Tigers
play.
Combine the offensive rebounds that Hardaway previously noted with turnovers, and Memphis has allowed opponents to attempt for 39 more shots than the Tigers over the last two games.
Of the 162 points Hardaway's team has surrendered in its last two contests, 78 have come off turnovers or secondchance opportunities.
The Tigers could also be without their fourth-best rebounder Sunday, Alex Lomax, who left Thursday's game with a head injury and did not return. But there's good news for Memphis. While those statistics might be discouraging, Tulane is one of the worst rebounding teams in the AAC.
The Green Wave ranks 285th in the nation in rebound margin, and last in the AAC in that category. That's not exactly ideal for Dunleavy's team, especially when considering Tulane ranks third in the country in average height.
But Hardaway won't be blinded by the numbers or Tulane's 4-11 record.
"I'm never going to take a team for granted," he said. "I've been watching Tulane since the beginning of the season . ... Their record doesn't indicate how well they are going to play, especially at home."
Three of Tulane's four wins this season have come at home, and Hardaway insists that Green Wave plays hard in its own building despite the small attendance numbers.
The first-year Tigers coach is determined to make sure his group does not get outworked for the third game in a row against a team that, on paper, it should dominate.
"We have to go into this game and play tough," Hardaway said. "It's not about Xs and Os. It's not about who starts or who doesn't start . ... Whatever time you're on the floor, it's all-out."