Jackson State @ Memphis preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 30, 2016 ) Jackson State 69, Memphis 84

The James Wiseman Era is over after three games for Memphis and the 13th-ranked Tigers must move forward with the talented young group they still have when Jackson State pays a visit for a non-conference game Saturday. Wiseman, a 7-1 center rated as one of the top prospects for next June’s NBA draft, was slated to return from an NCAA suspension next month before announcing Thursday he would leave school.

“We wish nothing but the best for James in his future endeavors as he follows his dreams,” Memphis coach Penny Hardway said in a statement. “He will truly be missed.” The Tigers, who have also been without standout freshman guard Lester Quinones (hand) for four games, showed they have the depth to be a factor against top teams when they held state rival Tennessee to 25 percent shooting in a thrilling 51-47 road victory on Saturday. “We came in with a little chip on our shoulder to get some revenge,” Memphis freshman forward D.J. Jeffries told reporters after scoring 11 in the win. “We did that and I couldn’t be more happy with the guys. We grew up today.” Jackson State comes to town after earning its first victory this season against a Division I team as junior Tristan Jarrett poured in 31 points in a 73-63 triumph at Portland on Thursday.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, No TV

ABOUT JACKSON STATE (3-8): Jarrett, a 6-4 guard from Brownsville, Tenn., also had a season-high 38 points in the 113-67 victory over Southeastern Baptist College and averages a team-high 20 - connecting on a team-best 27 from 3-point range. Jayveous McKinnis adds 11.4 points per game on 67.9 percent shooting from the field and leads the team in rebounding (8.8) while senior guard Roland Griffin has scored 31 total in his first two games this season. Junior guard Jonas James adds 7.5 points and a team-high 3.5 assists for the Tigers, who average 68.8 points per game and are allowing 49.8 percent shooting from the field overall.

ABOUT MEMPHIS (9-1): Quinones, who averaged 10.3 points before the injury, could return soon and add to a backcourt that includes sophomores Alex Lomax (team-high 4.4 assists) and Tyler Harris (team-most 21 3-pointers) along with freshmen Damion Baugh (10 points versus Tennessee) and Boogie Ellis (9.0 points). Freshman forward and leading scorer Precious Achiuwa (13.3 points, 9.9 rebounds) didn’t have one of his best scoring games Saturday (eight), but hauled in double-figure boards for the sixth straight contest with 13. “We need that,” Hardway said on his weekly radio show. “. … Every one of those rebounds was needed at the time he got them.”

TIP-INS

1. Jeffries averages 11.9 points while shooting 53.3 percent from the field and has scored in double figures eight of the last nine games.

2. Memphis leads the all-time series with the Tigers 16-1, including an 84-69 victory in the last meeting three seasons ago.

3. Ellis is just 2-for-16 from the field for a total of nine points the last two after averaging 10.1 in his first eight games.

PREDICTION: Memphis 84, Jackson State 62