Memphis Tigers Conclude Six-Game Road Trip Against Texas A&M Aggies
In college basketball, road trips are a crucible where teams are tested and champions are forged. For the Memphis Tigers, their six-game road trip has been a journey of highs and lows, victories and defeats, and lessons learned. The trip concludes this Sunday afternoon with a stern test against the No. 21/19 ranked Texas A&M Aggies at College Station’s Reed Arena, a showdown that will be aired live on ESPN2 at 3 p.m. As the Tigers look to close out their 23-day road adventure on a winning note, they face an Aggies squad that has been a formidable force this season.
Sunday’s matchup will be Memphis’s first visit to College Station in nearly 60 years. The last time these two sides met on Texas A&M’s home turf was on Dec. 13, 1965, a matchup that ended with a 93-84 victory for the Aggies. Fast forward 21,181 days and the Tigers are keen to rewrite history with a win that would significantly boost their morale and standing.
The game against the Aggies will be Memphis’ fourth encounter with a Southeastern Conference (SEC) opponent this season. Thus far, the Tigers have had a fair share of success against SEC teams, with wins at Missouri and against No. 20 Arkansas in the Bahamas. However, the sting of a three-point defeat at Ole Miss earlier this month still lingers. Over the last two seasons, Memphis has held its own against the SEC, posting a 6-2 record, with the only two losses coming against No. 4 Alabama and Ole Miss. Against Power Five programs, the Tigers have been even more impressive, boasting a 9-2 record with seven victories away from home.
The Tigers will return a home game to Texas A&M in 2023, reciprocating the Aggies’ visit to Bluff City last December. In that grueling encounter, which lasted almost three hours and saw 49 combined fouls, the Tigers eked out an 83-79 win. Last season’s meeting was the first face-off between these two programs since they met in the Sweet Sixteen round in 2007, adding another layer of intrigue and history to this upcoming matchup.
Memphis is fresh off an 85-80 overtime victory at VCU last Wednesday. This victory was a testament to the team’s resilience and fighting spirit. David Jones was a standout performer, pouring in a game-high 23 points, eight rebounds, and four steals in 40 minutes of play and achieving the milestone of 1,000 points for his career. Jahvon Quinerly was another key contributor, adding 20 points and a game-high six assists. Caleb Mills added a season-high 17 points in 29 minutes off the bench, while Malcolm Dandridge‘s hot streak continued with 10 points and seven rebounds. Despite trailing for over 30 minutes and leading for a mere 6:59, the Tigers showed their mettle to secure the victory.
Conversely, the Aggies come into Sunday’s game ranked No. 21 in the AP poll and No. 19 in the coaches poll. With wins over Ohio State, SMU, Penn State, and Iowa State under their belt, they pose a formidable challenge for the Tigers. Their recent 89-64 victory over DePaul at Reed Arena is a testament to their prowess. The Aggies set a school record with a 45.2 percent mark from distance, knocking down 14 of 31 three-point attempts. Their dominance on the glass has been a significant factor in their success, ranking No. 2 in offensive rebounds per game (17.7), No. 12 in rebound margin (+11.6), and No. 27 in total rebounds per game (41.8).
The Aggies are led by SEC Preseason Player of the Year Wade Taylor IV, averaging 18.0 points, 4.6 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. Senior forward Henry Coleman III is another key player, averaging 14.3 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. He currently leads the SEC and ranks 16th nationally with four double-doubles.
This Sunday’s game promises to be a riveting encounter between two teams steeped in history and laden with talent. As the Memphis Tigers aim to end their road trip on a high, the Texas A&M Aggies will intend to assert their dominance. Regardless of the outcome, basketball fans can expect a game of high intensity, strategic play, and remarkable performances from some of college basketball’s rising stars.
