UPDATE: Memphis to play LSU in basketball in Tupelo
by NEMS360.com
5 months ago | 1987 views | 12 12 comments | 13 13 recommendations | email to a friend | print
The Memphis Tigers will play LSU in basketball next year in Tupelo, Memphis Athletic Director R.C. Johnson told Sports 56 WHBQ radio station.

BancorpSouth Arena Director Todd Hunt confirmed that the game will take place in November between the two schools. He said a date couldn't be released at this point.

"We were excited to bring this type of entertainment to Tupelo," Hunt said. "They came to us and it sounded like a great event. We're always talking to Mississippi State and Ole Miss about coming back and we will continue to. This is a great way to get college basketball to Tupelo."

Hunt said more information will be available in the future about tickets and the date.

Click here for first reports about this game coming to Tupelo from Sports Buzz blog.
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comments (12)
« antsgomarchng wrote on Wednesday, Mar 31 at 09:59 PM »
I think it's good for Tupelo, and if my schedule permits, I will be at the game. MSU & UM play at least twice a year , once on each campus, and both are only an hour away. I like to see 2 different teams play. Memphis & another SEC team is a good game to see.
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« tupelohistoryteacher wrote on Wednesday, Mar 31 at 08:40 PM »
To Mikoma - Stay away in droves??? What would the purpose be in doing that. Did you not read the article. It improves the teams RPI which in turn helps with getting into the NCAA tournament.

Why stay away? I don't get it. It will bring in many Memphis fans into Tupelo and several LSU fans that live up this way, even though their basketball team stinks! It is going to bring in great tax money into the area. LSU will stay the night before, probably, and people will eat and maybe shop before the game starts.

If you don't have an educated comment to make, please keep it to yourself. You don't do yourself any good by saying it outloud.
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« jpceditor wrote on Wednesday, Mar 31 at 05:31 PM »
The Commercial Appeal reporting date is Nov. 21.
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« Mikoma wrote on Wednesday, Mar 31 at 05:29 PM »
This is very puzzling. There must be a reason but what does Memphis and LSU have to gain by playing a basketball game in Tupelo? I am not aware of a super basketball player in the area that these two teams would want to impress. Very strange indeed. Neither of these teams are my favorites, to say the least. Can't help but be a little suspicious. I hope Mississippians stay away in droves!
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« jasonlp wrote on Wednesday, Mar 31 at 04:07 PM »
Yeah I don't see why Ole Miss or State couldn't play a non conference game in Tupelo, last season I think Ole Miss played someone in the Desoto Civic Center. State or Ole Miss vs USM would be nice to see.
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« justanexex wrote on Wednesday, Mar 31 at 01:55 PM »
This is pretty good. Two teams wanting to play, and Tupelo wanting to host - something/anything. This corner of the state has traditionally been a strong suportor of high school ball, and many individuals have tried to draw upon this.

Hopefully, this will be successful. Perhaps Ole Miss and Miss. State will take a second look at Tupelo, again. They must be taking us for granted.
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« jasonlp wrote on Wednesday, Mar 31 at 12:42 PM »
I'd be interested in going myself, Memphis should have a pretty good team next season.
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« WTFDude wrote on Wednesday, Mar 31 at 12:32 PM »
Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Okay, I guess.
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« tupelojoe81 wrote on Wednesday, Mar 31 at 12:31 PM »
yeah this will be nice.....the sad part is, is that it might draw more than MSU and Ole Miss do when they play here....MSU and UM usually have roughly over 4k.......Memphis fans travel real well. I'd be very curious to see how many will show up.
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« jasonlp wrote on Wednesday, Mar 31 at 11:33 AM »
Well I welcome the game, it will bring people to the city and they will spend money.
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« jpceditor wrote on Wednesday, Mar 31 at 10:49 AM »
Here's more explanation of why from the blog post link above ...

Why is Tupelo being considered? According to The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, the Memphis contract with the FedEx Forum insists that any “neutral court” game be played at least 75 miles outside Memphis. That takes the DeSoto Civic Center out of play.

LSU and Memphis were looking for a place to make this happen and Tupelo was it. This will be a neutral game.
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« jasonlp wrote on Wednesday, Mar 31 at 10:45 AM »
My question is why, I think most people would rather seem MSU or Ole Miss come back.
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