big man, Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry. Cherry, a junior forward, made a stellar debut in UNLV’s season opener against Alabama State, scoring 24 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in a 93-79 victory.

Cherry’s impressive start has set high expectations for his first season in Division I basketball. He has boldly stated his goal to be the newcomer of the year, reflecting his determination and confidence. Cherry’s journey to UNLV was not straightforward; he was overlooked in high school and had to prove himself in junior college before earning Division I offers.

The upcoming game against Memphis on Saturday, November 9, at the Thomas & Mack Center, will be a crucial test for Cherry. He will face off against Memphis’s dominant big men, Moussa Cisse and Dain Dainja. Cisse had 14 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks in Memphis’s season-opening win over Missouri, while Dainja, an Illinois transfer, contributed six points, eight rebounds, and two assists.

Coach Kevin Kruger praised Cherry’s debut performance and acknowledged the challenge ahead. “For a transfer or freshman, that first game carries a lot of buildup,” Kruger said. “He understands that Cisse and Dainja are a different animal because they’re bigger and more experienced. He has to take that same approach and carry it over into (Saturday)”.

The game is expected to be highly competitive, with both teams coming off strong season-opening performances. Memphis won their opener against Missouri 83-75, while UNLV defeated Alabama State 93-79. The matchup is set for 3:00 PM PT, and it will be broadcast on the Silver State Sports & Entertainment Network and the Mountain West Network.

Betting odds favor Memphis slightly, with the Tigers listed as 1.5-point favorites and an over/under of 158 points. The game is anticipated to be high-scoring, given the offensive prowess of both teams in their opening games.