Temple won’t face Memphis’ top scorer in AAC tournament

Memphis will be without leading scorer Austin Nichols for Friday's AAC quarterfinal game against Temple.

Nichols, a 6-8 sophomore forward averaging 13.3 points and 6.1 rebounds, sustained a bone bruise in his ankle on Feb. 28 against Tulsa. Tigers coach Josh Pastner said Nichols will not play at all in the conference tournament, but could be available should Memphis advance to the postseason.

The Tigers (18-13) almost surely have to win the AAC to make it to the NCAA Tournament.

Counting the Tulsa game, Memphis is 1-3 since Nichols went down. He had 17 points, eight boards and six blocks against the Owls in a game Temple won at Memphis in the closing seconds on Feb. 7. He had 17-12-7 in a game against the Owls last season.

Temple (22-9) plays Memphis at 2:20 p.m. on Friday in Hartford.