Everyone’s happy the NBA preseason has shrunk. Not long ago, eight games was the norm. Now every team plays between four and six. The result is fewer games that don’t count, padded out by players who won’t be on regular season rosters; more air into an 82-game real season that needed extra rest time. Win-win, right?

The American Athletic Conference coaches predicted Monday that the Memphis Tigers will finish fourth this season.

When Memphis quarterback Brady White stepped to the UCF 40-yard line after a 10-second runoff late in Saturday’s game against UCF,  the redshirt junior – in a perfect scenario – would have spiked the ball with 15 seconds left on the clock.  

If Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway could look back at his career and tell himself one thing it would be to leave everything on the line against opponents.

There are different levels of NBA fandom. Some care about their team and some care about the entire league. There’s no right or wrong way to be a fan, but the following NBA-wide deep dive is for the latter kind.

They were in range, that’s what hurts. Or that’s one of a thousand things that hurt after a loss like that.

Memphis (4-3, 1-3 American Athletic Conference) fell to No. 10 UCF (6-0, 3-0) in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The 31-30 loss marks coach Mike Norvell’s first with a losing conference record.   

MUS linebacker Matthew Rhodes watched his offense march crisply down the field on the opening series against Briarcrest Friday and said 'oh my goodness, if we can play offense like this ...'

When women’s basketball head coach Melissa McFerrin signed her original contract with the University of Memphis in 2008, she immediately wanted to make changes, particularly to the Elma Roane Fieldhouse.  

Orlando Magic guard D.J. Augustin was cruising toward the basket for a right-handed layup. That’s when from the left corner 6-foot-11 Jaren Jackson Jr. flew to the other side of the rim and blocked Augustin’s shot.

By the end of the first quarter, Memphis running back Darrell Henderson had rushed 12 times for 115 yards and a touchdown. Whatever the team’s fate Saturday against No. 10 UCF, there was not going to be any chance that second-guessers could point to the nation’s leading rusher not getting the ball enough.

The Tigers blew a 13-point halftime lead to No. 10 UCF at home. The Knights shut Memphis out in the second half and avoided an upset in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.

Memphis (4-2, 1-2 American Athletic Conference) enters Saturday’s matchup against No. 10 UCF (5-0, 2-0) looking to prove the Knights aren’t the only ones in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium with a high-powered offense.  

Finishing up the final lap of the preseason, the Memphis Grizzlies showed more of a regular-season rotation early. The Houston Rockets showed midseason form on their 3-point shooting. The Rockets unloaded their 3-point arsenal, all the way down to a Chris Paul 30-footer in the first half, building a 27-point lead en route to a 121-103 victory over the Grizzlies on Friday night in the preseason finale for both teams.

Lausanne has continued its winning ways, leaving the Lynx at the top of The Daily Memphian Power 12 standings for another week. Meanwhile, a successful season thus far has moved Kirby into the state rankings for the first time in a long time and now an appearance in the Power 12.

In 2017, UCF had the most prolific offense in the land – leading the nation with 48.2 points per game. After that undefeated season, head coach Scott Frost was off to Nebraska. Josh Heupel, who had been offensive coordinator for the high-flying Missouri attack the previous two seasons, replaced Frost.

You’ve got questions, I’ve got answers, about Memphis vs. UCF.

Here are this week's high school football statistical leaders. For omissions and corrections, please e-mail jvarlas@dailymemphian.com.

Here is the area high school football schedule for Friday night of Week 9. All games are at 7 p.m. unless noted. (Two games were played earlier this week on Wednesday. There were no games scheduled Thursday)

The UCF  Knights might have become America’s latest college football darlings (see State, Boise, and the Jan. 1, 2007 overtime victory against Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.)

Memphis forward Raynere Thornton took a pass at the 3-point line of the Laurie-Walton Family Basketball Center practice floor. A dribble later Thornton moved the ball to the opposite corner where guard David Wingett was open for a three.

When Memphis kicker Riley Patterson stepped into the team bus after the Tigers 62-55 loss to UCF in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game, he wasn’t sure what to expect.   

Here is this week's Daily Memphian high school honor roll, saluting the top performers in each of the fall sports.

Just because 10th-ranked UCF is headed to town this weekend has not caused Memphis to change its focus from the normal, daily routine. Preparing for the Knights (5-0, 2-0 American Athletic Conference) involves learning from past mistakes and following a process three years in the making.

Carl Coleman has had his fair share of success at Manassas, taking the Tigers to five playoff appearances which includes a a trip to the Class 2A quarterfinals in 2015 – the school’s deepest run ever.