2019–20 Memphis Tigers men's basketball team

The 2019–20 Memphis Tigers men's basketball team represented the University of Memphis in the 2019–20 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. This was the 99th season of Tiger basketball, the second under head coach Penny Hardaway, and the seventh as members of the American Athletic Conference. They played their home games at the FedEx Forum.

2019–20 Memphis Tigers men's basketball
Barclays Center Classic Champions
ConferenceAmerican Athletic Conference
Record21–10 (10–8 AAC)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
Home arenaFedExForum
Seasons
2019–20 American Athletic Conference men's basketball standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Cincinnati135 .7222010 .667
No. 22 Houston135 .722238 .742
Tulsa135 .7222110 .677
Wichita State117 .611238 .742
UConn108 .5561912 .613
Memphis108 .5562110 .677
SMU99 .5001911 .633
UCF711 .3891614 .533
South Florida711 .3891417 .452
Temple612 .3331417 .452
East Carolina513 .2781120 .355
Tulane414 .2221218 .400
Note: The 2020 AAC tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rankings from AP poll

Previous season

The Tigers finished the 2018–19 season 22–14, 11–7 in AAC play to finish in fifth place. They defeated Tulane and UCF in the AAC tournament before losing to Houston in the semifinals. In the 2019 NIT Tournament, they defeated San Diego in the first round before losing to Creighton in the second round.

Offseason

Departures

NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotes
Kyvon Davenport0F6'8215SeniorGainesville, GAGraduated
Jeremiah Martin3G6'3185SeniorMemphis, TNGraduated
Raynere Thornton4G/F6'6230SeniorMarietta, GAGraduated
Kareem Brewton5G6'2195SeniorClaxton, GAGraduated
Mike Parks10F6'8250SeniorCleveland, OHGraduated
Antwann Jones11G6'6205SophomoreOrlando, FLTransferred to Creighton[1]
Victor Enoh12F6'7250SophomoreDecatur, GATransferred to Marist[2]
David Wingett50G/F6'7200FreshmanWinnebago, NETransferred to South Dakota State[3]

Incoming transfers

NameNumPos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotes
Isaiah Stokes4F6'8"270RS SophomoreMemphis, TNTransferred from Florida. Under NCAA transfer rules, Stokes will have to sit out for the 2019–20 season. Will have three years of remaining eligibility.

2019 recruiting class

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeightCommit date
Malcolm Dandridge
C
Memphis, TNEast HS6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)200 lb (91 kg)May 2, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 83
D. J. Jeffries
SF
Olive Branch, MSOlive Branch HS6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)210 lb (95 kg)Oct 27, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 91
James Wiseman
C
Nashville, TNEast HS7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)230 lb (100 kg)Nov 20, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 97
Damion Baugh
PG
Memphis, TNTennessee Prep Academy6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)185 lb (84 kg)Mar 7, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 81
Lester Quiñones
SG
Brentwood, NYIMG Academy (FL)6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)180 lb (82 kg)Mar 10, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 84
Boogie Ellis
CG
San Diego, CAMission Bay High School6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)165 lb (75 kg)May 13, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 88
Precious Achiuwa
PF
Port Harcourt, NigeriaMontverde Academy (FL)6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)210 lb (95 kg)May 17, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 95
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: #1  247Sports: #1  ESPN: #1
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Memphis 2019 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  • "2019 Memphis Tigers Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  • "2019 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  • "2019 Memphis Tigers Basketball 24/7 Sports Commits". 247sports.com. Retrieved May 17, 2019.

2020 recruiting class

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeightCommit date
Moussa Cissé
C
Conakry, GuineaLausanne Collegiate School (TN)6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)210 lb (95 kg)07/15/20[4] 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 92
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

2021 recruiting class

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeightCommit date
Emoni Bates*
SF
Ypsilanti, MIYpsi Prep Academy6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)201 lb (91 kg)08/25/21[5] 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 98
Jalen Duren*
C
Philadelphia, PAMontverde Academy (FL)6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)230 lb (100 kg)8/6/21[6] 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 97
Josh Minott
SF
Boca Raton, FloridaSaint Andrew's School6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)175 lb (79 kg)08/08/20[7] 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 84
Johnathan Lawson
SF
Memphis, TennesseeWooddale High School6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)165 lb (75 kg)4/22/21[8] 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 84
Sam Onu
C
Malvern, PennsylvaniaThe Phelps School6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)235 lb (107 kg)10/13/20[9] 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 81
John Camden
SF
Wolfeboro, New HampshireBrewster Academy6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)195 lb (88 kg)09/30/20[10] 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 79
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 1  247Sports: 1
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

Roster

2019–20 Memphis Tigers men's basketball team
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
F0D. J. Jeffries6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)225 lb (102 kg)FrOlive Branch HSOlive Branch, Mississippi
G1Tyler Harris5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)150 lb (68 kg)SoCordova HSMemphis, Tennessee
G2Alex Lomax6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)190 lb (86 kg)SoEast HSMemphis, Tennessee
F4Isaiah Stokes  6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)250 lb (113 kg)RS SoFloridaMemphis, Tennessee
G5Boogie Ellis6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)175 lb (79 kg)FrMission Bay HSSan Diego, California
G10Damion Baugh6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)185 lb (84 kg)FrTennessee Prep AcademyNashville, Tennessee
G11Lester Quiñones6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)210 lb (95 kg)FrIMG AcademyBrentwood, New York
G12Ryan Boyce (T)6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)185 lb (84 kg)RS FrEast HSMemphis, Tennessee
F14Isaiah Maurice6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)224 lb (102 kg)SrSouth Plains JCDurham, North Carolina
F15Lance Thomas6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)224 lb (102 kg)RS SoLouisvilleNorcross, Georgia
C23Malcolm Dandridge6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)250 lb (113 kg)FrEast HSMemphis, Tennessee
G25Jayden Hardaway6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)195 lb (88 kg)RS FrIMG AcademyMemphis, Tennessee
C32James Wiseman (S)7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)240 lb (109 kg)FrEast HSNashville, Tennessee
F55Precious Achiuwa6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)225 lb (102 kg)FrMontverde AcademyPort Harcourt, Nigeria
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on
  • (T) Transferred
  • Injured
  • Current redshirt

Roster
Last update: September 6, 2019

  • Nov 8, 2019 - James Wiseman was ruled ineligible by the NCAA. After filing and subsequently dropping a lawsuit against the NCAA, Wiseman was ruled ineligible from November 20 to January 12.[11]
  • Dec 11, 2019 - Ryan Boyce entered his name into the transfer portal.[12] He would later transfer to Georgia State.[13]
  • Dec 19, 2019 - Wiseman left the team to focus on preparing for the 2020 NBA draft.[14]

Schedule and results

Date
time, TV
Rank#Opponent#ResultRecordHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsSite (attendance)
city, state
Exhibition
August 14, 2019*
5:00 p.m.
vs. Commonwealth Bank GiantsW 114–83 1–0
 21  Jeffries  8  Tied  6  Harris Baha Mar (–)
Nassau, Bahamas
August 15, 2019*
5:00 p.m.
vs. NPBA SelectW 135–60 2–0
 22  Jeffries  13  Baugh  3  Quiones Baha Mar (-)
Nassau, Bahamas
August 17, 2019*
4:00 p.m.
vs. Bahamas Select National TeamW 87–77 3–0
 19  Harris  10  Jeffries  6  Baugh Baha Mar (300)
Nassau, Bahamas
August 18, 2019*
10:00 a.m.
vs. Raw Talent EliteW 107–77 4–0
 17  Ellis, Jeffries  12  Jeffries  8  Lomax Baha Mar (–)
Nassau, Bahamas
October 24, 2019*
7:00 pm
No. 14 Christian BrothersW 86–53 5–0
 22  Achiuwa  9  Achiuwa  7  Harris FedExForum (15,403)
Memphis, TN
October 28, 2019*
7:00 pm
No. 14 LeMoyne–OwenW 88–63 6–0
 21  Achiuwa  11  Achiuwa  6  Harris FedExForum (15,363)
Memphis, TN
Regular season
November 5, 2019*
7:00 pm, ESPN3
No. 14 South Carolina StateW 97–64 1–0
 28  Wiseman  11  Wiseman  8  Baugh FedEx Forum (16,002)
Memphis, TN
November 8, 2019*
6:00 pm, ESPNU
No. 14 UIC
Barclays Center Classic
W 92–46 2–0
 22  Ellis  9  Wiseman  6  Quinones FedEx Forum (15,923)
Memphis, TN
November 12, 2019*
8:00 pm, ESPN
No. 13 vs. No. 14 Oregon
Phil Knight Invitational
L 74–82 2–1
 16  Quinones  12  Wiseman  7  Baugh Moda Center (7,296)
Portland, OR
November 16, 2019*
1:00 pm, ESPN3
No. 13 Alcorn State
Barclays Center Classic
W 102–56 3–1
 21  Quinones  10  Quinones  5  Lomax FedExForum (15,471)
Memphis, TN
November 20, 2019*
7:00 pm, ESPN3
No. 16 Little Rock
Barclays Center Classic
W 68–58 4–1
 16  Achiuwa  12  Achiuwa  7  Lomax FedExForum (15,390)
Memphis, TN
November 23, 2019*
12:00 pm, ESPN3
No. 16 Ole MissW 87–86 5–1
 25  Achiuwa  11  Achiuwa  7  Lomax FedExForum (17,875)
Memphis, TN
November 28, 2019*
3:00 pm, ESPN2
No. 16 vs. NC State
Barclays Center Classic
W 83–78 6–1
 21  Ellis  11  Achiuwa  7  Lomax Barclays Center (1,778)
Brooklyn, NY
December 3, 2019*
8:00 pm, CBSSN
No. 15 BradleyW 71–56 7–1
 17  Lomax  14  Achiuwa  3  Baugh FedExForum (15,517)
Memphis, TN
December 7, 2019*
4:30 pm, CBSSN
No. 15 at UABW 65–57 8–1
 14  Achiuwa  11  Achiuwa  3  Lomax Bartow Arena (5,041)
Birmingham, AL
December 14, 2019*
2:00 pm, ESPN
No. 13 at No. 19 TennesseeW 51–47 9–1
 11  Harris  13  Achiuwa  3  Lomax Thompson–Boling Arena (21,868)
Knoxville, TN
December 21, 2019*
12:00 pm, ESPN3
No. 11 Jackson StateW 77–49 10–1
 20  Achiuwa  9  Achiuwa  6  Lomax FedExForum (15,925)
Memphis, TN
December 28, 2019*
12:30 pm, ESPN2
No. 9 New OrleansW 97–55 11–1
 18  Achiuwa  10  Achiuwa  7  Baugh FedEx Forum (15,501)
Memphis, TN
December 30, 2019
12:30 pm, CBSSN
No. 9 TulaneW 84–73 12–1
(1–0)
 16  Quinones  10  Achiuwa  8  Tied FedEx Forum (15,544)
Memphis, TN
January 4, 2020*
12:00 pm, CBS
No. 9 Georgia
American/SEC Alliance
L 62–65 12–2
 20  Achiuwa  15  Achiuwa  4  Lomax FedExForum (17,272)
Memphis, TN
January 9, 2020
6:00 pm, ESPN2
No. 21 at No. 23 Wichita StateL 67–76 12–3
(1–1)
 22  Achiuwa  12  Achiuwa  4  Lomax Charles Koch Arena (10,506)
Wichita, KS
January 12, 2020
3:00 pm, ESPN2
No. 21 at South FloridaW 68–64 13–3
(2–1)
 22  Achiuwa  11  Achiuwa  7  Lomax Yuengling Center (5,209)
Tampa, FL
January 16, 2020
6:00 pm, ESPN
No. 22 Cincinnati
Rivalry
W 60–49 14–3
(3–1)
 18  Jeffries  11  Achiuwa  5  Lomax FedEx Forum (16,079)
Memphis, TN
January 22, 2020
8:00 pm, ESPNU
No. 20 at TulsaL 40–80 14–4
(3–2)
 10  Achiuwa  6  Achiuwa  3  Jeffries Reynolds Center (4,668)
Tulsa, OK
January 25, 2020
3:00 pm, CBSSN
No. 20 SMUL 70–74 14–5
(3–3)
 18  Jeffries  9  Achiuwa  5  Tied FedEx Forum (17,090)
Memphis, TN
January 29, 2020
6:00 pm, ESPNU
at UCFW 59–57 15–5
(4–3)
 20  Thomas  13  Achiuwa  4  Quinones Addition Financial Arena (5,774)
Orlando, FL
February 1, 2020
12:00 pm, CBS
UConnW 70–63 16–5
(5–3)
 16  Achiuwa  8  Achiuwa  3  Ellis FedEx Forum (16,240)
Memphis, TN
February 5, 2020
7:00 pm, CBSSN
TempleW 79–65 17–5
(6–3)
 21  Quinones  10  Achiuwa  4  Tied FedEx Forum (15,685)
Memphis, TN
February 8, 2020
3:00 pm, CBSSN
South FloridaL 73–75 17–6
(6–4)
 17  Harris  5  Thomas  5  Lomax FedEx Forum (17,314)
Memphis, TN
February 13, 2020
6:00 pm, ESPN
at Cincinnati
Rivalry
L 86–92 17–7
(6–5)
 22  Achiuwa  17  Achiuwa  4  Tied Fifth Third Arena (12,239)
Cincinnati, OH
February 16, 2020
2:00 pm, ESPN
at UConnL 61–64 17–8
(6–6)
 16  Tied  13  Achiuwa  4  Lomax XL Center (15,564)
Hartford, CT
February 19, 2020
6:00 pm, CBSSN
East CarolinaW 77–73 18–8
(7–6)
 24  Achiuwa  12  Achiuwa  4  Tied FedEx Forum (16,038)
Memphis, TN
February 22, 2020
1:00 pm, ESPN2
No. 22 HoustonW 60–59 19–8
(8–6)
 12  Dandridge  6  Tied  3  Lomax FedEx Forum (17,735)
Memphis, TN
February 25, 2020
8:00 pm, CBSSN
at SMUL 53–58 19–9
(8–7)
 17  Achiuwa  7  Achiuwa  6  Baugh Moody Coliseum (5,211)
Dallas, TX
February 29, 2020
7:00 pm, CBSSN
at TulaneW 74–67 OT20–9
(9–7)
 22  Achiuwa  22  Achiuwa  7  Lomax Devlin Fieldhouse (3,023)
New Orleans, LA
March 5, 2020
8:00 pm, ESPN/ESPN2
Wichita StateW 68–60 21–9
(10–7)
 19  Harris  16  Achiuwa  4  Tied FedEx Forum (17,021)
Memphis, TN
March 8, 2020
11:00 am, CBS
at No. 21 HoustonL 57–64 21–10
(10–8)
 25  Achiuwa  15  Achiuwa  5  Lomax Fertitta Center (7,129)
Houston, TX
AAC tournament
March 12, 2020
9:00 pm, ESPNU
(6) vs. (11) East Carolina
First Round
Cancelled[1]Dickies Arena 
Fort Worth, TX
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Central Time.
1.^ Cancelled due to the Coronavirus Pandemic

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes т = Tied with team above or below
Week
PollPre12345678910111213141516171819Final
AP1413161615131199212220RVNot released
Coaches151520201817-T131011222220RV

*AP does not release post-NCAA Tournament rankings

Awards and honors

American Athletic Conference honors

All-AAC Awards

All-AAC First Team

  • Precious Achiuwa

All Freshman Team

  • Precious Achiuwa
  • Lester Quiñones

Player of the Week

  • Week 3: Precious Achiuwa

Rookie of the Week

  • Week 1: James Wiseman
  • Week 2: Lester Quiñones
  • Week 4: Boogie Ellis
  • Week 7: Precious Achiuwa
  • Week 9: Precious Achiuwa
  • Week 10: Precious Achiuwa
  • Week 11: D. J. Jefferies
  • Week 13: Precious Achiuwa
  • Week 15: Precious Achiuwa
  • Week 18: Precious Achiuwa

Source[15][16][17]

References