The University of Memphis Tigers have a legitimate chance to make a deep run this March Madness, WMC Actions News 5 sports reporter Matt Infield told KWAM.
“This team, when they’re clicking on all cylinders, they could beat absolutely anybody in the country,” Infield told “Wake Up Memphis” Friday. “There are not many better duos in this tournament than Kendric Davis and DeAndre Williams.”
Head Coach Penny Hardaway has led Memphis to their second straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament and are looking to redeem their loss last year in the second round.The No. 8 Tigers will be facing their first opponent in the East Region, No. 9 Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Owls on Friday night at 8:20 p.m. CT.
Infield has high confidence in Memphis, who are just coming off their shocking upset in the American Conference Championship against top-ranked Houston.
Job's not finished. https://t.co/00qVuAc4y3
— Memphis Basketball (@Memphis_MBB) March 17, 2023
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Most projections have the Tigers advancing past the Owls but if there is anything hoop fans already know about the tournament, it’s that projections mean nothing at the big dance.
Already in the first day of the tournament, No. 13 Furman upset No. 4 Virginia and No. 15 Princeton shocked the nation by upsetting No. 2 Arizona on Thursday.The last time Memphis and Florida Atlantic met was back in the 1990s when Hardaway was on the team his junior year. However, the Owls are scheduled to join Memphis in the American Athletic Conference for next season.
Infield said this year is the perfect opportunity for Hardaway to make a statement.
“In my opinion, Penny has shown his chops the entire season,” he said. “I think by now, it’s pretty obvious he’s not just a recruiter that’s masquerading as head coach like a lot of people thought he would be. I think that a deep run would silence a lot of people.”
Time. To. Dance.
? » No. 9 FAU
⏰ » 8:20 PM
? » Columbus, Ohio
? » TNT#GoTigersGo pic.twitter.com/JxjwXFzcK0— Memphis Basketball (@Memphis_MBB) March 17, 2023
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH MATT INFIELD BELOW:
