If you’re a fan of college hoops in the Mid-South, you know the vibe whenever the schedule drops. There’s something visceral about a matchup where both teams share the same mascot. The "Battle of the Tigers" usually feels like a fight for regional supremacy, even if they aren't in the same conference. Honestly, the Missouri Tigers men's basketball vs Memphis Tigers men's basketball rivalry is one of those matchups that doesn’t happen every year, but when it does, it’s loud. It’s gritty. It’s basically a clash of two very different basketball cultures.
You’ve got Missouri, trying to find its footing in the brutal SEC under Dennis Gates. Then you’ve got Memphis, a program that Penny Hardaway has turned into a high-octane, transfer-portal-loving machine in the AAC.
Most people look at the jersey and see "Tigers," but if you dig into the recent history—especially that November 4, 2024, season opener—you realize these two programs are moving in very different directions. Memphis took that one 83-75. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement about where both rosters stood. Missouri actually led by 10 at the half, but then things got... weird.
Why the Missouri Tigers Men's Basketball vs Memphis Tigers Men's Basketball Rivalry Hits Different
Historically, this isn't a "true" rivalry in the sense of Kansas vs. Missouri or Memphis vs. Tennessee. They've only played about 14 times since the mid-60s. But the geography makes it spicy. Both teams recruit the same kids in St. Louis and the surrounding areas. When a kid from Missouri chooses the 901 over Columbia, fans notice.
The head-to-head record is surprisingly even over the last decade, but Memphis has grabbed the momentum lately. Before the 2024-25 season started, people were wondering if Dennis Gates could replicate his Year 1 magic. Memphis, meanwhile, was coming off a dominant 29-6 season where they swept the AAC regular season and tournament titles.
Here’s the thing most people miss: Memphis has become the "Portal Kings." In that last matchup, PJ Haggerty—a transfer from North Texas—basically lived at the free-throw line. He dropped 25 points. Missouri simply couldn't stop him without fouling. On the other side, Missouri's Anthony Robinson II showed flashes of brilliance with 16 points and 7 assists, but the supporting cast couldn't keep up when Memphis turned on the jets in the second half.
The Tale of the Two Halves (A Case Study in 2024-25)
Let’s talk about that November game because it’s the perfect microcosm of this matchup.
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First Half: Missouri looked like a well-oiled machine. They shot 54.5% from the floor. They were moving the ball, finding Tamar Bates for open looks, and basically silencing the FedExForum. They went into the locker room up 42-32.
Second Half: Total meltdown. Or, more accurately, a Memphis masterclass.
Memphis outscored Mizzou 51-33 in the final 20 minutes. How?
- Aggression: Memphis shot 29 free throws compared to Missouri's 25.
- Paint Dominance: Between PJ Haggerty and Tyrese Hunter (a Texas transfer), Memphis lived in the restricted area.
- The Bench: Missouri actually had more bench points (32 to 25), but Memphis’s starters played heavy minutes—Haggerty played 39 out of 40 minutes.
It's sorta wild to see a team dominate for 20 minutes and then completely lose the thread. That’s been the story for Mizzou lately—finding consistency.
Breaking Down the Rosters (2025-2026 Season)
As we sit here in January 2026, the landscape has shifted again.
Missouri's Rebuild under Dennis Gates
Dennis Gates is a "numbers guy," but even the best analytics can’t account for a lack of veteran interior presence. For the 2025-26 season, Missouri has leaned heavily on:
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- Anthony Robinson II: Now a junior, he’s the undisputed floor general.
- Mark Mitchell: The Duke transfer has brought some much-needed ACC toughness to the wing.
- The "Big" Problem: Mizzou has 7'5" Trent Burns, but he’s a redshirt freshman who is still figuring out the physical nature of the SEC.
Mizzou fans are still waiting for Jevon Porter to get fully healthy. He’s been dealing with a nagging leg injury that’s kept him out of several key games this January. When he’s on, he’s a 6'11" nightmare, but you can’t win games from the training table.
Memphis: The Penny Hardaway Experience
Penny doesn't do "slow." He does "now." The 2025-26 Memphis roster is a collection of high-major talent that needed a fresh start.
- Dug McDaniel: The Kansas State/Michigan transfer is a lightning bolt at point guard.
- Aaron Bradshaw: A 7'1" Ohio State/Kentucky transfer who protects the rim like his life depends on it.
- Curtis Givens III: The local kid who chose to stay home and is already a sophomore leader.
Honestly, Memphis plays with a chip on its shoulder. They feel like they belong in the Big 12 or the SEC, and they play like it every time a "power conference" team shows up on the schedule.
The Strategy: How Missouri Can Actually Beat Memphis
If these two meet again soon—or for fans looking at the blueprint of how Mizzou can turn the tide—it comes down to one word: Control.
Missouri loves to play fast, but Memphis plays faster. In their last meeting, Missouri had 24 points off turnovers. That’s great! But they also allowed Memphis to shoot 57.7% in the second half. You can't give up easy buckets and expect to win on the road.
To beat a Penny Hardaway team, you have to:
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- Limit Free Throw Attempts: Memphis is coached to draw contact. If you’re reaching, you’re losing.
- Win the "Glass" War: In the 2024 matchup, Memphis out-rebounded Mizzou 37-32. Five boards might not seem like much, but those second-chance points (14 for Memphis) were the difference.
- Survive the "Tiger Run": Memphis always has a 12-2 run in them. Missouri has to learn how to call a timeout, take a breath, and execute a set play instead of trying to out-scramble them.
Where the Programs Stand Right Now
As of mid-January 2026, Memphis is once again hovering near the top of the AAC, though they’ve had some stumbles—like that 89-78 loss at Florida Atlantic recently. They’re a team that can beat anyone in the country on Tuesday and then look disinterested on Saturday.
Missouri is grinding through the SEC. It's a gauntlet. With games against Alabama and Oklahoma looming, the Tigers (the Columbia ones) are fighting for an NCAA Tournament bubble spot. They need "Quad 1" wins, and a win over a team like Memphis—had they scheduled it this year—would have been gold.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re following the Missouri Tigers men's basketball vs Memphis Tigers men's basketball trajectory, keep these specific things in mind for future matchups:
- Watch the Portal: Both coaches are aggressive recruiters. The roster you see in November is rarely the same one you'll see in March in terms of chemistry.
- Home Court is Real: The FedExForum is a hostile environment for Mizzou. Conversely, Mizzou Arena can be a "snake pit" when the students are there. Always look at the venue before making a call.
- Injury Reports: Especially for Missouri. Without Jevon Porter or a healthy Mark Mitchell, they lack the "gravity" needed to open up the perimeter for shooters like Tamar Bates.
- The "Haggerty" Effect: Keep an eye on high-usage guards. Memphis builds their offense around one or two guys who can create their own shot. If Mizzou doesn't have a "lockdown" defender (like Anthony Robinson II), they're in trouble.
At the end of the day, this matchup is a blast because it feels like a civil war. Same name, same colors, different worlds. Whether it's a regular-season clash or a potential NCAA Tournament seeding battle, the Tiger vs. Tiger narrative never gets old.
Keep an eye on the injury report for Jevon Porter as Missouri heads into their next SEC game against Georgia. For Memphis, watch how Penny manages the rotation with Dug McDaniel now that the AAC schedule is heating up. Both teams have the talent to make a deep run in March, but they have to stop beating themselves first.