MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It's been a rough week for the Memphis Tigers men's basketball team, dropping two straight games they were heavily favored in to conference opponents - one of which happened at home.
The Tigers entered the week ranked No. 10, their highest January ranking since 2009 and highest overall since being ranked ninth in 2021. After falling 74-73 to USF at home Thursday, and dropping Sunday's game to Tulane on the road 81-79, the Tigers fell the most spots of any Top 25 team, but still remain in the rankings at No. 19.
Memphis also fell 10 spots to No. 22 in the NCAA Coach's Poll.
Tulane fans stormed the court for their first win against an AP Top 10 opponent since 1983, a game in which Memphis led by as much as seven late in the game.
With just over six minutes remaining and the Tigers leading 70-65, in a 20-second sequence, Tulane's Sion James converted two free throws for the Green Wave and Kevin Cross forced a turnover. On the ensuing possession, Memphis senior Jahvon Quinerly was whistled for a flagrant foul that gave Tulane two more free throws. Cross then got a layup that resulted in a 6-0 run that put Tulane back in front. The Tigers never recovered, dropping what is now their third straight game at Tulane.
This followed an even more glaring second-half giveaway Thursday, when the Tigers led USF by as much as 20 points in the second half, only to lose by one after Quinerly narrowly missed a potential game-winning three-pointer.
Memphis now has a few days off before playing UAB in Birmingham Sunday on ESPN.
