ROUNDBALL DAILY

Memphis Tigers: NCAA Tournament Profile

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6-8 Shaq Goodwin could be the key to Memphis’ tourney hopes. (Mark Weber/The Commercial Appeal)

Memphis Tigers (23-9, 12-6 American)-The Tigers adjusted well to their first season in the AAC, sweeping league champion Louisville and earning impressive non-conference wins over Gonzaga and Oklahoma State. But there were some rocky times too. Memphis was swept in three games by UConn, including an embarassing 72-53 defeat on their home floor in the conference tournament. The Tigers were also swept by Cincinnati and were blasted on the road at SMU.

Memphis has plenty of talent, especially in the backcourt with speedy senior Joe Jackson (14.3 ppg, 4.5 apg) and Missouri transfer Michael Dixon Jr. (11.8 ppg, 2.4 apg).  Sophomore big man Shaq Goodwin (11.8 ppg) is a legitimate threat down low but should be a better rebounder than he is at just 6.6 rpg. Athletic wings Geron Johnson (8.9 ppg) and Chris Crawford (8.9 ppg) both have the potential to take over games but have been too inconsistent. Crawford is a big-shot maker and could take the final shot for Memphis if it comes down to that.

The Tigers try to out-run teams and have the talent to do so, but failings on the defensive end and a lack of offensive cohesiveness will probably end their tournament run before the Sweet 16.

KEY STATS:

3rd Assists per Game (17.4)

35th Points per Game  (77.6)

22nd Field Goal Percentage (.479)

8th Steals per Game (8.7)

 

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