Dajuan Wagner scored 32 points in Memphis’ 91-66 victoryover Old Dominion Wednesday night in the second round of theGuardians Classic, but the 13,133 in attendance still haven’tseen his A-game yet.
Wagner shot 10-of-21 from the field, including two fromthree-point range. He also scored the first nine points of thesecond half for the No. 12 Tigers, quite an improvement fromTuesday’s 6-of-17 from the field against Wofford.
“I got my first two college games out of the way so Ishould be straight now,” Wagner said.
“I played my same game, I just made more shots. I’mstill getting to the hole, but I’m not making my jumpshots.Just imagine if I’m on.”
Memphis now moves on to play in the semifinals held at KemperArena in Kansas City, Mo., where they’ll meet No. 9 Iowa,which was a 90-61 winner over Boston University Wednesday.
Tournament play resumes for Memphis Tuesday, but the Tigers willmeet Northwestern State Sunday at 7 p.m. at The Pyramid.
Wagner was named Regional MVP after two rounds and forward KellyWise was named Regional Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
Wise finished the contest with 11 rebounds, but had only twopoints on 1-of-2 shooting after not attempting a field goal in thefirst half.
Tiger coach John Calipari said he was pleased with Wise’sperformance and likes that no one player has to carry the scoringload.
“I didn’t know that he didn’t have any shotattempts (in the first half),” Calipari said. “In thesecond half he gets more touches and he gets threeassists.”
Putting points on the board wasn’t an issue for Memphis orMr. Reliable, Scooter McFadgon. The sophomore guard went 5-of-6from three-point land and finished with 17 points on the night.
Calipari sang McFadgon’s praises, commenting on his steadyplay after the game.
“All year last year I told people how vital (McFadgon)was,” Calipari said. “He needs to be on the floor and hemay be our best perimeter defender.”
Old Dominion coach Blaine Taylor credited McFadgon’s playas the difference in the contest.
“I think a lot of people talk about Dajuan,” Taylorsaid. “A lot of people talk about Kelly Wise and a lot ofpeople talk about Chris Massie, but (McFadgon) was a problem for ustonight.
“It’s rare that you would have as many marquee playersas they have on one team.”
McFadgon said he knows he’ll get a lot of looks by simplybeing on the floor with a team with so many options on offense.
“Last year was different,” McFadgon said. “Wedidn’t have anyone like Dajuan Wagner or Chris Massie. It wasjust Kelly.
“This team has so many options. All I have to do is justmake open shots whenever they double.”
Massie finished with 11 points and five rebounds. He, McFadgonand Wagner have been in double figures in both of the Tigers’first two games. The scary part is the Tigers aren’t playingtheir best basketball yet.
Wagner said he is still adjusting to the college game andsophomore guard Antonio Burks, who has a 3-to-1 assist-to-turnoverratio after two games, is also new to Calipari’s program.
