Tigers’ next hurdle is to ‘play all-out’
Penny Hardaway has pointed it out. So, too, has Deandre Williams and other members of the Memphis basketball program who remember what things were like before. What things were like last season – and the one before that and the one before that – when the product on the court too often suffered because of off-the-court issues. When the Tigers were prone to mental or physical lapses that were just as inexplicable as they were damaging. When the highs, as high as they may have been, weren’t as easy to enjoy because you never knew when the other shoe was going to drop.
The Tigers, now sitting at 5-2 after Wednesday’s 87-68 win over North Alabama (4-4) at Fedexforum, still nod in agreement when someone brings up the fact that there’s an overtly different aura about them. Especially this early in the season.
“Yeah, they’re definitely taking on my personality as quick as any team that I’ve had in the past,” said Hardaway, now in his fifth season as coach of the Tigers.
His previous teams have always seemed to eventually iron out the kinks, most notably the past two seasons when Memphis finished 14-3 and 13-3, respectively, en route to an NIT Championship and a second-round NCAA Tournament appearance.
So, if these Tigers never had to worry about crossing the same early season hurdle that tripped them in years past, what then will Hardaway hone in on as the team gets set to tackle what may be the toughest stretch of the schedule?
“I think the next hurdle is for (every player), one through 13, to play all-out every possession,” Hardaway said. “To give it your all. To be desperate. To act as if we’re playing for something every possession.”
Hardaway didn’t cite any specific examples, but he said he has noticed some instances of players taking plays off, and the proof is evident in some of the final scores. Memphis’ two losses this season have come by a combined seven points. It dropped a 90-84 decision at Saint Louis, then fell 70-69 last week in a neutral-site game against Seton Hall.
Transfer guard Elijah Mccadden, who had his best game in a Memphis uniform since the season opener with eight points and two rebounds Wednesday, didn’t need to be told what Hardaway said about the item currently atop his agenda. He already knew.
“Everybody’s going to play us tough just because of who we are,” said Mccadden. “We can’t take plays off. And we’ve got to give multiple efforts every possession.”
Defense, in particular, is where the Tigers are lacking in the max effort department, according to Hardaway. He said it manifested itself in North Alabama’s ability to get to the basket and score.
“I want it to get to a point where every guy understands that every possession could hurt us,” he said. “You know, if we give up straight-line drives. We give up way too many straight-line drives, because I feel like
guys feel like they can rest when the ball isn’t, you know, in their area. I know how it’s supposed to look and I Just want the guys, one through 13, every possession, to give it their all. “That’s my next goal with this team.” Getting that addressed and remedied would be a big help given what the next couple of weeks could mean for the Tigers. Four of their next five games – starting with Saturday’s game against Ole Miss (6-1 and ranked No. 51 by Kenpom) – are against SEC opponents. Two of them – Auburn and Alabama,
both away from Fedexforum – are both ranked inside the top 15 of this week’s Associated Press poll.
Ole Miss (6-1) was part of the field, along with Memphis, at the ESPN Events Invitational last week in Orlando, Florida. The Rebels fell to Oklahoma in the championship game. Hardaway said he watched all three of Ole Miss’ games, giving him a good idea of what to expect.
“I see a well coached team that’s very hungry,” said Hardaway. “The entire team looks hungry. Looks like they really want to win and it’s going to be a very tough game.”
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.