Memphis wins in the Bahamas
NASSAU, Bahamas – Approximately 400 Memphis basketball fans were packed tightly inside the New Providence Ballroom at the Baha Mar Resort on Wednesday to get their first glance at the new-look Tigers.
What a look it was.
Following a slow start, Memphis found its footing and got into a groove late in the second quarter that spilled over into the second half of a 114-83 exhibition victory over the Commonwealth Bank Giants.
Isaiah Maurice's 3-pointer late in the second quarter started the avalanche, putting the Tigers ahead for the first time and for good.
Here are five things we learned:
No James Wiseman
Coach Penny Hardaway settled on a starting lineup of Damion Baugh, Boogie Ellis, Lester Quinones, Lance Thomas and D.J. Jeffries.
The same five started every quarter.
Four freshmen and a sophomore (Thomas), who had to sit out the 2018-19 season due to NCAA transfer rules.
Thomas' career began at Louisville.
James Wiseman, Memphis' 7foot-1 freshman and the No. 1 2019 recruit in the country, did not play because of a minor shoulder injury. Neither did 6-9 wing Precious Achiuwa, a native of Nigeria, who will not play at all this week because of visa issues. Malcolm Dandridge also did not play — and will not at all this week — as he continues to recover from knee surgery that caused him to miss the last few weeks of senior season at East.
Who runs the point?
Perhaps the easier question to answer would be who didn't.
Memphis switched early and often, letting Ellis handle point guard responsibilities on the first few possessions, followed by Baugh and Quinones.
A few substitutions later, Tyler Harris and Alex Lomax alternated for a few series.
None of them played flawless
basketball but none seemed out of his element. The flip-flopping slowed down in the second half, as Ellis and Lomax took over the bulk of the duties.
Lance Thomas: Captain
The distinction was bestowed upon the 6-9 forward for the exhibition opener and Thomas delivered.
Following a ho-hum 6:51 in the first half that saw him score just six points and collect three rebounds, Thomas started the third quarter like a house of fire.
The Georgia native scored seven points and grabbed three rebounds before the third quarter was three minutes old.
Thomas, who handled jump-ball duties in Wiseman’s absence, finished with 19 points and eight rebounds. He also blocked a shot.
His presence and production will be key the rest of this week.
Fantastic freshmen
Quinones was 4-of-6 on 3-pointers and finished with 14 points.
He also finished tied for the teamhigh with eight rebounds.
Jeffries had 21 points and eight rebounds.
Jeffries showed a smooth mid-range stroke, while also proving he’s got the toughness to make a difference in the frontcourt.
Deep bench
Hardaway emptied the bench early. Everyone who played scored. Baugh provided the game’s most highlightworthy dunk with a one-handed slam in the fourth quarter.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly. the rigors of a long season begin catching up with them?
February
The Grizzlies will be looking for house-sitters in February as they play just one home game in a 24-day span during the middle of the month.
In total, seven of the team’s 11 games this month are split between two road trips. The second trip goes Kings-lakers-clippers-rockets and comes after the All-star break as playoff-bound teams will be trying to find their groove.
Even with the All-star break bringing a reprieve, February appears to be the most difficult month on the schedule.
Reach Grizzlies beat writer David Cobb at david.cobb@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @Davidwcobb.