Tigers NCAA hopes dealt crushing blow with home loss
University of Memphis forward Precious Achiuwa (55) scrambles for a loose ball under pressure from the Bulls' Laquincy Rideau (left) and Xavier Castaneda (right) during the Tigers' game on Feb. 8, 2020, against the University of South Florida at FedExForum in Memphis. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis coach Penny Hardaway watches the seconds play out near the end of the Tigers' game on Feb. 8, 2020, against USF at FedExForum in Memphis. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis forward Lance Thomas (15) steals the ball from the Bulls' David Collins (center) during the Tigers' game on Feb. 8, 2020, against the University of South Florida at FedExForum in Memphis. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis forward Precious Achiuwa (right) collides with the Bulls' Justin Brown during the Tigers' game on Feb. 8, 2020, against USF at FedExForum in Memphis. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis forward Lance Thomas (15) reacts after getting poked in the face by the Bulls' Michael Durr (4) during the Tigers' game on Feb. 8, 2020, against the University of South Florida at FedExForum in Memphis. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis guard Tyler Harris steals the ball from under the arm of the Bulls' Antun Maricevic (left) during the Tigers' game on Feb. 8, 2020, against the University of South Florida at FedExForum in Memphis. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis guard Boogie Ellis breaks away for a score during the Tigers' game on Feb. 8, 2020, against USF at FedExForum in Memphis. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Bulls forward Justin Brown pulls down a rebound under pressure by University of Memphis guard Boogie Ellis (5), Tyler Harris (center) and Lance Thomas (right) during the Tigers' game on Feb. 8, 2020, against USF at FedExForum in Memphis. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis guard Tyler Harris stretches to pull a loose ball inbound during the Tigers' game on Feb. 8, 2020, against USF at FedExForum in Memphis. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Bulls guard Laquincy Rideau shoots under pressure by University of Memphis guard Alex Lomax (2) and Lance Thomas (15) during the Tigers' game on Feb. 8, 2020, against USF at FedExForum in Memphis. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis guards Tyler Harris (left) and Boogie Ellis react to a foul call during the Tigers' game on Feb. 8, 2020, against USF at FedExForum in Memphis. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis guards Alex Lomax and Tyler Harris (1) put pressure on the Bulls' David Collins (0) during the Tigers' game on Feb. 8, 2020, against USF at FedExForum in Memphis. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis coach Penny Hardaway reacts to a turnover on the court during the Tigers' game on Feb. 8, 2020, against USF at FedExForum in Memphis. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis guard Lester Quinones finds an opening between the Bulls' Justin Brown (13) and Xavier Castaneda (right) during the Tigers' game on Feb. 8, 2020, against USF at FedExForum in Memphis. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Bulls guard Rashun Williams (5) and forward Antun Maricevic pull down a rebound under pressure by University of Memphis guard Lester Quinones during the Tigers' game on Feb. 8, 2020, against USF at FedExForum in Memphis. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis guard Lester Quinones shoots under pressure by the Bulls' Rashun Williams during the Tigers' game on Feb. 8, 2020, against USF at FedExForum in Memphis. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis tied the game at 68 with under two minutes to play, but the Tigers came up short Saturday against South Florida. The loss is a big blow to the team's NCAA Tournament resume.