Tigers thump the Jackrabbits

There is "no doubt" Memphis senior Jeremiah Martin can feel it.

After Memphis basketball staved off a pesky – and potentially potent -- midmajor darling Tuesday night at FedExForum, it further confirmed the senior's inclination.

Coach Penny Hardaway's Memphis Tigers are improving.

Martin knows it, Hardaway knows it, and the Tigers proved it in an encouraging 88-80 victory over South Dakota State, a team that's been to back-toback NCAA Tournaments and boasts one of the best offensive players in the nation.

"I feel like we're getting better every game," Martin said. "We've played a very tough schedule . ... That's helped us with our growth when playing better players and better teams."

Taking charge(s) early

Hardaway pointed out he was most pleased with the improvement in defensive positioning against SDSU.

Memphis drew three offensive fouls over a one-minute span in the first half that helped stretch its lead out to 10.

The third charge call came at the expense of Jackrabbits star Mike Daum, who was forced to sit for five minutes of the first half with foul trouble.

The South Dakota State mistakes helped fuel a 14-2 run for Hardaway's team beginning at the 14-minute mark, and Memphis outscored the Jackrabbits 10-6 with Daum on the bench.

"We were going at Mike Daum right away," Hardaway said. "To be able to take care of him and not let him get his average, we had to get him out of the game, and it worked. We planned to take charges on him and go at him in the post."

Hardaway said he was especially proud of 5-foot-10 guard Tyler Harris, who took three charges on his own.

Memphis' eight-point halftime advantage was the first time South Dakota State trailed heading into the second half this season.

Although the Tigers gave up 80 points, and South Dakota State sophomore David Jenkins scored a careerhigh 35, the Tigers forced SDSU into a season-high 23 turnovers and blocked six shots.

"We have to take advantage of every opportunity that we have," Hardaway said. "Isaiah (Maurice), he may not be a great charge taker, but he had the blocks tonight."

Martin out of the slump?

Tigers senior Jeremiah Martin broke out of his shooting slump Tuesday.

Martin scored just seven points in the Tigers' loss to Texas Tech Saturday in Miami, and said he wanted to shoulder some of the blame for Memphis' late-game struggles.

"I feel like when I get going the team will get going," Martin said after the loss.

That proved true against SDSU, when the senior dropped in a season-high 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting.

"'I was getting up shots this morning and coach Penny was in there working out," Martin said Tuesday. "Me and him had a conversation. So, he did challenge me. He said I work hard, but I need to work harder."

Martin also made an impact in other areas, grabbing five rebounds and dishing out four assists.

"That's one thing I'm trying to work on versus last year," Martin said. "I took a lot of tough shots, and I could have made better plays. I'm trying to get my assists up as well."

Memphis freshman Tyler Harris joined Martin with a team-high 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting.

Return of the zone

Memphis broke out its 2-3 zone for just the third time this season with 2:22 to play in the first half.

After the switch in style, the Tigers forced two turnovers, generated one steal and held South Dakota State to 2of-4 shooting before halftime.

"(Zone defense) is something we've been working on, not for a specific team, but just for us, in case our man (defense) isn't going well," freshman guard Alex Lomax said. "We're trying to perfect this 2-3 in a different way from other teams. When we do perfect it, I feel like it's going to be a very tough defense and people won't know what to do against it."

Hardaway hinted at the use of a zone defense in his press conference Monday.