Much is at stake for Memphis vs. Ole Miss
Game begins key stretch affecting postseason fate
Memphis basketball won’t have much time to dwell on Wednesday’s disheartening 82-79 loss at Georgia.
That’s because the No. 19 Tigers (5-2) have a road date with Ole Miss (5-2) on Saturday (11 a.m., ESPN2). Penny Hardaway’s team, now potentially facing stiff postseason ramifications thanks to what could wind up as a Quad 3 loss, have a chance to mitigate the damage in the next few weeks. Memphis gets the Rebels (No. 68 in Kenpom) first. After a home game with Murray State, the Tigers face No. 16 Alabama on Dec. 14 at Fedexforum and get No. 15 Tennessee on Dec. 18 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
Here is what else you need to know about the game versus Ole Miss:
Emoni Bates reviews new offense
Memphis needed something to breathe life into its sputtering offense.
So, Hardaway reinstalled a more structured scheme designed to promote ball movement, more active sets and cut down on turnovers. It’s the same one, he said earlier this week, that the Tigers adopted midway through last season that helped them finish strong, winning 15 of their last 19 games.
So far, so good. Memphis scored its most points in three games and was better all around on the offensive end. Freshman star Emoni Bates was 5-of-11 from the field with 11 points. Bates said he’s happy with the new system but there’s room for improvement.
“I definitely like the offense,” he said.
“It’s a great offense for us. We’ve just got to run harder and cut the right way to our spots. We were kind of jogging (against Georgia). We’ve got to sprint to (our spots) and we can get wide open shots.”
More drastic changes?
Hardaway did not hold back after the loss at Georgia, taking the Tigers’ veteran leadership to task for what he perceives as a lack of caring.
Does that mean certain players’ minutes distribution will be affected moving forward?
“I’ve got to play the guys that care the most, no matter who it is,” Hardaway said. “That’s just what it boils down to. You’ve got to play the guys that are not going to mess the game plan up. (The guys that are) gonna box out, gonna rebound, that aren’t gonna foul at the end of the shot clock, that are gonna move their feet. You’ve got to play those guys, because right now we’re trying to play the best roster of guys and it’s not working.”
Missing pieces
Neither junior forward Chandler Lawson nor junior center Malcolm Dandridge played against Georgia and their status remain questionable for Ole Miss.
Lawson left Memphis’ win over Virginia Tech last week with a left ankle injury. Hardaway said Tuesday he expects the Oregon transfer “to be out a little longer.”
Dandridge, on the other hand, did not travel to Athens. Hardaway said the former East standout was dealing with an illness, adding it is not COVID-19 related. Whether he will be available Saturday remains unknown.
Ole Miss scouting report
The Tigers’ offense could be in for another stiff challenge in Oxford.
The Rebels are Memphis’ second opponent in its last three games to rank in the top 50 in adjusted defensive efficiency. Ole Miss is allowing 61 points per game (61st in the country). Luis Rodriguez (12) is responsible for the bulk of Ole Miss’ steals. He ranks 70th in the nation in steal percentage.
Jarkel Joiner, at 15.4 points per game, represents the Rebels’ primary scoring threat. Austin Crowley ranks 85th in the nation with 4.2 assists per game. But Ole Miss’ 74 points per game on offense rank 151st in Division I.
Prediction
Memphis 76, Ole Miss 65: In the wake of a demoralizing loss at Georgia, this is as close to a must-win as there is on the Tigers’ schedule.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.