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.

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Box score: Memphis 81, SMU 62

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‘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.

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‘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.

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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.

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.

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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.