Jayden Reid's incredible finish gives Memphis opening-night upset of No. 18 Iowa State

Jayden Reid's incredible late-game performance gave the Memphis Tigers an opening-night upset victory over No. 18 Iowa State. The Tigers entered the season with high expectations after a disappointing 13-win campaign in previous years. Memphis needed a strong start, and Reid delivered, scoring 26 points, including Memphis' final 11, to secure the win.

The game was competitive until the end, with Iowa State erasing a seven-point deficit late in the second half to tie the score at 69 with 3:15 remaining. Reid then took over, driving Memphis to a 78-73 victory. His 3-pointer with 38 seconds left extended the Tigers' lead, and Iowa State could not recover. Reid's 6-for-11 shooting from the field and 12-for-14 at the free-throw line were crucial.

Memphis' outside shooting also made the difference, as they made nine of 20 three-point attempts compared to Iowa State's four of 20. This victory marked Iowa State's first opening-night loss since 2017, providing a much-needed early-season result for Memphis. The Tigers now face VCU on Saturday, having already accomplished something last season's team rarely managed: defeating a quality opponent in a game that mattered.