The Early Word: Tigers beat UConn, Ja is back and Uncle Lou’s is on the move
Good morning, Memphis. It’s Tuesday, Nov. 26, and the Memphis City Council will again consider a controversial request to gate off parts of Chickasaw Gardens.
The Memphis Tigers, fresh off a stunning win over two-time defending NCAA champs UConn at the Maui Invitational, will play Michigan State in the tournament tonight.
About that win: The Memphis Tigers pulled off the improbable yesterday afternoon with a 99-97 overtime victory over two-time NCAA defending champions UConn at the Maui Invitational. The so-far undefeated Tigers blew a 13-point lead with four minutes left, and as they headed into overtime, they’d lost two starters to fouls. So, needless to say, this one was a nail biter. But they managed the win, and afterward, Coach Penny Hardaway said it was the biggest of his career.
The Memphis Grizzlies have their lead singer back, so to speak. For the first time in awhile, Memphis Grizzlies star trio Ja Morant (in his first game back from a hip injury), Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane were together again on the court Monday night. And they dominated the Portland Trail Blazers, 123-98. That was due in large part to Morant’s 22 points and 11 assists in only 23 minutes of playing time. Morant brought out all of the favorite moves: dunks, an alley-oop, a behind-the-back pass — and all with his signature quickness that’s both impressive to watch and also a little nerve-wracking.
Uncle Lou’s Fried Chicken is moving into a former Wendy’s near Memphis International Airport, and that means the locally owned restaurant will have a dedicated parking lot and a drive-thru — though it will be a bit smaller. With the move comes an updated menu, but no worries “Sweet Spicy Love” fried chicken fans; that one is staying, but fried pickles and a few other items are goners. As a bonus, the former Wendy’s has one of those retro sunrooms that were once a staple of all the fast-food chain’s eateries, and Martin plans to put it to good use.
Plus, one officer in Tyre Nichols’ case will be tried separately, the election results are official and a cemetery on Central Avenue has lots of stories to tell.
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Bianca Phillips
Bianca Phillips is a Northeast Arkansas native and longtime Memphian who’s worked in local journalism and PR for more than 20 years. In her days as a reporter, she covered everything from local government and crime to LGBTQ issues and the arts. She’s the author of “Cookin Crunk: Eatin’ Vegan in the Dirty South,” a cookbook of vegan Southern recipes.
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