Memphis lost its third straight game Thursday night in Tampa against South Florida by 21 points. With the loss, the Tigers fall to 12-14 on the season and 7-6 in conference play, and they’ve lost six of their last nine games.
Penny Hardaway’s team played well out of the gate, and they led by six points five minutes into the game. Aaron Bradshaw got out to a strong start, recording 10 points and two rebounds, but he picked up two fouls four minutes into the game and spent the rest of the half on the bench.
Shortly after Bradshaw left the game, the Bulls took complete control, flipping the momentum of the game. After a 13-0 run in the first half, Bryan Hodgson’s team took a 16-point lead into halftime, and they put the game into cruise control in the second half to win 87-66.
As a team, Memphis shot 32.8 percent from the field, 37.5 percent from deep and 75 percent from the free-throw line, and Julius Thedford led the team with 13 points and five rebounds. Bradshaw and Curtis Givens both finished with 12 points, but nobody else finished with more than 10 points.
On the other side, the Tigers allowed the Bulls to shoot 36.4 percent from the field and 30 percent from deep, and they sent USF to the free-throw line 35 times.
Shooting struggles continue
Memphis shot only 32.8 percent from the field, and it went 12:23 without a made field goal, going 0-for-19 from the field in that stretch. The shooting improved in the second half, but Hardaway’s team struggled to find much consistency.
After a red-hot stretch of shooting, Sincere Parker cooled off, and he went 3-for-11 from the field. Dug McDaniel’s shooting woes continued as well, and he shot 3-for-10 from the field.
The Tigers have struggled shooting all season, and they rank No. 273 in three-point percentage and No. 281 in two-point percentage, according to KenPom. Memphis has five games remaining, and they must shoot the ball better if they want to receive a bye in the conference tournament.
USF dominates the boards
Hardaway’s team has struggled in the rebounding category for most of the season, but they had no answers against the Bulls on Thursday. The Tigers lost the rebounding battle 52-to-39, and they gave up 22 offensive rebounds.
USF scored 22 second-chance points, and Arkansas State transfer Izaiyah Nelson led the team with 14 rebounds, including six offensive boards.
The Tigers have lost the rebounding battle in two of the last three games, and they lost the battle in five out of six games earlier in conference play. Memphis has rebounded by committee this year, and it must limit second-chance opportunities down the stretch of the regular season.
Fouling woes continue
The Tigers have struggled defending without fouling for most of the season, but it’s become more of an issue in recent weeks. A week ago, North Texas attempted 41 free throws, and it continued to be an issue against the Bulls.
Memphis has finished with 23 fouls in the last three games, and USF went 30-for-35 from the free-throw line. Bradshaw controlled the early part of the game, but Hardaway was forced to sit him after he picked up two fouls early in the game, which completely changed the dynamic of the contest.
Opposing teams are starting to notice that if they’re the more aggressive team and get the ball to the basket, the Tigers will send them to the charity stripe, and they’re using it to their advantage.