Golden Hurricane too much for Tigers
Today Penny Hardaway and the University of Memphis agreed to extend his contract for five years for $12.25 Million.
Tonight Coach Hardaway needs to reassure everyone that the University made a wise decision.
Penny’s Tigers were looking to stay undefeated in conference play in the teams first game after announcing his contract extension. In his press conference yesterday, Coach Hardaway stated that Deandre Williams would be inserted into the starting lineup. Williams has been an instant spark for the Tigers on both ends of the court.
Memphis maintained the lead most of the game. Tulsa scored the first four points of the game. Once Memphis tied the game at 6 a piece, The Jayden Hardaway put the Tigers up by two points. From there the Tigers controlled the lead up until the final three minutes of he game. A Darien Jackson layup put the Hurricane on top 45-44. It was downhill from there for the Tigers.
Tulsa held Memphis to 22 points in the second half and only 5 points in the last 4:29. The Boogie Ellis three pointer with three seconds left on the clock as only enough to bring the Tigers within seven points before the clock hit 0.0 .
Deandre Williams finished the game as the only Tiger scoring in double figure (13).
If Larry Brown is still available and interested in that coaching job that Penny really wanted to give him, get the man on board. For going on three seasons now, the foundation of Tigers problems sounds the same. The coaching staff prepares a, would be, effective game plan. During practice the players do all the right things. After every loss, you can press play on a tape recorder and hear some version of the following: “We knew what to expect. The other team did not do anything that we didn’t expect them to. At some point during the game we deviated from the game plan.” Whatever is causing that disconnect needs to be addressed and at that point you will start to see a different team on the court.
The Tigers have eight days to get it together. Their next game is not until next Tuesday (12/29) when USF travels to the Fed Ex Forum.