MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Nicholls State University men's basketball team will face one final non-conference challenge as the squad heads to Tennessee for a matchup with Memphis at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at FedExForum.
 
Tuesday's battle can be viewed live on ESPN3.
 
The Colonels (4-10) dropped their Southland Conference opener at home against Lamar, 79-67, on Saturday, and will look to put forth a strong performance against the Tigers (9-4) before returning to league play.
 
Memphis was riding an eight-game winning streak, before falling to undefeated South Carolina, 86-76, on Saturday in Columbia.
 
The Tigers are 2-0 in the all-time series against Nicholls. Memphis earned a 98-59 victory in the most recent meeting between programs on Nov. 23, 2013.
 
The Colonels average 67.1 points per game and surrender 80.6. Nicholls shoots 38.9% from the floor and 29.4% from three-point range, while allowing 48.4% and 31.3% respectively. The Colonels have a -10.9 rebounding margin and a +0.9 turnover margin this season.
 
The Tigers average 78.8 points per game and hold opponents to 67.9. Memphis shoots 40.7% from the field and 29.7% from beyond the arc, while allowing 36.1% and 29.8% respectively. The Tigers have a +2.8 rebounding margin and a +2.4 turnover margin on the year.
 
Memphis leads the nation in blocked shots and is second in total blocks. The Tigers are second in the country in free throw attempts, third in free throws made and fourth in field goal percentage defense. Memphis is seventh in both defensive rebounds per game and total rebounds per game.
 
Ja'Dante' Frye leads Nicholls in average points (17.2), boards (5.9) and steals (1.2). T.J. Carpenter paces the squad with 2.7 assists per game and is second on the team in average points (12.4) and rebounds (5.4). Liam Thomas averages a team-high 1.4 blocks, and is third on the squad in average points (7.9) and boards (3.5).
 
Dedric Lawson spearheads the Tigers' attack with 14.7 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Alabama transfer Ricky Tarrant Jr. leads the team with 3.5 assists per game, and is second in scoring, averaging 14.2 points. Lawson and Shaq Goodwin average 2.3 and 2.1 blocks per game respectively. Goodwin is second on the team in average boards (8.5) and third in average points (12.5).
 
The Colonels return to conference action with a home game against Abilene Christian at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, before traveling to Texas for a matchup with Houston Baptist.
 
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls basketball, visit geauxcolonels.com.