Buckley: When it’s late, the Tigers aren’t great. Seriously, what gives?
Memphis Tigers guard Curtis Givens III (5) handles the ball against the UNLV Rebels during the first half at FedExForum on Nov. 16, 2025. (Wes Hale/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Tim Buckley
Tim is a veteran sportswriter who graduated from CBHS in Memphis and the University of Missouri. He previously covered LSU sports in Baton Rouge, and the University of Louisiana football and basketball for The Daily Advertiser/USA TODAY Network in Lafayette, the NBA’s Utah Jazz for the Deseret News in Salt Lake City, the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning for the St. Petersburg Times in Florida, and West Texas State basketball for the Amarillo Globe News in Texas.
STARKVILLE, Miss. — For five straight games, an injured Curtis Givens III sat back and watched.
He analyzed. Took mental notes. Thought about what needed to be done differently.
On Saturday in Starkville — where the 4-7 Tigers experienced yet another late-game collapse, this one leading to a 71-66 loss to Mississippi State at Humphrey Coliseum that extended Memphis’ current losing streak to three straight — Givens did his part, trying his darndest to keep coach Penny Hardaway’s team from letting another one slip away.
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