Memphis Tigers Survive Upset Bid At Home

At this point in the season, teams will take wins however they can get them, and that is exactly what the Memphis Tigers did Wednesday.

The Tigers had to claw their way to an ugly victory against a Central Florida Knights team that came into the game 1-9 in conference play. Memphis has now won seven of the team’s last eight games and has won in a number of ways in the current streak, but the Tigers propensity to play to the level of their opponent could hurt them down the stretch.

The Tigers pulled away late to win a physical battle at the FedEx Forum 76-70 in a game that required a total team effort. Joe Jackson led the team with 18 points, five rebounds and five assists as he continues his ascension to one of the best guards on the college level. Shaq Goodwin and Chris Crawford also played big roles in the game, combining for 24 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. The Tigers have now won two tough-fought second half victories in as many games, but can Memphis keep the incredible season going down the stretch?

The Tigers’ last three games of the regular season feature teams ranked in the current top-25, with those games ultimately deciding who wins the inaugural American Athletic Conference title. Those three games will also go a long way in determining the seeding for the Tigers in the NCAA tournament. The Tigers’ current roster looks eerily similar to that of  the 2007-08 squad that made it all the way to the championship game, but can this year’s team produce a similar result?

Memphis is one of the best offensive teams in the country, but it will be the Tigers’ defense that determines how far the team can go in the NCAA tournament.

Greg Douglas is a college basketball writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @thegpd93 or add him to your Google Network.