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Memphis takes on Middle Tennessee State after long layoff

Dec 15, 2007 - 2:44 PM No. 2 Memphis (7-0) at Middle Tenn (3-5) 7:05 pm EST

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) - Coming off an 11-day layoff, second-ranked Memphis faces Middle Tennessee State on Saturday.

The Tigers are 7-0 for the first time since the 1995-96 season when they won their first eight games to start the season. Ironically, that 8-0 team suffered its first loss to current Memphis coach John Calipari's Massachusetts team.

Memphis will have to shake off the rust in order to make it eight straight to start the season. The Tigers have been off since posting a 62-58 overtime triumph over Southern California on December 4.

Preseason Conference USA Player of the Year Chris-Douglas Roberts leads the team in scoring at 20.1 points per game, while freshman Derrick Rose is averaging 15.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists.

The Blue Raiders are coming off an 86-80 overtime victory over Belmont on Wednesday. In their only game against a ranked team this season, the Blue Devils were hammered by Tennessee, 109-40, on November 20.

Desmond Yates leads five MTSU players in double figures at 12.3 points per game.

Memphis leads the series, 26-14, including wins in each of the last three seasons.