How Jones held it together in losing streak
David Jones was a man of few words following Memphis basketball’s dramatic, come-from-behind, potentially season-saving 65-63 win over Wichita State on Saturday at Fedexforum.
He used exactly 22 words to answer four questions during the Tigers’ postgame news conference — four fewer than the number of points he had just scored, which included the game-winning bucket with 2.8 seconds on the clock.
Perhaps it was symbolic of exactly what Jones is all about — a man of action. After all, it was the 6-foot-6 Allamerican candidate who hoisted Memphis (16-6, 5-4 AAC) on his shoulders when it was on the verge of legitimate implosion.
Because were it not for Jones dropping 26 points on the Shockers (including 16 in the last 7 minutes, 39 seconds of the game), a four-game losing streak would have stretched to five. It would have been the team’s second Quad 4 loss in a row. It almost certainly would have meant Memphis’ oncegleaming NCAA tournament at-large hopes were all but dead.
But none of that happened. Instead, thanks to Jones’ activation, the Tigers finally have something to smile about again. They have a little momentum as they get set for a trip to Temple (8-13, 1-7), one of the three worst teams in the league. And, maybe most importantly, they have hope.
Largely thanks to Jones.
“I just wanted to win the game, for real,” Jones said, smiling. “That’s all.”
When asked if his performance was because he was in the zone, he shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. “Regular,” he said.
Seated to Jones’ right was Jahvon Quinerly, who had a monster bucket in his own right late against Wichita State. The Tigers, who had trailed the entire game, had clawed back into it after being down 54-40 with 7:55 remaining. Down 62-60, Harlond Beverly blew a layup attempt with 58 seconds on the clock. Fourteen seconds after that, Quinerly drilled a 3-pointer — his only make of the game on 13 field goal attempts.
But as Jones picked up where Quinerly left off on the court, Quinerly grabbed the interview baton when Jones was ready to pass it off.
“That’s what he does,” Quinerly said. “We’ve seen it from him. I mean, it’s nothing different. He did it the last time we played (Wichita State, with 17 of his 19 points in the second half ). “It’s what he does.”
Coach Penny Hardaway is never surprised by Jones’ ability to turn up in clutch moments. As March approaches, he said the Tigers have spent more time in practice going over more situational drills.
“Down 10 with four minutes to go, down eight with three minutes to go,” he said. “David Jones has been doing really well in those little sessions.”
As much good work as Jones has done this season, especially offensively (his 21.8 points per game is top-five in the country), he has been somewhat mercurial this season — especially during the four-game losing streak — as issues like shot selection, turnovers and ball movement have fallen under the microscope. That, coupled with the team’s overall struggles, led to increasing criticism by fans and media alike. Jones said he hadn’t noticed.
“What noise?” he said. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Whether any of it ever actually registered with him, it did not affect his play Saturday. On top of the 26 points, he had six rebounds and three assists. Two of them came in succession midway through the first half. He fed Nae’qwan Tomlin in the low post, and the ensuing basket cut Wichita State’s early lead to 17-14. On the next possession, Jones found Tomlin again. Once Tomlin made the shot, Jones pumped his fist as he backpedaled down the court.
Jones also had three turnovers against Wichita State. But that will be largely forgotten because of his lategame heroics.
“He’s very special,” Hardaway said. Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.