Owls, Tigers Set for AAC Rematch in Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Interstat) — The Florida Atlantic Owls look to complete a regular-season sweep and solidify their standing in the American Athletic Conference when they visit the Memphis Tigers on Thursday afternoon at FedExForum.

The matchup is a quick turnaround from their Jan. 11 meeting in Boca Raton, where the Owls (14-7, 5-3 AAC) used a balanced attack to defeat the Tigers 89-78. Florida Atlantic guard Devin Vanterpool recorded a triple-double in that victory with 12 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.

Vanterpool enters this rematch as the Owls’ hottest player. He is averaging 18.1 points over his last eight games, including a 22-point performance in a loss at South Florida last Sunday. His versatility will be central to FAU’s efforts to bounce back from that defeat.

Memphis (9-10, 3-5), meanwhile, seeks to halt a two-game skid and improve its sub-.500 record. The Tigers are coming off a 74-59 road loss at Wichita State where they struggled offensively. Forward Simon Majok provided a brief spark off the bench in that game, scoring 10 points in 16 minutes.

The Tigers’ season has been marked by inconsistency, but they have shown resilience at home, including a 95-69 rout of Texas-San Antonio on Jan. 18. They will need a stronger defensive effort against an FAU team that averages 81.2 points per game.

Florida Atlantic holds a clear advantage in the conference standings, but Memphis will have the benefit of a home crowd in what amounts to a crucial game for its postseason aspirations. A Tigers victory would provide a significant boost, while the Owls aim to stay in the hunt for a top AAC tournament seed.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2.