After closing the regular season with seven straight wins, Coach Katrina Merriweather’s Tigers are three victories away from their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1998.

It was a magnificent day for Memphis basketball. Right up until Houston hit the winning shot. On a day when Tiger basketball conjured that magical feeling once again. 

A potential re-match with Houston in next Sunday’s AAC Championship is on Kendric Davis’ mind.

The University of Memphis Tigers lost to the University of Houston Cougars, 67-65, on March 5.

Despite a valiant effort, the Tigers came up just short of upset victory.

Related:

Box score: Houston 67, Memphis 65

Kendric Davis, Tigers ready to face Cougars again after latest loss

Surviving members of Memphis State’s 1972-73 basketball team that reached the NCAA Tournament championship game are being honored when the Tigers face No. 1 Houston on Sunday, March 5, at FedExForum.

The Memphis guard’s college career has at times been turbulent. He decided to stay for a fifth season anyway. Now, starting with Senior Day on Sunday, it’s winding down.

Tigers fans have admired the grit that’s allowed Kendric Davis to fight through a series of painful ankle injuries — but that’s nothing compared to the larger battle he’s had to fight to get where he is now.

Related stories:

What to look for in Memphis’ showdown against No. 1 Houston

Memphis game against No. 1 Houston sold out

The Tigers will face the Cougars at 11 a.m. Sunday at FedExForum.

Fifty years ago, the Memphis State assistant coach was both a tactician and a friend for an NCAA Final Four team.

When the Cougars come to town Sunday, March 5, it will be just the second time in program history Memphis hosts the top-ranked team in the country — and the first time at FedExForum.

The best thing about Sunday’s epic matchup between the Memphis Tigers and No. 1 Houston? It was earned. 

Davis was jeered throughout the contest Thursday in his first game back at SMU since transferring to Memphis last offseason.

Former Mustang Kendric Davis led the Memphis Tigers to an 81-62 win over SMU Thursday night in University City, Texas. The victory clinched the No. 2 seed for the Tigers for next week’s AAC Tournament in Fort Worth, Texas.

Related stories:

Kendric Davis on reception during return to SMU: ‘It’s supposed to be love'

Box score: Memphis 81, SMU 62

Martin: How safe is Memphis in the tournament field? We asked a few of the experts

‘A mixed bag of emotions': Kendric Davis returns to SMU for the first time as a Tiger

The University of Memphis Tigers played the Southern Methodist University Mustangs at Moody Coliseum in University Park, Texas, on Thursday, March 2, 2023.

The Daily Memphian polled three bracket experts to get their thoughts on how much room the Tigers have with two games remaining in the regular season.

When Memphis takes on SMU on Thursday night, it’ll be Kendric Davis’ first time back inside Moody Coliseum since joining the Tigers last offseason.

Jamirah Shutes led the Tigers with 14 points, while Madison Griggs added 13. Memphis will open AAC Tournament play on Tuesday in Fort Worth, Texas.

Memphis will hope to use Thursday’s game against SMU to build momentum heading into this weekend’s matchup with top-ranked Houston.

Related story: 

‘A mixed bag of emotions': Kendric Davis returns to SMU for the first time as a Tiger

“The best thing about that is now I’m not just helping myself. I’m able to give back and help my mom a little more. Able to help my dad,” University of Memphis Tiger Alex Lomax said during a panel about name, image and likeness opportunities. 

Wiseman should see consistent playing time with the rebuilding Detroit Pistons.

Penny Hardaway texted Kendric Davis prior to Sunday’s game. After the win over Cincinnati, Davis and the Tigers are one step closer to the subject of that text.

Sunday’s win marks the first 18-win season for the Tigers since the 2015-16 season. Also, Memphis has 10 road wins for the first time since 1985.

When Memphis pulled out a close win over Cincinnati at FedExForum on Sunday, it marked another step toward securing what Kendric Davis has wanted all along: a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Related story:

Box score: Memphis 76, Cincinnati 73

NCAA men’s basketball box score for the Sunday, Feb. 26, game between the Memphis Tigers and Cincinnati Bearcats played at FedExForum in Memphis.