As Mikey Williams’ case heads to trial, the only holdover remaining for this Memphis roster this season is the NCAA’s waiver decision on DeAndre Williams. With the team nearly set in stone and official practice underway, it’s as good a time as ever to predict how Tiger players will perform during the 2023-24 season. That being said, here are our choices for this season’s awards and accolades.
Who Will Lead the Tigers in PPG?
Chris: This one is pretty easy for me. I’m going to go with the Louisiana transfer, Jordan Brown. The former McDonald’s All-American and Mid-Major Player of the Year will be a force to be reckoned with down low in the American this year. Combining this with the fact that Penny Hardaway historically uses his big men a lot and Brown’s impressively high efficiency around the rim, he should comfortably average 15+ PPG this season.
Wyatt: Without DeAndre Williams’ presence down low, Jordan Brown should see a high usage rate this season. From impressive footwork to good touch around the rim, the Louisiana transfer has the requisite skillset to lead Memphis in scoring. Expect Penny Hardaway to run the offense through his center and surround him with plenty of shooters on the perimeter.
Who Will Lead the Team in Assists?
Chris: Jahvon Quinerly. He is far and away the best playmaker on this team and arguably one of the best in the conference. Pairing that with Memphis’ offensive weapons, I expect JQ to lead the team in assists and set a career-high in APG with over five per game.
Wyatt: The ball will be in the hands of Alabama transfer Jahvon Quinerly a lot this season. During his career with the Crimson Tide, Quinerly’s role changed a lot. Penny Hardaway and Memphis will finally provide him stability for the first time. This season, he should function as the lead ball handler and play starter-level minutes. He’s shown some impressive playmaking ability in the past, and that won’t change this year for the Tigers.
Who Will Lead the Team in Rebounds?
Chris: I’m going to go with a less popular pick here. Barring a Deandre WIlliams return, Nick Jourdain will lead the team in rebounding. A box score will not justify this answer, but your eyes will. Nick Jourdain is a very high-motor player and one of the best athletes on the team. With this in mind, he will be very hard to keep off the floor, allowing him to lead the club in rebounds.
Wyatt: With the Ragin’ Cajuns last season, Jordan Brown was one of the nation’s premier double-double threats. Brown racked up ten double-doubles in 2022-23, including a dominant 26-point, 20-rebound performance against Marshall. Memphis’ center is a physical and imposing presence on the inside. With his effort on the glass and his 6’11, 225-pound frame, Brown should also lead the Tigers in rebounding.
Will Memphis win the AAC?
Chris: This one is challenging. While there’s no doubt Memphis has the most talented team in the conference, FAU certainly has a strong case for returning everybody from a Final Four team. However, I’ll roll with the Tigers here, capturing their second straight AAC crown.
Wyatt: My answer to this comes down to the NCAA’s decision on DeAndre Williams. If he’s available, my answer would be a resounding yes. However, with his waiver situation still in the air, I chose Florida Atlantic to win the AAC. The Owls reached the Final Four after beating Memphis last season and were one of the few teams in the nation not to lose a player to the transfer portal. With FAU returning all five starters, they have the talent, experience, and chemistry to take down a Tigers squad with plenty of new pieces.
Will the Tigers reach the Sweet 16?
Chris: Man, this is significantly tougher to predict. So many things go into reaching the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament, and a lot of it is impossible to forecast. But I would say no if I had to pick one way or another today. This team has too much uncertainty to predict a second-weekend appearance right now, especially with Williams’ waiver debacle.
Wyatt: Like Chris said, it’s nearly impossible to decide on this, considering the volatile nature of the NCAA Tournament. However, at this moment, I’d have to say no. In March, guards reign supreme. While Memphis has two solid players in their backcourt in Jahvon Quinerly and Caleb Mills, neither will come close to matching the production that Kendric Davis gave the Tigers last season. And while the duo doesn’t have to do so for this team to be successful, I won’t be surprised if Memphis’ lack of a star guard is their downfall come March. If Jahvon Quinerly reaches his ceiling, however, my answer could change. He has the potential to put up numbers for Memphis and has shown the ability in the past to step up during big-time moments.
Who will be the MVP of this team?
Chris: Jahvon Quinerly. How far this team goes is very dependent on how good JQ is. Furthermore, if he shines this year, he’ll lead Memphis to a successful season.
Wyatt: I’ll go with Jaykwon Walton here. I love what this guy brings to the team. The Wichita State transfer is looking to capitalize off a successful season with the Shockers. In 2022-23, he averaged 13.9 PPG on 53.5% shooting from the field and 40.0% shooting from beyond the arc. These numbers made Walton one of the nation’s best shooters last season, and he should come into the AAC as one of the conference’s premier snipers. The senior’s shooting and versatility on the wing will be crucial for Memphis to go where they want to go in the 2023-24 season.
