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Top-seeded Memphis squares off with newcomer Texas Arlington

Mar 21, 2008 - 11:19 AM No. 16 Texas Arlington (21-11) at No. 1 Memphis (33-1) 9:55 pm EDT

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (Ticker) - While Memphis knows what comes with being a top seed, Texas Arlington will find out what all the fuss with the NCAA Tournament is all about.

The top-seeded Tigers face the No. 16 Mavericks in the first round of the South Regional on Friday.

A top-ranked team for more than half the season, Memphis (33-1) collected the third No. 1 seed in school history after posting an undefeated campaign in Conference USA for the second straight season.

The Tigers, who have reached in the regional finals in the NCAAs in each of the last two seasons, captured their 42nd consecutive C-USA win with a 77-51 victory over Tulsa in the conference championship game on Saturday.

Antonio Anderson scored 19 points and leading scorer Chris Douglas-Roberts added 16 as Memphis sealed its third straight C-USA tournament crown.

The last time that the Tigers had a top seed was in 2006, when they were toppled by eventual runner-up UCLA in a regional final showdown. Memphis has reached the Final Four twice in school history, with the last occurring in 1985.

While the Tigers are preparing a possible deep run in the NCAAs, Texas Arlington (21-11) will just be aiming to enjoy the moment as it clinched its first berth in school history by winning the Southland Conference tournament on Sunday.

Rog'er Guignard scored 17 points as the Mavericks posted an 82-79 victory over Northwestern State to set a school record with their 21st win.

The winner will face either eight-seeded Mississippi State or No. 9 Oregon in the second round on Sunday.