What helps Memphis basketball's Kendric Davis face SMU for first time since transfer
Kendric Davis knew it right off the top of his head.
“We were just talking about that in the locker room,” Memphis basketball’s star guard said Wednesday.
The last time the Tigers lost at FedExForum was Jan. 20, 2022, when SMU won 70-62, largely thanks to Davis. The reigning AAC Player of the Year scored 20 points, sending Memphis to its third straight loss, which coach Penny Hardaway said he “vaguely” remembers. The Tigers (15-5, 5-2 AAC) are 15-0 at home since that game, the fourth-longest active streak in the country.
But the Mustangs (7-13, 2-5) are due up Thursday (6 p.m., ESPN2) and that afternoon locker room conversation with his new teammates got Davis thinking about the success he had at FedExForum, both as a member of the opposing team and now, as the leader of the home squad.
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“I done had success here over the years,” he said. “I think I won twice here (before transferring to Memphis before this season). The year we lost, (DeAndre Williams) actually beat us. He hit a couple threes at the end of the game to win it.”
Davis, who leads the league in scoring (21.1 ppg) and assists (5.8 apg), has opted to focus on things like that rather than what it will be like facing the team he spent three seasons with for the first time since leaving it. A lot has changed at SMU since Davis’ departure, which helps, he said. Tim Jankovich is no longer the coach (Rob Lanier is) and many of his former teammates aren’t there anymore either. But there are a few who remain, including leading scorer Zhuric Phelps and Zach Nutall.
“I haven’t talked to none of ‘em yet, just because, you know, I’m about business,” said Davis. “Ain’t no friends right now. But that’s like family over there. I brought Zach there. I took Zhuric under my wing last year. It’s gonna be fun but, right now, I’m focused on how we can get the win.”
So, too, is Hardaway, who is especially proud of the Tigers’ long home winning streak.
“Every home loss hurts 10 times more (than a road loss),” he said. “To have Kendric on our side now is a much better feeling playing against SMU. I respect all those kids, but Kendric being our reigning MVP of our league, it’s just, for me, my mindset is always, ‘Protect home.’ “
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Kendric Davis: Memphis basketball transfer on first game vs SMU
