Three questions for Memphis basketball as it enters the season

Memphis basketball will get the season started on Monday in Sioux Falls, South Dakota against No. 18 Iowa State. With the season just a few days away, it’s time to ask some questions about the Tigers as they enter non-conference play.

The Tigers played two exhibitions and a secret scrimmage before the regular season began, and they split the exhibitions against Mississippi State and Arkansas. It appears Penny Hardaway has established who will start for him, but the question will be if everyone is eligible when the season starts on Monday.

Here are three questions for Memphis basketball entering the season.

How do the Tigers replace Nemanja Popović if he is forced to sit?

Nemanja Popović has been the best player on the floor for Memphis through its first two exhibitions, but he is currently being forced to sit the first six games of the season as a “withholding period.” He was granted two years of eligibility, but he must sit six games, stemming from a season he played overseas that was cut short due to an injury.

Memphis is appealing the decision, but if it don’t win its appeal, what will the Tigers do at the center position? 

Through two exhibitions, Popović is averaging 14 points, five rebounds and three assists per game. He has looked the part, and he has produced, and it would be a big loss if he’s not on the court.

Hardaway has said that FAU transfer Maxim Logue will likely slide into the starting five. Logue totaled 12 minutes in the two exhibitions and scored two points and grabbed four rebounds against the Razorbacks.

North Alabama transfer Corneilous Williams is also an option, but he didn’t see much action in either exhibition. Hardaway could also elect to go with a small lineup.

Do turnovers plague Memphis?

The turnovers killed the Tigers earlier this week against Arkansas, and they finished the game with 15 turnovers. Things looked better in the first exhibition against Mississippi State when Hardaway’s team turned the ball over only nine times.

While the team limited the turnover against the Bulldogs, lazy turnovers stood out against both SEC teams. With a tough non-conference schedule, the Tigers must limit the lazy and careless turnovers. 

Memphis has had previous teams that have been plagued with turnover issues, but it appears this team will be able to overcome any concerns in that area.

How does Penny Hardaway’s team fare in non-conference play?

There has been a lot said about the Tigers’ non-conference schedule, and it’s considered by some to be one of the toughest non-conference slates in the country. Four of their opponents will start the season in the top 25, while three other opponents received votes.

Memphis’ at-large resumé will hinge on what it does during the non-conference slate, and Hardaway’s team must record a few upset wins. 

KenPom currently predicts the Tigers will lose their first four games before their first win over Evansville. The analytics website has Memphis finishing 4-9, not counting the second game in the Battle 4 Atlantis.

Hardaway’s team will need to do better than that to not enter the conference with that much pressure.