Memphis Tigers
2018-2019 Overall Rank: #81
Conference Rank: #6 American
Memphis parted ways with Tubby Smith after just two seasons. And the Tigers had a successful campaign in 2017-2018, winning 21 games. The Tigers replaced Smith with former Memphis superstar Penny Hardaway. The top four scorers are back and that is a great place for Coach Hardaway to start. It remains to be seen how the future of this program will go with Hardaway leading the way, but for now this is a Memphis team that should be a contender in the American Athletic Conference.
2017-18 Record: 21-13, 10-8
2017-18 Postseason: None
Coach: Penny Hardaway
Coach Record: 0-0 at Memphis, 0-0 overall
Key Departed Players:
Jamal Johnson, Guard, 6.9 ppg
Jimario Rivers, Forward, 6.9 ppg
David Nickelberry, Guard, 2.8 ppg
Malik Rhodes, Guard, 2.5 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Jeremiah Martin, Senior, Guard, 18.9 ppg
Kyvon Davenport, Senior, Forward, 13.3 ppg
Mike Parks Jr, Senior, Forward, 8.1 ppg
Kareem Brewton Jr, Senior, Guard, 9.1 ppg
Raynere Thornton, Senior, Guard/Forward, 5.4 ppg
Victor Enoh, Sophomore, Forward, 1.6 ppg
Karim Sameh Azab, Junior, Forward, 1.0 ppg
Evin Olds, Sophomore, Guard
Key New Players:
Jayden Hardaway, Freshman, Guard
Tyler Harris, Freshman, Guard
Antwann Jones, Freshman, Guard
Alex Lomax, Freshman, Guard
Isaiah Maurice, Junior, Forward, JC Transfer
David Wingett, Freshman, Guard/Forward
Lance Thomas, Sophomore, Forward, Transfer from Louisville, not eligible
Projection:
Jeremiah Martin had an amazing junior campaign, averaging 18.9 points, 3.8 assists and 4.3 rebounds. He is back to do it again. The 6-3 guard is not the most consistent shooter around, but he can obviously do a ton of scoring. Martin did lead the team with 51 three-pointers, but connected on just 32.7 percent of his attempts from long range. If he can be more consistent shooting the ball, there may not be any defender who can contain him. Kareem Brewton and wing Raynere Thornton are seniors who will add experience to the backcourt. The frontcourt returns Kyvon Davenport and Mike Parks. Davenport averaged 13.3 points and a team high 6.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. The 6-8 senior is a dynamic scorer who can score in the paint and step outside and knock down some shots. Junior college transfer Isaiah Maurice adds some depth to the frontcourt. But the best of the newcomers are freshmen. Coach Hardaway brings in a five man freshman class, highlighted by guards Tyler Harris, Antwann Jones and Alex Lomax.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NIT
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 70.8 (252nd in nation, 6th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 71.2 (145, 8)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.2 (149, 3)
Field-Goal Defense: 43.2 (132, 7)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.9 (316, 11)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 31.7 (330, 11)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.0 (265, 8)
Rebound Margin: 1.6 (129, 5)
Assists Per Game: 13.0 (218, 6)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.7 (257, 10)
Madness 2018 Men’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#102 Tyler Harris
#124 Antwann Jones
#146 Alex Lomax
