IN THE RANKINGS
Memphis moved up two spots to No. 13 in the latest AP Top 25 and USA Today Coaches Poll. Florida Atlantic checks in at No. 24 in the AP Top 25 and No. 25 in the coaches poll.
CHARLOTTE’S TOP-20 WIN
Charlotte defeated then-No. 17 Florida Atlantic, 70-68, on January 6 for the 49ers’ first ranked win since defeating Michigan in the 2013 Puerto Rico Shootout and the first Charlotte win at Halton Arena since January 27, 2010 over then-No. 15 Temple.
BACK-TO-BACK GAME WINNERS
In each of Memphis’ first two American Athletic Conference contests, Jahvon Quinerly has stepped up and hit a game-winning 3-point field goal. He first defeated Tulsa on the road on January 4 before doing it again at home against SMU on January 7.
LENDEBORG’S IMPRESSIVE STREAK
According to Sports-Reference.com, UAB’s Yaxel Lendeborg is the only player in the nation this season that has three games with at least 20 points and 15 rebounds, and he’s accomplished the feat in each of his last three contests.
Lendeborg recorded 24 points and 15 rebounds against UNC Asheville on December 19 and has started conference play with 23-point, 15-rebound performances against UTSA (January 2) and South Florida (January 7).
CRANKING UP THE DEFENSE
North Texas ranks third in the country in scoring defense at 58.9 points per game allowed, while SMU is ranked eighth at 61.7 ppg allowed. In field goal percentage defense, the Mustangs are second (36.6 percent) and the Mean Green are ninth (38.2 percent). SMU is also fourth in 3-point field goal percentage defense, at 26.3 percent.
TAKING ADVANTAGE FROM THE CHARITY STRIPE
Tulane ranks first in the nation in both free throws made per game (21.4) and free throws attempted per game (28.9).
OFFENSIVE EFFICIENCY
Vladislav Goldin of Florida Atlantic is shooting 71.7 percent from the field, which ranks first in the nation with five or more field goals made per game.
Tulane ranks eighth in the nation as a team, shooting 50.6 percent from the field. The Green Wave are also eighth in the country in scoring at 86.9 points per game.
SCHEDULE/RESULTS
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3
Tulane 84, Rice 59
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4
South Florida 76, Temple 68
No. 15 Memphis 78, Tulsa 75
North Texas 74, Wichita State 62
SATURDAY, JANUARY 6
North Texas 70, Tulane 56
UTSA 89, Rice 82 (OT)
Charlotte 70, No. 17 Florida Atlantic 68
SUNDAY, JANUARY 7
Temple 68, Wichita State 61
UAB 75, South Florida 71
East Carolina 62, Tulsa 57
No. 15 Memphis 62, SMU 59
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10
Tulsa at Charlotte (ESPN+)……………………………….. 7 p.m.
East Carolina at Temple (ESPN+)……………………. 7 p.m.
UTSA at Memphis (ESPN+)……………………………….. 8 p.m.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11
Florida Atlantic at Tulane (ESPN2)………………… 7 p.m.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12
Rice at South Florida (ESPNU)………………………… 7 p.m.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 13
SMU at East Carolina (ESPN+)…………………………. 4 p.m.
Temple at North Texas (ESPNU)……………………. 6 p.m.
Charlotte at UTSA (ESPNU)………………………………. 8 p.m.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 14
UAB at Florida Atlantic (ESPN+)……………………….. Noon
Memphis at Wichita State (ESPN2)………………. 1 p.m.
Tulane at Tulsa (ESPN+)…………………………………….. 3 p.m.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16
Charlotte at Rice (ESPN+)…………………………………. 8 p.m.
Temple at SMU (ESPN+)…………………………………….. 8 p.m.
All times ET and subject to change
