Tigers Battle No. 1 Purdue in Baha Mar Championship Opener

Your Memphis Tigers are heading to the Bahamas this week for a challenging multi-team event, kicking off Thursday with a formidable opponent: the top-ranked Purdue Boilermakers. Coming off a two-game skid, Coach Penny Hardaway’s squad has a prime opportunity to make a major statement by snapping their losing streak against the undefeated Boilermakers.

Game Day Details: How to Watch Your Tigers

The Baha Mar Championship brings exciting college basketball to Nassau, Bahamas. Here’s how Memphis fans can tune in for Thursday’s big game.

What: Baha Mar Championship (multi-team event)
Date: Thursday, Nov. 20
Tipoff time: 6 p.m. ET
Location: Baha Mar Resort Ballroom in Nassau, Bahamas (2,000 capacity)
TV: CBS Sports Network
App: Paramount
TV Announcers: Chris Sylvester (play-by-play), Kyle Macy (analyst), Ana Bellinghausen (reporter).
Radio: Tune into your local Memphis radio listings or check Purdue Global Radio Network for streaming options.
Radio Announcers: Rob Blackman (play-by-play), Bobby Riddell (analyst), Wes Scott (producer).
Live Stats: Purdue.StatBroadcast.com
Series History: Memphis leads the all-time series vs. Purdue 5-1
Last Meeting: Memphis defeated Purdue 90-70 on Dec. 30, 2005, in Memphis, Tenn.

Memphis Tigers: Looking for a Bounce Back

After opening the season 1-2, the Tigers are eager to turn things around. While they face a tough test against the nation’s best, this new-look roster, featuring 13 transfers and one recruit, has the talent to compete.

Rankings & Stats

Memphis is currently unranked in both the Associated Press and Coaches polls, with a KenPom ranking of No. 76. Team statistics show areas for improvement, particularly in shooting percentage and turnovers.

Key Tigers to Watch

• Sincere Parker, G: Averaging a team-high 11.3 points per game, Parker is a strong finisher in the paint and can also stretch the floor. His 52% field goal percentage is crucial for the Tigers’ offense.
• Dug McDaniel, G: The former Michigan guard is a well-rounded playmaker, leading the team with 5.7 assists per game. His defensive intensity, averaging 2.3 steals, will be vital in disrupting Purdue’s flow.
• Curtis Givens III, G: Givens offers scoring potential and defensive pressure, recording at least two steals in each of Memphis’s first three games. He put up 20 points against Ole Miss, showing his ability to score in bunches.
• Quante Berry, G: As Memphis’s most consistent three-point threat, Berry’s hot shooting could be a game-changer. He’s currently hitting 5-of-11 from downtown (45.5%).

The Head Coaches: Hardaway vs. Painter

Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway, Memphis

In his eighth season coaching his alma mater, NBA legend Penny Hardaway has led the Tigers to three NCAA Tournament appearances in the past four seasons, including an NIT championship. While this year’s entirely new roster presents a unique challenge, Hardaway’s ability to rebuild quickly will be tested in Nassau. His overall record at Memphis stands at an impressive 163-70.

Matt Painter, Purdue

Purdue’s Matt Painter is in his 21st season with the Boilermakers, boasting a 500-220 overall record. He recently won his 500th career game. Painter has led Purdue to consistent success, including a National Championship Game appearance in 2024 and multiple Big Ten titles, making him a formidable opponent for any team.

Matchup Preview: A Tough Test in the Bahamas

This Baha Mar Championship game pits an experienced, top-ranked Purdue team against a Memphis squad still working to build chemistry. Purdue has been dominant in multi-team events, winning their last four straight. They’re coming off big wins against No. 8 Alabama and Akron, showing cohesion since Trey Kaufman-Renn’s return.

Memphis, on the other hand, is still finding its rhythm with an entirely new roster. The Tigers rank 280th nationally in shooting and average 13.0 turnovers per game—numbers that will need to improve against a disciplined Purdue team. Purdue’s interior presence with Trey Kaufman-Renn and Oscar Cluff will be a major challenge for the Tigers, and if Memphis overcommits to defending the paint, Purdue’s capable shooters like Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith can punish them from beyond the arc.

The key for Memphis will be its ability to take care of the basketball and leverage its defensive pressure. The Tigers are known for their full-court press and forcing turnovers, averaging 9.7 steals per game. This intensity could disrupt Purdue’s offense and create transition opportunities, which will be essential for staying competitive in this high-stakes matchup.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What’s at stake for Memphis in the Baha Mar Championship?
  This tournament is a crucial early-season test for a new-look Memphis roster. A win against No. 1 Purdue would provide a massive confidence boost and signal that Coach Hardaway’s squad is quickly gelling, while also ending their current two-game losing streak.
• How does Memphis’s history against Purdue look?
  Historically, Memphis holds a 5-1 advantage over Purdue. However, the last meeting was in 2005, and this Purdue team is a completely different caliber as the nation’s top-ranked squad.
• What are the main strengths Memphis can lean on against Purdue?
  The Tigers’ defensive pressure and ability to create turnovers, led by players like Dug McDaniel and Curtis Givens III, will be vital. Sincere Parker’s scoring in the paint and Quante Berry’s three-point shooting could also provide much-needed offensive sparks.
• What challenges does Purdue present to the Tigers?
  Purdue is an undefeated, highly efficient team across the board, particularly in shooting, rebounding, and limiting turnovers. Their size in the post with Trey Kaufman-Renn and Oscar Cluff, combined with strong guard play from Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer, makes them a tough matchup.

Thursday’s game offers the Memphis Tigers a massive opportunity to prove themselves against the nation’s best. Rally behind Coach Hardaway and the team as they look to make some noise in the Bahamas!

Tigers Battle Top Purdue Baha Mar Opener