The 2024-2025 AAC Champions, the Memphis Tigers, would jumpstart their March Madness run with a quarterfinal matchup with the Shockers of Wichita State. The Tigers had an entire week off between games from the last time out against USF, so it was a challenge to overcome having a game against a team fresh off tournament play on Thursday. The Shockers jumped out to an early slight lead over the Memphis Tigers.

Wichita State came out and punched the Tigers in the mouth as they jumped out to an early lead over Memphis in the first half, but as the time ticked off the clock in the first half, so did the Shocker’s lead, as Memphis tied it at 39.

Memphis opened the second half by taking a one-point 44-43 lead over the Shockers at the under-16 media timeout. Memphis opened the lead up a bit before Wichita State cut it back to 58-53 at the under-12 media timeout. At the under-8 media timeout of the second half, Memphis had pushed the lead to eight, with the Tigers holding on to a 69-61 lead over the Shockers. Wichita State refused to go away as the final media timeout of the second half rolled around; it was Memphis holding on to a 74-70 lead over the Shockers. Memphis would magically hold on to an 83-80 victory over Wichita State to advance to the semifinals, where they await the winner of Tulane and FAU on Saturday.

PJ Haggerty led the Tigers in scoring 42 points, tying the all-time AAC Tournament scoring record set by Russ Smith for Louisville in 2014 in a game against Houston. Haggerty carried Memphis to victory on Friday, putting the Tigers on his back.

It wasn’t the best of their efforts for the Tigers, but Memphis survived and continues the American Athletic Conference Tournament journey as they look to add to the trophy case for the 2024-2025 season. Memphis learned a lot today about bending but not breaking, a valuable lesson before the NCAA Tournament starts next week. At this point in the season, guarantees mean nothing; it’s winning or go-home time, and the Tigers found a way to keep the AAC Tournament dance going with that win over a pesky Wichita State team.

Memphis will await the winner of Tulane and FAU on Saturday with a spot in the AAC Tournament Championship on the line.