In all likelihood, the four games Memphis plays over the next 11 days will determine the team’s chances of receiving an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. (Even if they win all four, a bid is no given. But lose two of these contests, and the chances are nil.)
The Tigers are currently ranked 89th in the RPI. (Their strength-of-schedule ranking: 146.) There are only three Conference USA teams ranked ahead of Memphis. The Tigers face Marshall (65) tomorrow night in Huntington, then host UAB (25) on February 3rd. Then on February 6th, the Tigers host their last non-conference opponent of the regular season, 23rd-ranked Gonzaga. The only break in this four-game stretch is the game at SMU this Saturday.
Tulsa is also ranked ahead of the Tigers (77). Memphis will face the Golden Hurricane on February 13th in Tulsa and March 6th at FedExForum.
