Unpacking Penny Hardaway's Memphis basketball win over Stanford in Orlando – Industrial Attraction
ORLANDO, Fla. ― Kendric Davis tried to string the needle.
Initially, it appeared the Memphis basketball star’s move, supposed for DeAndre Williams, was destined to grow to be a turnover. As a substitute, Williams lunged for the skipping ball, gathered and made a layup with 1:33 left in opposition to a scrappy Stanford group.
The basket put the Tigers up by six and propelled them to a 56-48 victory within the fifth-place sport on the ESPN Occasions Invitational at State Farm Area Home. Memphis (4-2) acquired 14 factors from Davis, 12 from Williams (7 rebounds, 6 assists) and 12 from Alex Lomax (4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals). Chandler Lawson offered eight factors and eight rebounds.
A jolt from Keonte Kennedy
It would make sense {that a} sport between Memphis and Stanford in Orlando that tipped off at 11 a.m. on a Sunday can be somewhat brief on power. And it was.
Till Keonte Kennedy delivered an poster-worthy dunk that woke everybody up.
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The Tigers trailed 14-11, and there had solely been one basket between each groups over the earlier 3:10. That’s when Williams calmly handed the ball to Kennedy, who knifed via the lane and threw down a one-handed dunk that was replayed quite a few occasions on the tv broadcast.
A couple of minutes later, Kennedy sank a 3-pointer, giving Memphis a pair of highlights throughout a 15-0 run that put the Tigers up 24-14. Kennedy completed with six factors.
No main scorer?
Davis, who completed 5-of-18 taking pictures, wasn’t the one main scorer who had a tricky day.
Michael Jones, a Davidson switch, got here into the sport because the Cardinal’s high scoring choice at 12.0 factors per sport. However in opposition to Memphis, he was shut out. Jones was 0-for-7 from the sector (all from past the 3-point arc).
Stanford’s size
The Tigers’ measurement – or lack thereof – was a priority coming into the season, particularly within the backcourt the place a pair of undersized guards (Davis and Lomax) get the vast majority of minutes.
But it surely hasn’t been a lot of an issue early this season. On Sunday, although, Memphis, which ranks 255th within the nation in common peak, went up in opposition to an opponent with extra size than any it has seen thus far.
Stanford is fifth within the nation with a median peak of practically 6-foot-7. The Cardinal, which confirmed off energetic palms on protection, was particularly efficient in opposition to Davis. Within the first half, the Tigers’ main scorer was held to 2 factors on 1-of-9 taking pictures (together with 0-for-4 from 3-point vary).
Paint dominance
Oddly sufficient, the Cardinal’s measurement benefit didn’t translate within the paint on offense.
Memphis dominated down low, scoring 22 factors contained in the lane. The Tigers had been in a position to neutralize Stanford within the paint.
The Tigers ended the sport with a 28-12 benefit within the paint.
Strive, attempt once more from deep
Talking of Stanford’s measurement benefit, the Cardinal appeared decided to reap the benefits of it on offense as nicely – particularly alongside the perimeter. Apparently a sound technique contemplating Memphis opponents had been taking pictures 33.6% from there this season.
Stanford, regardless of being one of many worst 3-point taking pictures groups within the nation, had been resolute within the face of repeated failure, making an attempt 19 3-pointers within the first half alone, hitting solely 4.
The Cardinal closed sturdy to complete 10-for-33.
Attain sports activities author Jason Munz at [email protected] or on Twitter @munzly.
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