Opposition Report: Memphis Tigers
Saturday, February 15, 12 p.m. EST
Record
OVERALL: 19-5
CONFERENCE: 8-3
HOME: 12-2
ROAD: 4-2
NEUTRAL: 3-1
Offense: 1.1 points per possession (68th)
Defense: .96 points allowed per possession (43rd)
Memphis average possession: 15.8 seconds (18th fastest)
UConn average possession: 18 seconds (180th)
— Memphis forces 16 turnovers per game; UConn committing 11 turnovers per game.
22.4% turnover percentage, 14th best in country.
UConn
Point Distribution: 49% 2-Pointers | 29% 3-Pointers | 22% Free Throws
Shot Attempt Distribution: 55% Jump Shots | 33% Around Basket | 6% Post-Ups | 6% Runner
83% Half Court; 17% Transition
98% man defense; 2% zone
Memphis
Point Distribution: 59% 2-Pointers | 20% 3-Pointers | 21% Free Throws
Shot Attempt Distribution: 43% Jump Shots | 40% Around Basket | 11% Post-Ups | 6% Runner
76% Half-Court; 24% Transition
91% man defense; 9% zone
THE OPPONENT
Memphis enters this game coming off a home win vs. Central Florida and going 7-1 since playing UConn. Memphis will only want to play 8 guys and cannot afford for their main guys to get in foul trouble. They have one of the fastest tempos (55th) and shortest average possessions (18th) in the country. Stacked with quick guards and explosive forwards, Memphis wants to get in transition for easy dunks and rhythm 3-pointers. They immediately start the break following a missed shot or turnover (14th best turnover% in country).
Point guard Joe Jackson is Memphis’ primary play starter. He is a gifted playmaker capable of scoring and distributing, and he sets the tempo for them. On the wings are seniors Chris Crawford and Geron Johnson; Crawford is a knockdown 3-point shooter, while Johnson is one of the most explosive drivers in the conference. On the interior are Shaq Goodwin and Austin Nichols. Goodwin is mobile and explosive in the open court, with great activity on the glass. Nichols is effective on the block—he establishes good post position, and is efficient at the basket. Overall, though, Memphis is shooting only 33% from 3-point. Most of their baskets come around the basket or in transition, looking to push the tempo. Only Crawford and Michael Dixon Jr are reliable shooters.
Defensively, Memphis plays a trapping full-court press, as well as mixing man and zone schemes. UConn is a better all-around team, but if they are not careful with the ball, Memphis can run away with the game. UConn’s must control the tempo on offense, and get back on defense to prevent easy buckets in transition.
KEYS TO WIN
— Be disciplined on offense and defense! (Memphis’ 22.4% turnover percentage is 14th best in country)
— Can’t over help on Joe Jackson; trap his pick and rolls
— Close out on Chris Crawford (shooting 40% from 3, be there on catch!)
— Close out driving lanes (they have powerful drivers)
— Attack offensive glass
— No 2nd chances on offense for them; Goodwin, Johnson and Nick King are tenacious on the glass
— Can’t give them easy points in transition; can’t allow them free buckets off turnovers and bad shots
STARTERS/RESERVES:
PG — Joe Jackson (6-1)
SG — Chris Crawford (6-4)
SF — Geron Johnson (6-3)
PF — Shaq Goodwin (6-8)
C — Austin Nichols (6-10)
Reserves
G — Michael Dixon Jr (6-1)
F — Nick King (6-7,)
F — David Pellom (6-7)
—
STARTERS
Joe Jackson (SR) — 14.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 4.5 APG, 2 SPG
PG, 6-1, 175
— Athletic point guard that pushes the tempo and can finish in transition
— Runs a lot of pick and roll (finds crease then attacks; pulls-up 50% of time, penetrates 37% of time)
— Excellent anticipation and length on defense (3.5% steal percentage; 89th nationally)
— Solid mid-range game (42%)
— Capable but not consistent from 3-point (30%)
Strengths
Transition (fast and explosive)
Pick and Roll
Pick and Roll Pull-Up Jumper (50% of the time)
Pick and Roll Penetration (37% of the time)
Court Vision
Strong Driver in Either Direction
Right
Left
Mid-Range Jumper
Vulnerable
3-Point Misses
Chris Crawford (SR) — 9 PPG, 4 RPG, 3 APG
SG, 6-4, 220
— 3pt shooter! 131 of 184 shots are 3′s, shooting 40% from 3. Be there on catch
— Better catch and shoot (68% of attempts; shooting 43%)
— Struggles shooting off the dribble (11% of attempts; shooting 14%)
— Only 12% of shots in the paint; capable finisher but mostly a shooter
Strengths
Catch and Shoot
Vulnerable
Off the Dribble
Around the Basket (16 attempts)
Geron Johnson (SR) — 9 PPG, 5 RPG, 4 APG
SF, 6-3, 210
— Explosive finisher with strong frame
— Active on offensive glass; must put a body on him
— Shooting 58% around the basket; shooting 26% on jump shots
— Good handle to get in the lane
Strengths
Explosive Finisher
Activity and Energy
Vulnerable
Poor Shooting
Austin Nichols (FR) — 8 PPG, 4 RPG, 1 BPG
PF, 6-8, 210
— Mobile big man who runs the floor and finishes at the rim
— Establishes post position. Seals defender very well.
— 90% of attempts around the basket, shooting 55% there
— Keeps the ball high in the post; good hook shot; sound footwork
— Improving rapidly; bound for a breakout game soon
Strengths
Posting Up
Video: 18 points vs. Rutgers (8-9 FG)
Vulnerable
Limited range
Shaquille Goodwin (SO) — 12.5 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.7 BPG
PF, 6-9, 240
— Explosive forward who can play in high or low post
— 90% of shot attempts are in the paint
— Mobile in transition; can run the wings or trail behind
— Improving shooter out to 12-feet
— Tenacious for put-backs and hustle plays
— Alley-oop target in half court
Strengths
Put-Backs
Transition (explosive)
Explosive in transition… runs right wing most of the time … bouncy, runs the floor.
Cutting
Around the Basket (tenacity and second effort)
Vulnerable
Pick and Pop Struggles
RESERVES
Michael Dixon Jr (SR) — 11.5 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 2.5 APG
G, 6-1, 200
— Shooter! 70% of attempts are jump shots
— 43% on all jump shots; capable from 3 (38%)
— Can shoot with feet set or off the dribble
— Graduate transfer from Missouri
Strengths
Shooting
Nick King (FR) — 5 PPG, 3.3 RPG
F, 6-7, 220
— Slasher who scores on drop offs, angles, and put-backs
— Can’t let him outwork you, not super skilled
— Not a shooter; good finishing in paint
— 32% of attempts are cuts (converting 60% of cuts)
— Good length to contest shots (opponents shooting 24% on jumpers)
Strengths
Finishing/Cutting
Crashing Boards
Contesting Jumpshots (length)
Vulnerable
Poor Jumpshot
David Pellom (SR) — 5 PPG, 3.5 RPG
F, 6-7, 225
— Athletic post player (96% of shots in paint)
— Active on offensive glass
— Another high-energy athlete, can’t let him outwork you
— 39% of attempts are cuts (converting 71% of cuts)
Strengths
Cutting/Around the Basket (96% of attempts)
Offensive Rebounds