R-E-B-O-U-N-D
The Tigers have done a nice job lately of holding teams to low shooting percentages. With the exception of hot-shooting Southern Miss on Saturday, Memphis had held five straight opponents to less than 40 percent shooting. They also lead Conference-USA in field goal percentage in conference games (.372). But with all those missed shots, it becomes imperative for Memphis to rebound.
Charlotte leads the conference in offensive rebounding, tearing down 14.7 per game. With that many extra shots, Charlotte doesn't have to shoot a percentage to win. If Memphis is going win this one on the road, they have to limit second chances and get a few of their own.Whoever rebounds will get more shots. And in a game that could come down to a couple of possessions, that could be the difference.
Move it or Lose it!
The Tigers are best on offense when they get in the lane. Witness Rodney Carney on Saturday at Southern Miss. When he settled for three pointers he went 0-7. Inside the arc, he shot 7-8 and got to the free throw line 11 times. But the three point shot isn't always the problem, it's the type of threes The U of M gets. With the athletes the Tigers play, they have the ability to penetrate, collapse the defense and kick the ball out. Charlotte is not a super shot blocking team (3.04, tied for ninth in C-USA).
Taking the ball to the rim puts pressure on a team to commit multiple players and often yields a lay-up or an open three a couple of passes later.
Of course, the Tigers have to be active off the ball.
Memphis struggles on offense when they stand around and wait for Carney, Jeremy Hunt or Washington to go it alone on offense. Five or six missed shots later, its timeout time for Calipari.
Value every possession
We all know how much Darius Washington Jr. has progressed in a matter of months, especially with decision-making. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Memphis has cut turnovers since their 10-9 start. After 19 games, they averaged 15.3 turnovers a game. In the seven games since, The U of M has gone over that number just twice -- including season lows (8 and 10) in their last two games.
In a game where shooting percentages are likely to be low, a few extra possessions and easy points off of turnovers are critical.
Charlotte is fourth in the league in steals and Memphis is just 1-2 against C-USA's three most efficient thieves. Coach Calipari is constantly imploring his team to be tougher with the ball. How well Memphis responds is key.
