Basketball Game Preview: University Tigers vs. Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering Phoenix

The University Tigers will head out to face off against the Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering Phoenix at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. University is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 53.2 points per game this season.

University is probably headed into the contest with a chip on their shoulder considering Booker T. Washington just ended the team's three-game winning streak on Tuesday. They took a 64-51 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Warriors. While the Tigers didn't get the win, they did start the game off strong, beating the Warriors 14-9 in the first quarter.

Despite the loss, University saw an underclassman step up: sophomore LaTrevius Gant posted 20 points in addition to six boards and three steals. Gant has been hot, having posted two or more steals the last seven times he's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Michael Serino, who earned seven points and seven steals.

Meanwhile, Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering came tearing into Wednesday's game with nine straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 29.1 points) and they left with even more momentum. They were the clear victor by a 67-43 margin over the Wildcats. The Phoenix have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won eight matchups by 24 points or more this season.

Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering's win was their eighth straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 11-1. They've dominated over that stretch too, winning by an average of 34.5 points. As for University, their defeat dropped their record down to 7-6.

University was dealt a bruising 73-24 loss at the hands of Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering in their previous matchup back in February of 2024. Can University avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.