Defending champion Aidan Bowers wants to control “the whole match, not giving them any room to breathe” as the Division 2 state tournament gets underway Friday in Nashville.

“I told his dad he was going to be the best player in the state because of his I.Q., but I didn’t know he was going to be one of the best players in the world,” said Bryan Brown. 

The Tigers are becoming a mentally tough team sharing the ball at a high level.

So what if the ESPN crew couldn’t actually pronounce the names of Memphis players Tuesday night? If the Tigers keep playing like this, they’ll be headed to (say it with me, ESPN!) the NCAA Tournament.

Feb. 15, 2022: The Memphis Grizzlies defeat the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.

With Ja Morant sidelined by his ankle, Jones stepped in and scored a career-high 27 points as Memphis won its sixth straight. 

Feb. 15, 2022: The Memphis Tigers defeat the Cincinnati Bearcats at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati. 

Despite foul trouble, the Tigers were steady in defeating AAC rival Cincinnati.

Related story: What we learned about the Tigers after Game 23

Ja Morant will miss Tuesday’s game with ankle soreness after stepping on a camera operator Saturday in Charlotte. 

Tigers guard Earl Timberlake was ruled out with a shoulder injury.

Drew Hill and Chris Herrington discuss the best and worst parts of All-Star weekend. 

Club will play twice on March 1, taking on CBU and the University of Memphis.

The Tigers have won five in a row; the Bearcats just lost to an 8-15 Tulsa team.

AAC commissioner Mike Aresco said there are two major hurdles, including the branding of the Power Five vs. the Group of Five.

For the first time in franchise history, the Memphis Grizzlies have 40 wins before the All-Star break. And they aren’t finished yet. 

Standouts from CBHS, Douglass, East, ECS and MUS up are for consideration this week. Voting ends at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 17.

Standouts from Briarcrest, Hernando, Houston, Tipton-Rosemark and White Station are up for consideration this week. Voting ends at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 17.

In the past five games, the University of Memphis appears to have rediscovered what made it a defensive force last season.

Amid teams in turmoil with ill-fitting personalities, the Grizzlies have been a refreshing example of fun.

Mustangs defeat Germantown without leading scorer, while Spartans and Lions have no trouble in their games. And, a roundup of all of Friday’s and Saturday’s prep sports action.

Memphis’ 35-point lead dwindled to four, but some clutch baskets by Bane, Jones and Morant secured the win.

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Box score: Grizzlies 125, Hornets 118

Feb. 12, 2022: The Grizzlies defeat the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center in Charlotte.