IN THE RANKINGS
Florida Atlantic is up one spot to No. 14 in the latest Associated Press Men’s Basketball Top 25 and is up two spots to No. 12 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. With a win over previously undefeated Clemson, Memphis has entered the rankings this week at No. 23 in both polls.
SURGING TIGERS
Memphis has defeated three teams when they were ranked this season, including Arkansas in the Bahamas, at Texas A&M and at home against Clemson.
CROSS MAKING HISTORY
Tulane’s Kevin Cross recorded back-to-back triple doubles in games against Furman on December 14 and Southern on December 16. He posted 25 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists against the Paladins and 20 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds against the Jaguars. For his efforts, he was named one of the Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week.
Cross became the first player to have a triple-double in consecutive games against Division I opponents in 15 years and joining Penny Hardaway as the only Division I players with consecutive 20-plus point triple-doubles since assists became official in 1984. Cross was also only the eighth Division I player to record back-to-back triple-doubles.
Cross also became the second player to record two triple-doubles in a single season in American Athletic Conference history, joining ECU’s Isaac Fleming in 2017-18.
OFFENSIVE EFFICIENCY
Vladislav Goldin of Florida Atlantic ranks first in the nation in field goal percentage at 75.9 percent.
Tulane ranks leads the nation as a team, shooting 53.6 percent from the field, while Florida Atlantic is 12th at 50.8 percent. The Green Wave is also fourth in the country in scoring at 91.7 points per game.
TAKING ADVANTAGE FROM THE CHARITY STRIPE
Tulane ranks first in the nation in both free throws made per game (24.3) and free throws attempted per game (2.6). The Green Wave is converting at a 78.3 percent clip (12th in the nation).
SCHEDULE/RESULTS
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17
UAB 92, Montevallo 56
Oregon State 66, UTSA 65
Mississippi State 72, North Texas 54
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19
No. 22 Virginia at No. 23 Memphis (ESPN2). 7 p.m.
Houston Christian at SMU (ESPN+)………………. 8 p.m.
Mississippi Valley State at Tulsa (ESPN+)…. 8 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20
Delaware State at East Carolina (ESPN+)…… 7 p.m.
Prairie View A&M at Rice (ESPN+)………………….. 8 p.m.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21
Temple vs. Nevada (ESPNU)…………………………….. 3 p.m.
Army at UTSA (ESPN+)………………………………………… 8 p.m.
Wichita State vs. Kansas State (ESPN+) 8:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22
Temple vs. TCU/ODU (ESPN2/+)…………………………… TBD
Greensboro College at Charlotte (ESPN+)….. 1 p.m.
George Mason at Tulane (ESPN+)………………….. 2 p.m.
Albany at South Florida (ESPN+)…………………….. 2 p.m.
Drake at UAB (ESPN+)…………………………………………. 3 p.m.
SMU at Murray State (CBSSN)……………………….. 5 p.m.
Louisiana at Rice (ESPN+)…………………………………. 8 p.m.
New Mexico State at Tulsa (ESPN+)…………….. 8 p.m.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23
UT Arlington at North Texas (ESPN+)…………… 2 p.m.
No. 14 Florida Atlantic vs. No. 4 Arizona (FOX)… 3 p.m.
Vanderbilt at No. 23 Memphis (CBS)……………. 4 p.m.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24
Temple vs. TBD………………………………………………………….. TBD
All times ET and subject to change
