Memphis Tigers center Jalen Duren (2) reacts with forward DeAndre Williams (12) after a dunk. Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Memphis ends regular season with blowout of No. 14 Houston

By Adam Stites | Last updated 3/6/22

The Memphis Tigers look well-positioned to earn an NCAA Tournament berth after finishing the regular season with a 75-61 win against the No. 14 Houston Cougars on Sunday.

The win was the Tigers' 10th in their last 11 games with the team bouncing back from a 9-8 start to the season to finish 19-9 overall. A 13-5 record for Memphis in conference play means it'll have the second or third seed in the American Athletic Conference Tournament beginning Thursday.

Scoring came from everywhere on the Memphis roster Sunday with six players scoring at least eight points and no player scoring more than 15. The team collectively shot 48.1 percent from the field and 46.7 percent from beyond the three-point arc. Memphis led from start to finish and built its lead to as many as 23 points in the second half.

What a sequence, @Memphis_MBB pic.twitter.com/BUzgnPVA8b
— CBS Sports CBB (@CBSSportsCBB) March 6, 2022

In January, Memphis coach Penny Hardaway ripped into the media for criticisms of his coaching, despite the team's struggles with injuries. With leaders DeAndre Williams and Landers Nolley II now back in the lineup, the Tigers are rolling into postseason play as one of the hottest teams in the nation.

In the latest bracket projection from ESPN's Joe Lunardi, Memphis is projected to earn one of the last four spots in the NCAA Tournament, although the Sunday win against Houston will further strengthen the team's resume.

Despite the loss, Houston still won the American regular season title and will be the top seeded team in the conference tournament.

More must-reads: