Calkins: Tigers’ youth on full display as freshmen fail to contribute in loss to No. 19 Houston Cougars.

HOUSTON — Mike Parks Jr. won’t be as rested as usual when the Memphis Tigers take on Houston Sunday evening. But he has the best excuse in the world. And his name is Zakari Daniel Parks, all 7 pounds and 8 ounces, who was born by C-section at 9:41 p.m. Saturday.

Kyvon Davenport scored 25 points Antwann Jones had a career-high 16 points as the Tigers held off Wichita State for an 85-74 victory in the American Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

After the Memphis Tigers had held off Wichita State 85-74 at FedExForum last Thursday to open American Athletic Conference play, attention turned to the road test awaiting at 5 p.m. Sunday in Houston against the No. 19 and undefeated Cougars (14-0, 1-0 AAC).

Memphis 85, Wichita State, 74

When Alex Lomax was named Mr. Basketball his sophomore and junior years of high school, everyone in Memphis loved him.

If Memphis and Wichita State have another gear, now would be a good time to find it. “Things are going to ramp up,” Tigers coach Penny Hardaway said Wednesday.

After a lackluster first half, Memphis put on an offensive display to coast to an easy 96-65 win over Florida A&M in the Tigers final game before conference play

Memphis 96, Florida A&M, 65

Once Penny Hardaway successfully recruited Alex Lomax (East) and Tyler Harris (Cordova) to Memphis, it was clear that there was going to be a squeeze at guard for minutes.

The Memphis Tigers easily handled Tennessee State, 99-41, Saturday to improve to 7-5 on the season.

Memphis 99, Tennessee State, 41

Tennessee State coach Brian "Penny" Collins grew up an Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway fan. In fact, that's how he got the nickname. Now, they face off Saturday at FedExForum.

If Memphis and Tennessee State foul at their usual rate Saturday, coach Penny Hardaway says fans may need a pillow.

Memphis (6-5) overcame a slow start on the defensive end of the floor to defeat Little Rock (5-7) 99-89 and get back over .500 in the record book.

This could have been embarrassing for Penny Hardaway and the Memphis program. It’s one thing to get into a public fracas with Tennessee coach Rick Barnes. It’s another thing to then go out and lose to a team like Little Rock. But with 3:52 left in the game, Little Rock up by two points, embarrassment seemed distinctly possible.

Four days earlier with No. 3 Tennessee in a sold-out building, adrenaline was no problem for Memphis.

Memphis 99, Little Rock, 89

Head coach Penny Hardaway had strong words for Tennessee coach Rick Barnes on Tuesday afternoon.

He had just scored a career-high 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against No. 3 Tennessee. So, I asked Memphis Tigers forward Kyvon Davenport, point-blank, if he had surprised himself a little.

It was during a timeout midway through the second half that Tiger nation seemed to cast its vote on the day. Fans were standing and cheering. Roaring, really.

Just 47 seconds remained in this brawl of a game, when an actual brawl seemed on the verge of breaking out. 

Forward Admiral Schofield had just scored 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds when he was struck with the urge to remind the capacity crowd at FedExForum who was on top.

Admiral Schofield popped his Tennessee jersey to the Memphis fans who had been screaming at him throughout the game.

Memphis couldn't overcome a slow start and fell to No. 3 Tennessee 102-92 in FedExForum.