The Memphis basketball team’s early season schedule has been one of the strongest in the country.

It has also featured an array of contrasting styles and looks. Coming off a commanding road victory over an FAU team that is more offensive-oriented, now the Tigers (11-3, 1-0 AAC) turn their attention to North Texas (11-3, 1-0), which prefers to focus more on defense.

The Mean Green travel to Memphis for a game Sunday (4 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2). It will be the only regular-season meeting between the two.

North Texas is coming off a come-from-behind win at home over UAB on Tuesday. The Blazers were the preseason favorite according to a poll of the AAC’s coaches to win the league. The Tigers earned a win over FAU on Thursday.

Here are three things to keep an eye on ahead of Sunday’s game.

The ‘blessing’ of having Dain Dainja

Memphis big man Dain Dainja feasted on FAU in the second half, scoring all 16 of his points during a 6:54 span.

The former Illinois and Baylor player is averaging 11.4 points per game (fourth on the team), and he’s doing it off the bench.

Coach Penny Hardaway has called it a “luxury” to have a player of Dainja’s caliber playing a reserve role. On Thursday, he went with a new word.

“What a blessing to have Dain Dainja coming off your bench,” he said. “At any time, he can get going. When he got his fourth foul, I left him out there and went with the two bigs (Dainja and Moussa Cisse). They did really well. Dain adds a different layer, because he can score the ball in bunches.”

How to capitalize on momentum

Memphis’ Tyrese Hunter said there was plenty of room for improvement after the FAU win.

The senior guard, who scored 20 points, rattled off a list of things: Keep the confidence level high, pay attention to the scouting report, and maintain the same energy level for a full 40 minutes.

But there was one item very clearly at the top of the list.

“Learn from your mistakes,” he said.

The Tigers committed 19 turnovers and gave up 25 points off those miscues. They also gave up 19 offensive rebounds, which led to 18 second-chance points for FAU.

North Texas basketball scouting report

It’s all about the defense for North Texas.

The Mean Green are second in the nation in steal percentage (15.1%). Eight different members of the roster have registered 10 or more steals through 14 games, led by Latrell Jossell’s 23.

But the Mean Green can create turnovers in other ways. North Texas is fourth in the country in turnover percentage defense (24.4%), and its opponents are averaging 15.1 turnovers per game.

The latter is a top-50 mark in Division I. But Memphis has overcome turnover-minded teams. The Tigers committed 13 turnovers versus Ole Miss and 16 against Missouri but won both of those home games comfortably.

Scoring points is not something North Texas emphasizes. The Mean Green has put up more than 73 points just twice since early November and has only topped 80 points once this season against Mississippi Valley State. That’s partially because of personnel. But it’s also a result of coach Ross Hodge’s philosophy. North Texas plays at one of the five slowest paces in the country, which was also the case last season.

Memphis basketball score prediction vs. North Texas

Memphis 77, North Texas 68: The Mean Green can be a feisty bunch. But the Tigers at home will be more than they can handle.

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com, follow him @munzly on X, and sign up for the Memphis Basketball Insider text group.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — As residents in southeast Texas said goodbye to 2024, many communities dealt with the devastation of winter tornadoes.

In Alvin, Shane Colston was spending time with family and enjoying Christmas festivities when tornadoes hit his home.

“As soon as I came back inside, my wife saw something in the sky like debris flying around, and she asked me to look. As soon as I looked, I heard something in the glass,” Colston said.

His story is just one of many in southeast Texas. The National Weather Service says this past week and the last few years have been considered active for tornadoes.

“So we had about four different supercells that were producing tornadoes. Each one was producing several tornadoes, so I don’t know the exact amount. We’re still calculating that. But I’d say over half a dozen,” NWS Meteorologist Jeff Evans said.

While winter tornadoes are common, the NWS says that if they keep happening at the current rate, more needs to be done to prepare people for them.

Alvin ISD’s Walt Disney Elementary in urgent need of school supplies after tornado damages campus

“Obviously, if this pattern continues and this becomes our new norm, that’s a conversation we’re going to have to have as a community,” Evans said.

Eyewitness News asked if adding tornado sirens would help, which is something Shane would be on board with.

“That’s probably the best thing because you hear those go off, you know, something in your general area,” Colston said.

But NWS says cell phone notifications are more reliable.

“The thing about sirens is that they are mainly kind of outdoor sirens. You can’t guarantee that everyone is going to hear them inside the homes, especially in the middle of the night,” Colston said.

While many states prone to tornadoes use underground shelters, that would be a challenge in this area. However, there is another alternative.

“They do have tornado-safe rooms that you could put above ground as well. You can modify and put that into a home. If people are concerned, there are technologies out there that can give them a safer structure,” Evans said.

For updates, follow Mo Haider on Facebook, X and Instagram.

The stage is set for a monumental clash in the College Football Playoff semifinals. The Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic will witness the Texas Longhorns and the Ohio State Buckeyes battle it out for a shot at the national championship.

The Longhorns displayed unwavering resilience in a nail-biting two-overtime quarterfinal showdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils. They emerged victorious with a score of 39-31, securing their spot in the CFP semifinals. The game was a true test of their mettle, with quarterback Quinn Ewers rising to the occasion and sealing the win with a touchdown pass to Matthew Golden. Ewers’ performance was stellar, with 322 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, along with a rushing touchdown.

The Buckeyes were determined to seek revenge against the top-seeded Oregon Ducks, the team that had handed them a tough loss earlier in the regular season. Their determination paid off as they defeated the Ducks 41-21 to advance to the semifinals. Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard led the offense, completing 65.4% of his passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith significantly contributed to the victory, recording 187 yards and two touchdowns.

Ahead of next week’s Cotton Bowl, the anticipation is palpable. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this significant event.

More: Upset at college football players profiting on sport? Get on train or get run over by it

Goodyear Cotton Bowl predictions: Ohio State vs. Texas

ESPN: Texas has a 50% chance to win

According to ESPN Matchup Predictor, the Texas Longhorns have a 50.8% chance to beat the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.

College Football News: Ohio State

Staff writes: “Texas will do what it always does and get too creative for its own good. Ohio State will be in a fight in the first quarter. Will Howard was brilliant in the first two CFP games, but an early pick followed by an explosive Longhorn drive will set the mood for a far different game than the first two. And then the Buckeyes will kick it back into gear. Sort of like the two Georgia losses, Texas will be terrific for stretches, and then it’ll play like it just doesn’t have … IT. Texas has the talent, and the athleticism, and the want-to, but it doesn’t have that special gear that a far inferior Arizona State team showed in Atlanta. It’ll be Ohio State’s turn to play in Atlanta on January 20th.”

Sporting News: Texas

Kris Johnson writes: “This could be another instant classic for Texas after its rollercoaster win against Arizona State. By all appearances, Ohio State looks like the most complete team left in what began as a 12-team field.The Buckeyes opened as a 5.5-point favorite at DraftKings, but early wagering moved the line to six. It’s tempting to play Texas on the moneyline, but we’re anticipating the spread could reach a full TD by kickoff. We picked the Longhorns to win the national championship at the outset of the CFP, and will wait for the possibility of additional points ATS.”

Tickets to the Cotton Bowl with StubHub

Goodyear Cotton Bowl odds, lines: Ohio State vs. Texas

The Texas Longhorns are favorites to defeat the Ohio State Buckeyes, according to the BetMGM college football odds.

• Spread: Texas (-6)
• Moneylines: Texas (-225); Ohio State (-190)
• Over/under: 53.5

How to watch Ohio State vs. Texas in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl

• Date: Friday, Jan. 10
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN
• Stream: Fubo
• Where: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)

Stream Live: Catch College Bowl games with a Fubo subscription

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.