The Memphis Tigers men’s basketball team is currently wrestling with another humiliating loss. This time, it came at the hands of UAB, extending their losing streak to three games.
The Tigers found themselves down by 15 points in the second half, ultimately losing 97-88. Malcolm Dandridge was the lone bright spot for the Tigers, dominating the offensive side of the ball with 19 points. UAB had no answer for him defensively.
Memphis’ effort looked poor today, as the same issues continue to plague them. Where does Memphis go from here?
Tigers Shoot Themselves in the Foot
Memphis had 22 turnovers in the game, with UAB scoring 26 points off of those turnovers. A good amount of those turnovers were unforced errors, whether they be late passes off of cuts or dribbling into multiple defenders. Additionally, the Tigers allowed 16 offensive rebounds to UAB, an issue that Memphis fans know all too well this season.
The same issues continue to plague this team. Yet, as I dive through the film, it appears that the coaching staff has made zero adjustments. In the postgame presser, Penny ensured that he “gave the team everything they need to be successful,” rather “it’s on the players” to lock in and follow the gameplan.
Erasing Early-Season Success
This unexpected downturn follows a promising non-conference slate where the team showcased impressive performances. However, their recent struggles have raised questions about the team’s chemistry and chances of making a run in the tournament. Memphis entered conference play 11-2 and ranked #15 in the country. Now, they are unranked and appear to be close to the bubble, seemingly erasing the success that the Tigers earned in their tough nonconference slate.
With three consecutive losses, Memphis is teetering on the verge of a potential collapse. The team’s inability to secure victories against seemingly inferior opponents raises some serious concerns. The Tigers must address the root causes of their recent struggles to avoid further setbacks that could derail their season. The chemistry issues in the locker room seem to be serious, and one can only question if Penny’s decision to bring Jordan Brown back into the locker room after he quit on his teammates was a major contributor.
What’s Next?
Memphis comes back home, looking to bounce back against an inferior opponent in Rice. Will the Tigers play down to their level of competition again or will they win convincingly? Memphis should win this game by 20-plus points, but with how they’re playing as of late, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s another close game.
