The Memphis Tigers basketball team has struggled with frontcourt depth in the past, but this upcoming season could be coach Josh Pastner’s deepest and most talented frontcourt yet.
Headlining the Tigers’ frontcourt in 2016 are forwards junior Austin Nichols and senior Shaq Goodwin.
Last season, Memphis relied heavily on Nichols. His usage rate of 24.6 percent led the team and averaged 13.3 points per game on 11.3 field goal attempts.
The Tigers may not rely on Nichols as much next season, but if last season is any indication he is capable of anchoring Memphis on both ends of the floor. The Blue and Gray defense relied heavily on his shot blocking ability as he led the team with 3.4 blocks per game.
Goodwin, however, had an up-and-down junior campaign after his breakout sophomore season. His struggles were evident at the beginning of the season. The Tigers needed a solid frontcourt presence next to Nichols, and Goodwin didn’t produce in the early stages of the season.
The junior forward improved as 2015 went along though. He turned around his season after a scoreless performance against then no. 3 ranked Gonzaga. The forward posted double figures in seven of 11 of the Tigers final games. In addition, his defense improved as he recorded at least one block in eight of his last 11 games.
In 2016, Goodwin may not be relied on as much as he was in the past. The additions of two key recruits and the continued production from Nichols and Trahson Burrell may shrink Goodwin’s role.
Burrell, a former JUCO forward, showed potential in his first season as a Memphis Tiger. His smooth scoring ability and relentless rebounding led some to compare him to former Tiger ,Will Barton. His 5.2 rebounds per game was third on the team and the most of any player on the wing.
Burrell struggled at times during the season, even being suspended one game, but he exceled at the end. He was a key player after Nichols went down with an ankle injury at the end of the season. The junior forward scored in double in two of his last three games.
Next season, Burrell could see an uptick in minutes and his production should go up. The talented forward has now experienced the rigors of a season and should be better prepared.
Memphis won’t only be relying on returning players next year. Pastner has a stellar recruiting class coming in that could boost Memphis back into the NCAA Tournament. The two Lawson brothers out of Hamilton High School are the jewels of the Tigers recruiting class.
K.J. Lawson is a 6-foot-7, 200-pound small forward is ranked 44th in the ESPN Top 100. He is great at slashing to the basket and is a relentless rebounder both of which the Tigers lacked. The top 100 recruit has stunning athleticism that makes him an electric player to watch.
The incoming freshman isn’t without flaws, though. He isn’t a great shooter from the outside. The Tigers struggled from deep last season and need K.J. to improve coming into the season.
The best prospect in the Tigers class is Dedric Lawson. He is a 6-foot-8, 195-pound power forward ranked 27th in ESPN Top 100. Dedric is an interesting prospect for Pastner. He could be more of a stretch forward than the post player that Nichols. The Hamilton product’s skinny frame discourages banging down low, but he is still a great rebounder.
Dedric has the potential to be a draft pick after next season, but he has some areas to improve. He is skinny for a 6-foot-8 power forward and he could be a defensive liability at the next level. Despite this he will be a big contributor next season.
The Tigers are looking to return to the NCAA Tournament next season and they could do so behind their promising frontcourt.
Shaq Goodwin, a senior next season, finished 2015 in on a high-note. He scored in double-digits in seven of his last 11 games, and had eight straight games with at least one block. Photo by David Minkin
