For the first time since since Jan. 10, 1983 the Memphis Tigers are on top of the college basketball world. The Tigers propelled to the pinnacle of the polls Monday as they were No.1 in both the AP and the coaches poll.

The last and only time Memphis was the top ranked team in the nation they lost the very same day. The Tigers were upset that night by Virginia Tech, 64-56.

It took Memphis just over a quarter century to get back to the top.

History almost repeated itself as the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes took Memphis to the limit Wednesday night before the Tigers pulled away late for a 56-41 road win.

Chris Douglas-Roberts scored 20 points, and reserve Shawn Taggart scored 12 of his 14 in the second half to help No. 1 Memphis win their 28th consecutive Conference USA game.

The Tigers took control of the game as Douglas-Roberts broke away and sent home a thunderous dunk that echoed throughout the Reynolds Center. Douglas-Roberts’ hoop extended the Tigers lead to 48-38.

Taggart followed with a 3-pointer — only his sixth in 11 attempts this season — and Douglas-Roberts added a layup off a baseline inbounds pass as Memphis reeled off nine consecutive points to go up 54-38 with 4:02 left.  

The Tigers (18-0, 5-0 Conference USA) were never threatened again and now they can look forward to one of the few obstacles left on their scehdule – Gonzaga.

Memphis hosts the Zags (15-4, 4-0 West Coast Conference) Saturday morning at the FedEx Forum. The Tigers should be energize for this matchup with the former Cinderalla from the West Coast.

The Tigers will be greeted by 18,400 fans Saturday as Memphis will be playing their first ever home game as the top ranked team in the nation.

Douglas-Roberts led the Tigers Wednesday with 20 points. Taggert and freshman phenom Derrick Rose added 14 points for Memphis as they extended the record for best start ever by a C-USA team.

The 1998-99 Cincinnati squad (15-0) had the best start in the conference’s history before this season.

The Tigers hold the nation’s longest home court winning streak. Memphis has won 42 straight games at the FedEx Forum.

Memphis’ current 42-game homecourt win streak is the longest in the nation, and it is now the longest in Tiger basketball history. The current streak of 42 broke the previous one of 39 straight that spanned from the end of the 1983-84 season through the 1986-87 campaign. The previous long home win streak in the John Calipari era was 24 straight that stretched from the middle of the 2002-03 season through the start of the 2004-05 year.

Memphis beat Gonzaga on the road last February, 78-77. 

Memphis fans have to be loving this prediction from Hookscenter: 40-0 record and 2008 NCAA Champions.