As the regular season wraps up, the Memphis Tigers are gearing up for the American Championship, entering the fray as the No. 8 seed. Their journey begins in Birmingham against the No. 9 seed Tulane on Wednesday at 6 p.m., broadcast on ESPNEWS. This matchup is a quick turnaround from Sunday’s nail-biting overtime thriller in New Orleans, marking the first step in Memphis’ quest to defend their tournament title from last year.
Last March, Memphis stormed through the competition to claim the trophy. This year, the path is more challenging, requiring five wins in five days to repeat as champions. The Tigers face a familiar foe in Tulane, a team they’ve battled twice this season already.
Sunday’s game was nothing short of dramatic. Memphis edged out a 96-95 victory in overtime, thanks to Quante Berry’s clutch free throws with just 2.3 seconds left on the clock. This win snapped a seven-game losing streak and secured their spot in the postseason.
The stage is set for a decisive rubber match against Tulane. Memphis will rely heavily on point guard Dug McDaniel, who has been the team’s offensive catalyst all season. McDaniel played the entire 45 minutes in Sunday’s game, notching 20 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, effectively steering the team in the clutch moments.
Quante Berry has been a revelation, delivering 22 points in the win at Tulane, marking his second 20-point performance in the last four games. His timely scoring was pivotal in securing Memphis’ postseason berth.
In the frontcourt, Thierno Sylla showcased his potential with a season-high 17 points and three blocks, while Aaron Bradshaw contributed 11 points. Their size could be a significant advantage against Tulane’s guard-heavy lineup.
A key focus for Memphis will be containing Tulane’s Rowan Brumbaugh, who dropped 31 points in their last encounter and was instrumental in Tulane’s late-game surge. Memphis will aim to tighten their defense and limit his impact.
With the bracket set, Memphis is ready to embrace the challenge ahead. A win against Tulane would propel them into the second round against No. 5 seed Charlotte. For now, the Tigers are focused on surviving the opening round and keeping their season alive.
As March unfolds, the defending champions are back in the mix, ready to make their mark once again.
GAME DETAILS
- Teams: No. 8 Memphis Tigers (13-18) vs.
No. 9 Tulane Green Wave (17-14)
- Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | 6 p.m.
- Location: Legacy Arena (15,000); Birmingham, Ala.
- Television: ESPNEWS
- Radio: 98.9 THE ROAR OF MEMPHIS
BY THE NUMBERS
- Memphis is vying for its third American Conference Tournament title, which would set a league record and make them the lowest-seeded champion as a No. 8 seed.
- They could become the fourth team in conference history to beat the same opponent in both their regular-season finale and conference tournament opener.
- The Tigers boast a 15-9 all-time record in the American Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament, with 11 wins under head coach Penny Hardaway.
- Dug McDaniel has been on a tear, averaging 21.6 points over his last five games, a stark contrast to his earlier season performance.
- Memphis’ bench has been a powerhouse, contributing 42.5 percent of the team’s scoring, potentially setting a new conference record.
The Tigers are ready to tip-off their title defense, with all eyes on Birmingham.