Memphis’ head coach Penny Hardaway shouts to his players during the game between Arkansas State University and the University of Memphis at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on Sunday, December 8, 2024. With a long track record of home success against non-conference foes, Virginia will face its toughest test of the season Wednesday night when No. 21 Memphis visits Charlottesville, Va.
The Cavaliers (6-4) are 5-0 at home this season and 103-10 at John Paul Jones Arena against out-of-conference teams since 2009-10.
However, Virginia also is 0-3 this season against Top 25 opponents, losing to then-No. 11 Tennessee, then-No. 22 St. John’s and then-No. 13 Florida by a combined 65 points.
Meanwhile Memphis (8-2) improved to 5-0 against Atlantic Coast Conference teams under seventh-year coach Penny Hardaway with Saturday’s 87-82 overtime road win vs. then-No. 16 Clemson.
The victory vaulted the Tigers back into the AP Top 25 this week. They were ranked 16th on the strength of November wins against UConn and Michigan State before a stunning 85-72 home loss to Arkansas State on Dec. 8.
“I would say this is the biggest win of the season, even though we’ve beaten UConn,” Hardaway said after the victory in Clemson, S.C. “We’ve beaten Michigan State. Great teams. (But) to come into this building after losing a game — having a hiccup, in our minds, against Arkansas State — to get a win is just a blessing.
“We showed who we were again today.”
Tyrese Hunter led Memphis with 23 points against Clemson, including seven 3-pointers, and Colby Rogers added 22 points. Dain Dainja tallied seven of his 11 points in the second half and overtime, including two layups to send the game to OT and two clutch free throws with 15.3 seconds left.
For the season, PJ Haggerty leads the Tigers in average scoring (21.9), assists (3.5) and steals (2.2). Hunter (16.0), Rogers (13.4) and Dainja (10.9) also are scoring in double figures, and Dainja leads the team in rebounding (6.3).
Virginia has been idle since Thursday’s 59-41 home win against Bethune-Cookman. The Cavaliers struggled early but finished the game on a 25-4 run fueled by Elijah Saunders (15 points) and freshmen Jacob Cofie (12 points, 10 rebounds) and Ishan Sharma (12 points).
“We got a great lift from the freshmen,” interim coach Ron Sanchez said. “You gotta go through some experiences in order for you to grow, and Ish is a hard worker. Jacob is a really hard worker as well.”
Isaac McKneely leads the Cavaliers with averages of 12.9 points and 3.0 assists per game and is shooting 46.9 percent from 3-point range. The only other player scoring in double figures is Saunders at 10.0 per game.
Including its five home wins this season, Virginia has won 13 straight at home against non-conference programs since a 69-61 loss to then-No. 5 Houston on Dec. 17, 2022.
Virginia played Bethune-Cookman without starting point guard Dai Dai Ames, who sustained a sprained ankle in a Dec. 7 loss at SMU. The Kansas State transfer averages 8.1 points per game, and his status for Wednesday is uncertain.
Memphis and Virginia split two previous meetings. The Tigers won 77-54 at home last December, and the Cavaliers won 78-60 to reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in 2014 in Raleigh, N.C.
–Field Level Media