DEFENSIVE POSTURE

■ Samford likes to launch it deep

The U of M Tigers hope to see stouter play on the perimeter against Samford, yet another foe that likes the 3-ball.

University of Memphis coach Josh Pastner is trying to be more patient. He really is.

But each time one of the Tigers gives up a 3-pointer, it’s like a piece of Pastner dies, which explains why the fourth-year coach has been so quick to pull players when they don’t defend the perimeter.

“It drives me up the wall. I understand teams are going to shoot some and they’re going to hit some, but it adds an undue amount of stress every time a kid hits a 3 against us,” Pastner said.

“I have a quick hook when guys give up 3s, but I’m trying to do a little better about that. I’ll let them (stay in the game) depending on who (it is) and how they’re playing overall, you know?”

After giving up a combined 21 3-pointers in an exhibition win over Christian Brothers University last week and a seasonopening victory over North Florida on Monday, the No. 17-ranked Tigers (1- 0) take on another team Saturday at FedExForum that likes to put it up from deep often in Samford (1-2).

It’s a chance for Memphis to sharpen its perimeter defense before it travels to the Bahamas next week to participate in a loaded Battle

4 Atlantis tournament that includes four other teams that made last year’s NCAA tournament.

“We’ve gotta play better defense and rebound the ball better,” junior guard Joe Jackson said. “I didn’t feel like the year had started the last game because they made too many 3s. Like, in the middle of the season, that’s when we start following the scouting report better. When we get games under our belt it’s easier.”

Samford, under first year head coach and former Indiana assistant Bennie Seltzer, has attempted 67 3-pointers in its first three games. The Bulldogs are coming off an 80-54 road loss at No. 2 Louisville on Thursday in which they made 9 of 20 3-pointers.

Samford trailed 42-13 at the half but outscored Louisville 41-38 after the break.

“We’ve got to come out with great energy for 40 minutes,” Pastner said. “We’ve got to be ready to come with our A-game and make sure we continue to get better every time we’re on the floor.”

Senior forward Ferrakohn Hall said the Tigers aren’t looking past Samford and ahead to next Thursday’s Battle 4 Atlantis opener against VCU.

“We know they’ve got up to four good shooters on the court the whole time,” Hall said of Samford. “It will be another good test for us to come out and have to guard those guys on the perimeter.

“Last year, we did a lot of looking forward. We looked forward through the tournament. We looked forward through conference play. This year, it’s a new year. We’d rather look at the game that’s right ahead of us.”