Memphis Tigers Defeat UAB Blazers in AAC Tournament Championship

The Tigers secure an NCAA Tournament bid with a hard-fought victory over the Blazers.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:34am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game, with overlapping planes of color and shape representing the players, ball, and court action.The Memphis Tigers' hard-fought victory over the UAB Blazers in the AAC Tournament championship showcases the intensity and athleticism of college basketball.Fort Worth Today

In a thrilling matchup, the Memphis Tigers defeated the UAB Blazers 72-68 to win the American Athletic Conference Tournament championship. The victory secures an automatic bid for the Tigers to the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

Why it matters

The AAC Tournament championship is a significant accomplishment for the Memphis program, which has been working to rebuild its national reputation in recent years. This win over a tough UAB squad demonstrates the Tigers' ability to compete at a high level and earn a spot in the prestigious NCAA Tournament.

The details

Memphis guard PJ Haggerty led the way with 20 points, including several key baskets down the stretch to hold off a late UAB rally. The Blazers were paced by guard Efrem Johnson, who scored a team-high 18 points in the losing effort.

  • The championship game was played on March 16 in Fort Worth, Texas.
  • Memphis secured the AAC's automatic NCAA Tournament bid with the victory.

The players

PJ Haggerty

A standout guard for the Memphis Tigers who scored a game-high 20 points in the championship victory.

Efrem Johnson

The leading scorer for the UAB Blazers, tallying 18 points in the losing effort against Memphis.

Memphis Tigers

The men's basketball team from the University of Memphis, who won the American Athletic Conference Tournament championship.

UAB Blazers

The men's basketball team from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, who were the runners-up in the AAC Tournament.

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What they’re saying

“Our guys really battled today against a tough UAB team. I'm proud of the effort and determination they showed to earn this championship.”

— Penny Hardaway, Head Coach, Memphis Tigers

“We gave it our all, but Memphis made the plays down the stretch to come out on top. I'm still proud of how far we've come this season.”

— Andy Kennedy, Head Coach, UAB Blazers

What’s next

The Memphis Tigers will now await their seeding and opponent for the upcoming NCAA Tournament, which begins later this month.

The takeaway

This AAC Tournament championship represents a significant milestone for the Memphis program, as they have re-established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in college basketball and earned a coveted spot in the NCAA Tournament field.