With the release of Memphis’ conference schedule last week, the Tigers know who, when, and where they will play their games this upcoming season. The schedule presents an interesting dichotomy of one of the nation’s most rigid non-conference schedules followed by a relatively easy conference slate.
This especially holds true after the departure of Houston, Cincinnati, and UCF to the Big 12 in July. But while it makes for a weaker AAC schedule for Memphis, some opponents are still worthy of looking out for. Pair this with an arduous non-conference, and what remains is a series of exciting matchups for the Tigers in the 2023-24 college basketball season.
Here are the top five most intriguing matchups Memphis fans should look out for.
1) @ Texas A&M
A road matchup against Texas A&M? That’s a tough early-season test if I’ve ever seen one. The Tigers will travel to College Station on December 10th to face the Aggies in what should be the most challenging test of the season for Memphis.
Texas A&M possesses one of the best backcourts in the nation, with star guard Wade Taylor IV leading the charge. He’s paired with a great complementary piece in Tyrece Radford.
Head Coach Buzz Williams leads one of the premier teams in the SEC. The Aggies have a squad that brings a significant amount of toughness on both ends of the court. They have considerable depth in all facets, with Julius Marble and Henry Coleman III manning a solid frontcourt. Sophomore Solomon Washington is a defensive stud awaiting a breakout in more minutes this upcoming season.
In the season’s early stages, a lot will be revealed from this matchup against Texas A&M. It’s one of the more difficult teams that Memphis will face and one of the harshest road environments the Tigers will enter. Their ability to match the Aggies’ physicality will be critical.
2) Vs. Florida Atlantic
The arrival of Florida Atlantic to the AAC is expected to jumpstart a newfound rivalry with Memphis this season. After an NCAA Tournament loss to the Owls in March, there have been heated debates over who will be the best team in the conference this upcoming season.
Despite being a newcomer to the conference, FAU has an argument. The Owls went on an impressive run in 2023, making it to the Final Four and beating the Tigers along the way. They’ll return all five starters from last season as one of the only teams in the country to not lose a player to the transfer portal.
The Owls have an elite duo on the perimeter with tournament stars Johnell Davis and Alijah Martin. Vladislav Goldin is a good frontcourt piece, while Giancarlo Rosado is one of the nation’s better backup big men. Nicholas Boyd, Bryan Greenlee, and others provide depth to an already strong backcourt for the Owls.
The first of two matchups between FAU and Memphis will likely establish the AAC hierarchy. It’ll be a proving ground for the Tigers, seeking revenge after last season. A victory over a preseason top-10 team in FAU will go a long way toward their hopes of winning the AAC regular season and solidifying themselves as the team they want to be in 2023.
3) Vs. Virginia
Virginia has a roster with plenty of new faces. While the Cavaliers are less formidable than in seasons past, Tony Bennett’s team will still be good in 2023. The matchup of Memphis against Virginia will be one of the best in the FedEx Forum this upcoming season.
The Cavaliers possess an intriguing blend of returners and portal acquisitions. It’s a group that could pose a challenge for the Tigers, even on their home court. Senior guard and reigning ACC DPOY Reece Beekman will lead the charge for Bennett’s group. The defensive stud is always in the passing lanes and provides some playmaking juice on offense, too. Expect him to take a leap on that end this season. Andrew Rohde is one of my favorite transfer portal adds from this off-season. The St. Thomas transfer can function as a 6’6 point guard. Rohde has NBA upside and can do it all on the offensive end. Like FAU, the backcourt is deep, with Georgetown transfer Dante Harris adding some playmaking juice and sophomore Isaac McKneely operating as a sniper from the perimeter.
In the frontcourt, Ryan Dunn is a defensive standout with elite athleticism. Expect a breakout from him in 2023. Merrimack transfer Jordan Minor rounds out the starting group and should fit in seamlessly for the Cavaliers after the departure of Jayden Gardner.
Just because this game is at home for Memphis doesn’t mean fans should overlook Virginia. Tony Bennett and the Cavaliers bring elite pedigree to the FedEx Forum with players who have played plenty of big-time games in the ACC.
4) @ Ole Miss
For Ole Miss, a lot will weigh on the waiver decisions of transfers Brandon Murray and Moussa Cissé. The pairing can elevate the Rebels to new heights in 2023. Even without them, however, the Ole Miss roster still has plenty of talent, and it’s led by one of the better coaches in college basketball, Chris Beard.
Matthew Murrell is the star of this group. The senior guard and Memphis native is a talented perimeter scorer and one of the best players in the SEC. The Tigers will have a tough task containing him in this matchup.
There’s plenty of talent around him, too. Transfer Austin Nunez is an intriguing young piece who can score in bunches, and Auburn transfer Allen Flanigan has plenty of SEC experience. He’ll likely be a double-digit scorer for the Rebels. Senior forward Jaemyn Brakefield is a versatile player in the frontcourt, while 7’5 Western Kentucky transfer Jamarion Sharp is one of the best shot-blockers in the sport. Guards TJ Caldwell and Jaylen Murray add further depth to the backcourt.
Memphis will be heading into Oxford to face yet another challenging SEC opponent. How difficult the matchup is will depend on what the NCAA decides with the waivers of Murray and Cissé.
5) Vs. Michigan (Bahamas)
The opening matchup of the Battle 4 Atlantis pits Memphis against the Michigan Wolverines of the Big Ten. This game will be a proving ground for the Tigers in their first difficult contest of the young season.
With the departure of Hunter Dickinson to Kansas, Michigan is a program that will take a new identity under Juwan Howard in 2023. The Wolverines will be led by Tennessee transfer Olivier Nkamhoua. He’s a talented forward who projects to be an All-Big Ten caliber player. What’s interesting about this team is their size. The Wolverines will roll out a huge frontcourt with 6’10 Tray Jackson at the three, the 6’9 Nkahmoua at the four, and 6’10 Tarris Reed Jr. at the five. At 6’10, Detroit native and Seton Hall transfer Tray Jackson possesses a unique blend of size, mobility, and skill that allows him to effectively play the small forward position. Meanwhile, at center, Tarris Reed Jr. is a physical presence on both ends who should do well in a more prominent role this season.
In the backcourt, sophomore Dug McDaniel is as steady as they come and should be prepared for higher usage. Former McDonald’s All-American Nimari Burnett rounds out the starting group and provides a solid scoring punch with good perimeter defense. The depth is solid, too, with guards Jaelin Llewellyn and George Washington III and forwards Jace Howard, Will Tschetter, and Youssef Khayat.
This season, Michigan will rely on its defense to slow opponents, get out, and make plays in transition. The Wolverines don’t have the scoring pop they’ve had in years past. However, the personnel defensively could make up for that. Regardless, Michigan should be a good early-season test for the Wolverines as they open things in the Bahamas.
