IN THE RANKINGS
Florida Atlantic is ranked No. 20 in the AP Top 25 this week and No. 22 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, while Memphis is receiving votes in the AP poll.
COMPETITIVE CONFERENCE PLAY
The American has had 23 of the 62 conference games in the 2023-24 either finish within three and/or gone to overtime. The percentage of close games, 37.1 percent, is the highest amongst major conferences (next closest is the Big 12 at 25.4 percent).
BULLS RIDING HIGH
South Florida has won seven consecutive games in American Athletic Conference play and is 8-1 in league action, the best start in league play in program history.
49ERS ON A ROLL
Charlotte is on an 8-game winning streak, all of which has been during American Athletic Conference play. It marks the 49ers’ first 8-game win streak in conference play in program history.
PILING UP THE WINS
Florida Atlantic has 53 victories since the start of the 2022-23 season, most in Division I.
Wins Since Start of 2022-23 Season
1. Florida Atlantic 53
2. Houston 52
3. UConn 50
Purdue 50
5. San Diego State 49
LENDEBORG’S BIG GAMES
UAB’s Yaxel Lendeborg recorded a 23-point, 16-rebound performance in the Blazers win over No. 19 Memphis on January 28. It was Lendeborg’s fourth game with at least 23 points and 15 rebounds this season.
According to Sports-Reference.com, Lendeborg is tied for the nation lead with four games of the kind, alongside Zach Edey of Purdue.
CRANKING UP THE DEFENSE
North Texas ranks fourth in the country in scoring defense at 60.2 points per game allowed. In field goal percentage defense, SMU is eighth at 38.7 percent and is fourth in 3-point field goal percentage defense, at 27.5 percent.
TAKING ADVANTAGE AT THE CHARITY STRIPE
Tulane ranks second in the nation in free throws made per game (20.1) and is third in free throws attempted per game (27.1).
PUTTING THE BALL IN THE BUCKET
Memphis’ David Jones leads The American and is sixth in the nation in scoring at 21.8 points per game.
Tulsa’s PJ Haggerty is the nation’s leading freshman scorer at 19.8 points per game, and ranks seventh overall in the nation with 152 made free throws.
SCHEDULE/RESULTS
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31
South Florida 71, East Carolina 60
Tulsa 79, Wichita State 68
Rice 74, Memphis 71
UAB 82, North Texas 79 (OT)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1
SMU 80, Tulane 76
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3
Memphis 65, Wichita State 63
Charlotte 67, East Carolina 52
Rice 80, UTSA 76
No. 20 Florida Atlantic 102, Tulsa 70
South Florida 60, North Texas 55
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4
Tulane 92, Temple 80 (OT)
SMU 72, UAB 69
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6
Charlotte at South Florida (ESPN2)……………… 9 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7
UTSA at Wichita State (ESPN+)………………… 7:30 p.m.
SMU at Rice (ESPN+)…………………………………………… 8 p.m.
North Texas at Tulsa (ESPN+)…………………………. 8 p.m.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8
Memphis at Temple (ESPN2)…………………………… 7 p.m.
Florida Atlantic at UAB (ESPN2)…………………….. 9 p.m.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10
South Florida at Rice (ESPN+)…………………………. 3 p.m.
East Carolina at UTSA (ESPNU)………………………. 4 p.m.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Florida Atlantic at Wichita State (ESPN2)….. Noon
Tulane at Memphis (ESPN2/ESPNU)…………….. 2 p.m.
North Texas at SMU (ESPN2/ESPNU)…………… 2 p.m.
Charlotte at Temple (ESPN+)…………………………… 2 p.m.
UAB at Tulsa (ESPN+)………………………………………….. 2 p.m.
All times ET and subject to change
