It’s already a challenge for Memphis basketball this season by missing several opportunities for resume wins and losing big to UNLV.
As a result, coach Penny Hardaway has had to get tough with the Tigers (3-4).
“We’re trying to get a consistent group of young men to understand that it’s all-out every single possession. That’s the bar we’ve given them,” he said after beating New Orleans 86-70 on Dec. 3.
“Whether that’s realistic or not, that’s what we’re pushing for to get out of this hole. Because we’ve dug ourselves a hole.”
Memphis has a chance to climb out of it and put itself back in the March Madness at-large conversation starting Dec. 6 (3:30 p.m., CBS), when it hosts Baylor (6-1) in the first of a new four-year, home-and-home series. That matchup marks the beginning of four straight games versus power conference teams, including a road date with No. 6 Louisville (Dec. 13), a home contest against No. 16 Vanderbilt (Dec. 17), then another away meeting at Mississippi State (Dec. 20).
Hardaway believes the Tigers trending in the right direction and can win all four, even if few others do.
“I think guys are starting to understand that the time is now,” he said. “That we have to stay locked in on gameplan discipline, personnel of the other team, and understanding what makes us great offensively. If we stick with that – and rebounding the ball at a high level – we should put ourselves in a good position for an at-large.”
Here are three things we’re thinking about ahead of tip-off against Baylor.
New-old offense yields efficiency spike for Quante Berry
Dug McDaniel is Memphis’ catalyst, its leader and its most consistent offensive producer.
But he’s got a deep supporting cast. Besides McDaniel (14.3 points per game), the Tigers have six players averaging 7 points or better. That includes Quante Berry, scoring 7.9 per game in 15.9 minutes a game.
Berry has been especially good – and exceptionally efficient – in his past two games. He averaged 12.5 points in wins over Southern Illinois and New Orleans, while shooting 83.3% from the field (10-of-12), including 5 for 6 from the 3-point line. In his first five games, Berry was 10-of-21 and 5 for 15 beyond the arc.
Hardaway recently reverted to an offensive scheme he hasn’t employed in a while. Berry credits his uptick to that change.
“For whatever reason, I started allowing guys to do a bunch of ball screens and playing with freedom, and it never works,” said Hardaway. “I’ve ended up going back to the bread and butter of what we really should be doing. That gets the ball from the strong side to the weak side and back to the strong side.”
Memphis basketball injury update
A recent injury bug infestation has caught up with the Tigers.
Starting guard Curtis Givens III (thigh) has missed the last two games, and starting forward Ashton Hardaway (knee) sat out against New Orleans. Then, against the Privateers, Julius Thedford appeared to hyperextend his right knee late in the first half and did not return to the game.
None are certain to play against Baylor, although it’s expected at least Ashton Hardaway will be back on the floor.
Baylor basketball scouting report
Cameron Carr, a top-10 scorer in the country with 23.0 points per game, has been leading the offense for the Bears.
The Tennessee transfer, a 6-foot-5 guard, is shooting 50% from 3-point range (on 36 attempts), helping Baylor rank in the top 10 in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency.
But Carr has had help. Freshman guard Tounde Yessoufou is putting up 17.1 points per game, while Dan Skillings Jr., a Cincinnati transfer, is scoring 11.6 per game while also leading the Bears in rebounding (7.6).
Baylor coach Scott Drew – who has one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the country – keeps his rotation tight. Seven players average 20 minutes or more per game, but no one else averages more than 6.5.
The Bears’ best win so far this season is Washington, which ranked 88th in the NCAA’s NET rankings as of Dec. 4. Their only loss came against No. 22 St. John’s (18th in the NET).
“They’ll put you to the test, because everything you’re not good at, that’s what they’ll try to force you into,” Hardaway said. “(But) we’re at home, we’ll be prepared. I have all the confidence that our guys understand the magnitude of this game.”
Memphis basketball score prediction vs. Baylor
Memphis 81, Baylor 80: Penny Hardaway says the Tigers will be prepared for the Bears. We believe him.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com, follow him @munzly on X.
