Quick Facts
- Date: March 7, 2025
- Matchup: University of Memphis Men’s Basketball vs. South Florida
- Location: FedExForum, 191 Beale Street, Memphis, TN
- Final Score: Memphis 84, South Florida 68
- Attendance: 14,916
- Key Figures: Dain Dainja (20 pts), PJ Haggerty (20 pts), Tyrese Hunter (16 pts); USF’s Jayden Reid (20 pts)
- What Was at Stake: Outright American Athletic Conference (AAC) regular‑season title; Memphis’ first regular‑season conference championship since 2012–13
Main Story
In front of a near‑capacity crowd on Beale Street, Memphis closed the 2024–25 regular season by defeating South Florida 84–68 at FedExForum. After a 35–35 stalemate at halftime, the Tigers seized control with a decisive second‑half push, outscoring the Bulls 49–33. For the night, Dain Dainja and PJ Haggerty paced Memphis with 20 points apiece, while guard Tyrese Hunter added 16. USF’s Jayden Reid led the visitors with 20.
The result delivered what Memphis fans had long awaited: the outright AAC regular‑season championship and the league’s No. 1 seed. The victory capped a 26–5 (16–2 AAC) regular season and marked the program’s first regular‑season title since winning Conference USA in 2012–13. The atmosphere—pure Bluff City energy—reflected the moment’s significance for the 901 and for Memphis history.
Legacy
Clinching the regular‑season crown against the reigning AAC regular‑season champion South Florida underscored Memphis’ return to conference prominence and set the stage for postseason play. For a program interwoven with the city’s civic identity, winning on Beale Street reinforced how Tigers basketball continues to rally the community, from neighborhood watch parties to the FedExForum stands. The night added a fresh chapter to the Tigers’ storied legacy and to the broader tapestry of Memphis history, strengthening the bond between the team, the university, and the city they represent.
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