Dec. 2, 2011

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - - The Melissa McFerrin Radio Show will kick off its 2011-12 season with its first show on Saturday at 6 p.m. The show will air before the men's basketball pre-game show begins on AM 600 WREC in Memphis.

This week's show is hosted by women's basketball play-by-play announcer Jeff Brightwell and head coach Melissa McFerrin. The show also features a segment with senior guard Brittany Carter, who talks about making the Naismith Trophy Early Season Watch List, looking back on her decision to come play at Memphis, how this team fits in the Tigers' winning history, what moving away from home has taught her and her thoughts on Sunday's game against the first of four straight opponents from last year's NCAA field.

The Tigers will close out a five-game homestand, Sunday, at 2 p.m. against UT Martin, one of four straight NCAA opponents on the Memphis schedule in the next two weeks. UT Martin won the Ohio Valley conference championship last year and is off to a 4-2 start, with road wins over Saint Louis and Southern Miss already under their belts. The young Skyhawk team also has wins over Air Force and Belmont and is closing out a five-game road trip.

Fans wanting to attend the Sunday afternoon contest at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse can bring a new or gently used stuffed animal to participate in the Teddy Bear Toss game. All stuffed animals will be tossed on the court at halftime in an effort to win a prize. The donated animals will then be collected and donated before this holiday season to local Memphis youth. Anyone bringing a stuffed animal donation will receive free admission to the 2 p.m. game.

The Melissa McFerrin radio show airs each Saturday either before or after the Tiger men's basketball pre-game/post-game show. Jeff Brightwell and Coach McFerrin review each week's games, preview any upcoming games and this year, will add one segment with a Tiger women's basketball player for each show. All of the Melissa McFerrin radio shows air on AM 600 WREC in the Memphis area. For fans not in the Memphis listening area, the archived audio of each week's show will be made available in the All-Access subscription on www.gotigersgo.com.