Takeaways from Memphis' two games at the Baha Mar Championship

Memphis traveled to the Bahamas with many questions following a lopsided home loss to UNLV. The Tigers lost both games against Purdue and Wake Forest and are now off to their worst start since the 1996-97 season. 

Penny Hardaway’s team started the Baha Mar Championship against Purdue, and they put up an impressive fight for most of the game. The Tigers jumped out to an early lead before the Boilermakers took the lead going into halftime.

In the second half, the two teams traded leads before Purdue pulled away to secure a nine-point victory. In the game, Memphis shot 42.4 percent from the field and 21.1 percent from three, and Dug McDaniel led the team with 18 points, six rebounds and six assists.

The next night, Memphis met Wake Forest in the consolation game. The Tigers led by as many as 13 points in the first half, and Hardaway’s team led for 32:49 of the game.

Despite having a two-point lead with less than two seconds left in the game, Memphis allowed Wake Forest to inbound the ball and set up a good look from deep, which led to the Tigers’ second loss in the Bahamas. McDaniels had another impactful game, finishing with 24 points, six assists and five rebounds, and he was named to the all-tournament team.

Here are three takeaways from the weekend in the Bahamas. 

Fast Starts

Most people were curious how the Tigers would play early after the disheartening loss against UNLV, and Memphis answered the question with impressive starts in both games.

Hardaway’s team jumped out to a 13-4 lead against Purdue and set the tempo early, making the No. 1 team in the country uncomfortable. The Tigers had a similar start against Wake Forest and used a 16-0 run to take a 19-6 lead nearly halfway through the first half.

Memphis lost both games, despite the fast starts, but it’s a good sign that this team has found a lineup that can bring energy and allow them to play with a lead early in games. The Tigers will need these fast starts to continue, especially with a handful of tough non-conference opponents left on the schedule.

Emerging Players

After the loss against UNLV, Hardaway made changes to the starting lineup and looked for different players to step up and make an impact in the Bahamas. 

Memphis started Zach Davis and Simon Majok, and Davis played two of his better games as a Tiger. The South Carolina transfer recorded 11 points against Purdue and 12 points against Wake Forest.

He also looked good defensively and held preseason All-American Braden Smith under wraps in the first half.

It was reported before the first game that the Tigers would be without starting big man Thierno Sylla. With him not available and other players in foul trouble, Hardaway turned to William Wharton to give the team some minutes off the bench.

Whorton played six minutes against Purdue and recorded a block, but he played 18 minutes against Wake Forest and finished with four points and six rebounds.

Aaron Bradshaw continues to struggle

Aaron Bradshaw’s struggles continued in the Bahamas, and it’s clear that he is becoming frustrated with his recent performances.

In the two games, Bradshaw only played 17 total minutes, and he recorded one total rebound in the two outings. The 7-foot-1 forward fouled out of both games, and he’s now fouled out in three of the team’s five games.

Bradshaw did record seven points against the Boilermakers, which ties his career high, but the Tigers are still waiting for him to have a positive game.