There’s a chance Sunday’s game between the Tigers and Bearcats will be the final time the historic rivals face each other as members of the same conference.

The redshirt freshman sank a 3-pointer that gave the Tigers a five-point lead late in their 83-78 win over Wichita State.

Gene Bartow’s Tigers showcased a model of Black achievement and interracial harmony. If they make another NCAA Tournament run, we will again hear about how Memphians unite around basketball.

The Memphis Tigers are battered, weary — and now they’re missing a key player who broke his hand punching a door. So how do they keep winning games? By any means necessary. On a Memphis team that richly deserves a trip to the NCAAs. 

The University of Memphis Tigers defeated the Wichita State Shockers at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas.

Memphis got bucket after bucket out of the gate but didn’t finish off pesky Wichita State until the final few minutes.

Related stories:

Memphis’ Keonté Kennedy out rest of the regular season

Martin: No doubt that Penny Hardaway is the guy for Memphis

Box score: Memphis 83, Wichita State 78

Memphis’ leading scorer has been out with an ankle injury.

The Tigers’ third-leading scorer was injured in an off-court incident.

Overall, Hardaway — the favorite son of Memphis and program legend — is doing a solid job as the coach at Memphis.

Memphis, which is No. 40 in the NET rankings and No. 37 in KenPom, can’t afford to slip up to Wichita State if it hopes to stay on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble.

Memphis moved further to the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble after losing to Houston on the road.

The Memphis Tigers put up a gallant fight in losing to the Houston Cougars Sunday. The good news? The Cougars should be No. 1 in the country when they come to FedExForum for the rematch on March 5. And a healthy Kendric Davis should be waiting for them.

The NCAA men’s basketball box score for the Sunday, Feb. 19, game between the Memphis Tigers and Houston Cougars played in Houston.

Without star point guard Kendric Davis, the Tigers battled the Cougars and had an opportunity to get within one score late in the contest.

Related: 

Box score: Houston 72, Memphis 64

Lomax and Dandridge expected to return from injury versus Houston, according to source

Memphis veterans Alex Lomax and Malcolm Dandridge are expected to make their returns from injury on Sunday versus No. 2 Houston.

Memphis was carrying some momentum and confidence into Sunday’s matchup with No. 2 Houston after winning seven of its past eight games. Then, Kendric Davis got hurt.

The former Houston High star helps the University of Memphis beat Tulsa on the road, for a fourth straight win.

Go ahead, take the loss, and wait for brighter days. Most importantly: Show Houston nothing in the process.

The Memphis Tigers lost Kendric Davis to injury, lost 24 turnovers and somehow still managed to beat Central Florida Thursday night. It may not have been the most important win in Memphis history. But it was unlike any that have come before. 

Davis injured his right ankle with 4:25 left in the first half of Memphis’ 64-63 win over UCF at FedExForum on Thursday.

Without injured Kendric Davis, the Tigers’ lead evaporated. With seven seconds left, Damaria Franklin played hero. The 6-foot-3 guard created a steal and then made the fastbreak layup that proved to be the difference.

Related stories:

Penny Hardaway provides Kendric Davis update: ‘He’s a tough kid’

Box score: Memphis 64, UCF 63

Kendric Davis helped off court after breaking the AAC's all-time scoring record

NCAA men’s basketball box score for the Thursday, Feb. 16 game between the Memphis Tigers and UCF Knights from FedExForum in Memphis.

Davis became the AAC’s all-time scoring leader Thursday night, but left game with an injury shortly after.

Memphis’ face-off with UCF offers the Tigers a chance to grab a sixth Quadrant 2 victory.

Memphis has taken its lumps without Alex Lomax and Malcolm Dandridge — losing to Tulane twice and UCF once in games in which either one or both weren’t available — but it’s since found a way to make up for their absence.