The Memphis Tigers (3-2) defeated the Canisius Golden Griffins (1-4), 71-63, in a consolation-round of the Advocare Invitational. The Tigers took the lead early and never gave it up, but due to turnovers and missed opportunities by Memphis, the Griffins were able to keep the game close.
New Starting Five:
After the embarrassing 20 point loss to Oklahoma State (3-2) in the first round of the Advocare Invitational, Penny Hardaway told the media in Orlando that he would make adjustments to the starting lineup.
Against Canisius, Hardaway started forwards Raynere Thorton and Mike Parks Jr. over forwards Isaiah Maurice and Kyvon Davenport. Transitioning from a small-ball lineup to a traditional starting five. Hardaway said he wanted his team to attack first.
“I just felt like we needed energy and ‘Big Mike’ brings energy and ‘Ray’ brings energy,” Hardaway said to the media in Orlando. “We needed it from the beginning. We couldn’t wait. We have to punch first and that’s why I went with that decision.”
Davenport shines in new role:
Davenport did not start against Canisius, but came off the bench and he looked more comfortable doing so. Davenport led the Tigers with 16 points and 10 rebounds, securing his 10th career double-double. Hardaway said Davenport was energized and took advantage of his minutes played.
“Yeah absolutely, I mean we love Kyvon,” Hardaway said. “You know, but it’s about us moving forward and right now with him coming off the bench and playing like that we are moving forward. He’s maximizing his minutes.”
Hardaway goes on to say the level of production Davenport produced against Canisius is the type of play he wants to see out of him every game.
Tigers’ struggles:
Memphis shot 46 percent from the floor and out-rebounded Canisius 48 to 25. However, the Tigers struggled from beyond the arc connecting on 1-14, giving the Griffins the chance to keep the score close.
Canisius stole the ball nine times, leading to Memphis totaling 20 turnovers, against giving the Griffins more opportunities to stay in the game. Hardaway said he is going to take the reigns as coach to minimize the turnovers.
“That’s another part that I’m really going to have to take control of because I’m allowing them to play freely,” Hardaway said. “And sometimes playing freely you don’t take the best, you don’t make the best decision obviously and you make turnovers.”
Hardaway goes on to say the unforced turnovers are the most damaging ones and that it is something they will improve on as a team.
Seniors steal the show:
The seniors for Memphis totaled 45 points and had a collective 29 points against Canisius. Parks Jr. accounted for 14 of the seniors’ points, shooting 7-8 from the field and grabbing five rebounds. Parks Jr. said the seniors push each other and the younger to be better.
“We challenge everyone to play hard,” Parks Jr. said to the media in Orlando. “You know, it’s leadership, we all try to lead by example because we were here before, so knowing ins and outs. So we just try to lead and just go out there and play hard and we try to encourage our teammates to play hard.”
Looking ahead:
The Tigers will play either the Charleston Cougars (3-2) or the University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers (3-1) Sunday, depending on which team wins.
Mike Parks, Jr. goes up for a layup against Wichita State. Parks averaged 8.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game in the 2017-18 season.
