Memphis’ Randall grows consistent
They’ve become a familiar pair at Larry O. Finch Center, Memphis sophomore Craig Randall II working his way around the perimeter as his father, also named Craig, stands underneath the basket.
They’ll start with mid-range jumpers. First off the catch, then off the bounce. Randall will have to make five of seven before moving out to the corner, where his father will direct him to swish two of three threepointers. One night they may work on shooting around a curl screen or in pick-androll situations. The next evening it might be stationary shots over a zone defense.
The elder Randall does his best to simulate game scenarios because he tracks them all carefully, from his seats in section 103 of FedExForum or his television at home, trying to figure out improvements that can be made.
In recent weeks, the workouts have become more frequent and the lessons doled out can be harsh. Other days, though, Craig Randall will simply watch his youngest son launch shot after shot in silence, and remember why he dropped everything to move to Memphis.
“Sometimes, you don’t want to hear from your dad,” Randall’s father said. “Sometimes, I’m just here to pass the ball.”
When the Tigers face their stiffest test to date at No. 15 Cincinnati Thursday night, Randall will try to build off his best performance in months. He scored 13 points during last week’s loss at Connecticut, including 11 in the first half when Coach Tubby Smith called him the key cog as Memphis charged out to a 17point lead.
But consistency has mostly eluded Randall to this point in his college career, and the toll that took ultimately con- Who: Memphis (18-9, 8-6) at No. 15 Cincinnati (24-3, 13-1) When, where: 6 p.m. Today; Fifth Third Bank Arena TV, radio: ESPN; WREC-AM 600, WEGR-FM 102.7
vinced his father to find a job here in Memphis and relocate from Arizona last October.
“Last year was a tough year,” said Randall’s father, who is the vice president of sales and operation for a software company. “That was the first year he didn’t really have any local support.”
The Randalls, after all, are a basketball family. One older brother coaches at a basketball academy in China. Another, Kyle Randall, led Central Michigan in scoring during the 2012-13 season and currently plays professionally in Serbia. Craig Randall was the most emotional of the three, and had the most to live up to.
Though he grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, Randall followed his father to the Phoenix area for his senior year of high school when the elder Randall got a new job. He played for longtime NBA point guard Mike Bibby at Shadow Mountain High, but didn’t commit to Memphis until July. As a result, Randall missed out on valuable offseason workouts and, “just never caught up,” his father said.
Randall averaged only 2.3 points, shot 18.6 percent from three-point range and had a short leash as a freshman. But to understand the full extent of the problems, it’s important to realize the adjustments he was implementing on the fly.
“What most people don’t know, and I’m really not trying to start anything, but Craig has been a point guard his entire life until he came here,” Randall’s father said.
Randall, however, never went home after that disappointing initial college campaign. He stayed in Memphis, saying Tuesday he was in the gym nearly every night. He kept up the routine heading into the fall, eventually adding his father to the post-practice shooting sessions in October, and the results were there for all to see once his sophomore year began.
Seven games into this season, Randall was averaging double figures in scoring and had two outings in which he knocked down five three pointers. The former point guard had suddenly become a vital sharpshooter off the bench.
But, in retrospect, Randall allowed that initial success to change his methods and “I got away from getting in the gym after games,” he said. “In the middle of the season, I think I was trying to rush it and force it a little bit. But I know if you press, you’re probably not going to play as well. I’ve done that a lot this year.”
Over a 13-game stretch, Randall shot 7 for 39 from three-point range (17.9 percent) as his scoring average dipped below six points
“You can have some success and it will cause you to make some excuses for why you can’t get to the gym, and as a parent, you try not to force them to go to the gym,” Randall’s father said. “We thought he was going to have a really, really good year and the reality is he’s had a so-so year. But as of late, he’s kind of got back into a rhythm. Coach Smith has trusted him more and he’s delivered.”
Despite the ups and downs, only redshirt junior Markel Crawford has knocked down more three-pointers than Randall this season. With opponents increasingly using zone defenses against the Tigers, this sort of marksmanship from outside becomes even more valuable.
And yet, Randall might have the funkiest-looking shot on the roster. The left-hander lets go of the ball from just above his right shoulder, a habit Randall said Tuesday “really just happened last year when I came in.” He didn’t shoot like this in high school. Smith is trying to raise his release point over time, but if it ever becomes a long-term issue, one person will be sure to correct it.
The trust between Randall and his father is different now, with both here in Memphis. Craig Randall knows he won’t be receiving a sugarcoated critique of his play. Randall’s father, meanwhile, better understands what his son goes through on the bench after being yanked from a game earlier than expected.
On most nights, though, their bond is as simple as a basketball drill. Randall shoots, his father rebounds and a relationship grows stronger.
“He’s turned the corner,” Randall’s father said. “He’s earned the right to be confident because he’s put the work in.”
Reach Mark Giannotto at mark.giannotto@commercialappeal. com or on Twitter @mgiannotto