49 points in loss is second fewest under Hardaway
The name on the front of the opposition’s jersey was the same as it was on Jan. 22.
So, too, was the outcome. After getting blown out 80-40 at Tulsa last season, Memphis’ severe ineptness on offense kept it from exacting revenge. The Golden Hurricane left Fedexforum Monday night with a 56-49 victory.
The loss came on the same day Memphis announced it had agreed with coach Penny Hardaway on a five-year contract extension worth $12.25 million.
Deandre Williams led the Tigers (5-4, 1-1 AAC) with 13 points and nine rebounds.
Here are five observations from the Tigers’ loss to Tulsa (3-3, 1-1), which came into the game ranked 95th by Kenpom.com.
Bad ball
Despite holding Tulsa to under 35% shooting, including under 23% from 3point range, Memphis had just as much trouble putting points on the board.
The Tigers shot 32.1% from the field and 26.3% (5-of-19) from 3-point range and were 10-for-21 from the free-throw line.
Leading scorers Landers Nolley II and D.J. Jeffries combined to go 4for-17 from the floor and 2-for-9 from beyond the arc. Nolley, who started 0for-6, heated up in the second half, hitting back-to-back 3-pointers with less than five minutes to play to put Memphis up by six.
But, immediately after his second 3pointer, Nolley was whistled for a technical foul after he appeared to direct a remark toward the Tulsa bench. The Golden Hurricane made both free throws, which sparked an 18-5 run to the end of the game.
With Memphis trailing 49-45 with less than a minute to play, Nolley missed a 3-point attempt. He and Williams went after the carom, but the ball squirted out of bounds, giving Tulsa possession.
The Tigers also committed 20 turnovers, the third time in as many games they’ve given up at least 15.
An ugly pattern
The Golden Hurricane have had Memphis’ number the last two seasons.
Specifically, its point total. The Tigers’ 49 points are the second-fewest they’ve scored in a game in Hardaway’s three seasons as coach.
The fewest they’ve scored since Hardaway took over: 40, last season against Tulsa.
Memphis took a 27-19 lead into halftime, but missed 16 of its 21 field goal attempts in the second half.
Nothing comes easy
Memphis’ issues in the short-range game have been well-documented.
The Tigers put them back on display against Tulsa. Memphis converted just twice on 11 layup attempts. This on the heels of a 6 for 20 showing in last week’s win over Tulane.
Williams and Jeffries were the only Tigers to make a layup in the first half Monday.
They also missed one each, while Quinones, Damion Baugh, Boogie Ellis, Ahmad Rand and Jayden Hardaway also missed one apiece.
Empty seats
Baugh looked up during the team’s pregame introductions and waved his arms, the way one would encourage fans to get on their feet or make some noise.
Assistant coach Cody Toppert did something similar moments earlier as he emerged from the tunnel and walked onto the court.
It was all in jest, of course. Apart from a select dozen or so supporters seated in one section high above the floor, Fedexforum was virtually empty. Media members and game staff made up the rest of the in-person attendees on hand.
A day earlier, in anticipation of Shelby County issuing a new Safer At Home order, it was announced Memphis men’s and women’s basketball games would be played without spectators for the foreseeable future. In three home games prior to Monday, the Tigers’ average attendance was 2,623.
Tigers out of action
Junior guard Alex Lomax did not play after suffering an injury to his right thumb against Tulsa. Despite leading the team in assists (33), Lomax has struggled this season (4.4 points, on 32.5% shooting, and 2.9 rebounds a game).
Sophomore center Malcolm Dandridge was also held out of the game, the second straight he has missed with what Hardaway has identified as lingering knee issues.
Freshman center Moussa Cisse left Monday’s game momentarily with an ankle injury, but returned. After the game, he walked off the court favoring the injured ankle.