Memphis Looks to Keep Defensive Edge Sharp in Sunday Matchup with UTSA
**MEMPHIS, Tenn. ** - Coming off a gritty, grind-it-out win over Temple, the Memphis Tigers are looking to stack another one in the win column as they host UTSA on Sunday evening at FedExForum.
Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. CT, with national coverage on ESPNU.
That 55-53 victory over Temple wasn’t just another tally in the win column-it was a statement about this team’s identity. Memphis, now 8-8 overall and 3-1 in American Athletic Conference play, leaned on its defense to outlast a Temple squad that came in riding a seven-game winning streak and boasting one of the top three-point shooting percentages in the country. The Owls were held to just 2-of-19 from deep-an eye-popping 10.5%-after entering the game shooting nearly 38% from beyond the arc.
This wasn’t just a one-off defensive performance, either. It’s becoming a trend.
Under head coach Penny Hardaway, the Tigers have carved out a defensive identity that’s starting to define their season. Memphis ranks 28th in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency and has been particularly stingy guarding the perimeter.
Opponents are shooting just 29.7% from three overall, and that number drops even further to a suffocating 23.8% at FedExForum.
That home-court advantage has been real-and recent numbers back it up. In two conference games at home, Memphis has allowed just three made threes on 37 attempts.
That’s 8.1%. That’s not just defense; that’s demoralizing for opponents.
Sophomore guard Curtis Givens III led the way against Temple with 12 points, four rebounds, and two steals, while Sincere Parker gave the Tigers a much-needed jolt off the bench, chipping in 10 points, five boards, three assists, and two steals. For a team trying to find consistency, performances like these-especially from multiple contributors-are a promising sign.
And speaking of contributions, Memphis is getting them from just about everywhere. Ten different players have logged at least 200 minutes this season, tied for the most in the American Conference.
That kind of depth is rare, and it’s helping the Tigers stay fresh and flexible on both ends of the floor. It’s also the first time in the last 30 seasons that Memphis has had this many players with that level of involvement through 16 games.
Sunday’s game against UTSA marks just the fourth all-time meeting between the programs, and Memphis has taken both previous matchups played at home-including a wild 107-101 overtime win last January. While the history is limited, the stakes are clear: keep pace in the conference and extend a dominant home streak.
The Tigers have won 16 straight home games against American opponents, dating back to a January 2023 loss to Rice. Under Hardaway, Memphis is 56-9 at home in conference play.
And they’ve been clutch, too. Since Hardaway took over in 2018, Memphis has racked up 80 wins in games decided by nine points or fewer-fourth-most in the country over that span. When it gets tight, the Tigers tend to find a way.
Scouting the Roadrunners
UTSA rolls into Memphis on a 10-game skid, sitting at 4-13 overall and 0-5 in conference play. The Roadrunners are coming off an 89-73 loss to Rice and have struggled on the road, going just 1-6 away from home this season.
Offensively, UTSA is led by Jamir Simpson, who’s averaging 15.9 points per game-eighth-best in the American. He’s also knocking down 2.2 threes per game and pulling in 4.2 rebounds.
Austin Nunez adds 9.9 points and leads the team in assists (2.4) and free throw percentage (86.4%). Dorian Hayes chips in 8.5 points per game, while freshman Kaidon Rayfield leads the team on the glass with 6.0 rebounds per contest.
But the Roadrunners have had trouble keeping pace on both ends. They’re scoring 68.5 points per game while allowing 78.2, and their shooting splits-38.5% from the field and just 28.6% from three-haven’t been enough to offset defensive lapses.
Opponents are shooting nearly 43% overall and 34.1% from deep against them. UTSA is also being outrebounded by nearly four boards per game.
Head coach Austin Claunch is in his second season leading the program, and while he brings experience with 106 career wins across seven seasons, his Roadrunners are still searching for answers in a tough American Conference slate.
By the Numbers: Key Trends for Memphis
- 2: The Tigers have two wins this season when scoring under 60 points-against North Texas (57-48) and Temple (55-53). That hasn’t happened in at least a decade.
It’s a testament to just how tough this defense has become.
- 8.1%: That’s what opponents are shooting from three in conference games at FedExForum. Three makes on 37 attempts.
It’s not just good-it’s lockdown.
- 10: As mentioned, ten Tigers have played at least 200 minutes already. That’s depth you can trust.
- 16: Memphis has won 16 straight home games against American Conference teams. FedExForum has become a fortress.
- 80: Under Hardaway, Memphis ranks fourth nationally with 80 wins in games decided by nine points or fewer. That’s a team that knows how to close.
- 150-60: The Tigers have racked up 152 steals and 68 blocks through 16 games-marking just the second time in the last 10 seasons they’ve hit both those marks at this point in the year.
What’s Next
After Sunday’s home tilt, Memphis hits the road for a two-game swing. The Tigers travel to Tulsa for a Wednesday night matchup before heading to Wichita State next Saturday. With the conference standings still tight, every game matters-and if Memphis keeps defending like this, they’ll be in every one of them.
Tipoff against UTSA is set for 5 p.m. CT on ESPNU. Expect a defensive-minded Tigers team looking to make another statement-this time, against a struggling Roadrunners squad trying to find its footing.