Memphis basketball vs Tulane score prediction: Can Penny Hardaway address chemistry issues?
If there's any consolation to be had from Memphis basketball's collapse in Thursday's stunning home loss to South Florida, it's that the Tigers won't have much time to stew on it.
The 12th-ranked Tigers (15-3, 4-1 AAC) have to quickly turn their attention toward Tulane (11-6, 2-3). Sunday's tip-off (noon, ESPN2) at Devlin Fieldhouse at Fogelman Arena marks the team's return to what has been its very own house of horrors.
That building's tenant has consistently given Memphis fits in New Orleans over the years. The last time the Tigers won at Fogelman Arena (Dec. 16, 2020), there was an announced attendance of 100 and DeAndre Williams scored 10 points in his Memphis debut.
Every game of the Penny Hardaway era at Tulane has been decided by seven points or less. In fact, only once since the 2014-15 season has a Tigers-Green Wave game in New Orleans been decided by more than seven points.
Ron Hunter's team has struggled so far this season. But Hardaway knows better than to let that enter into the equation.
"Tulane, they really haven't played well (enough) to win (many) games," he said. "But we do know how they play against us. And, if you go down there and have eight assists (like the Tigers did in the loss to USF), it will definitely be the same (outcome) that it was today."
Here are three things to keep an eye on ahead of Sunday's game.
Why is Penny Hardaway talking about chemistry issues?
Hardaway spent a considerable amount of time after Thursday's loss shining a light on potential problems between players.
The sixth-year coach opted not to name names, but he indicated the turmoil is not something that has only recently cropped up.
"It's just a common theme with us. We've had this all year. We've been able to mask it, but it's there," he said. "We’re in the huddle, instead of talking about the other team, we’re trying to square things up. It’s just too much. You can’t do it. You’ve got to win the game.
"And I’m not gonna, we've got to learn from this game. But for us to go far in March, April, we’ve got to clean up all that."
Can Memphis basketball rebound?
If the Tigers are to rebound from the disappointing setback, they will have to rebound against the Green Wave.
Memphis has had its share of issues on the glass, averaging 37.2 rebounds, which is tied for 139th in the nation.
But Sunday's game gives the Tigers a golden opportunity to control the boards. The Green Wave are one of the worst rebounding teams in the country. Their 33.06 average is tied for 308th. Even worse is Tulane's offensive rebounding which, at 6.06 per game, ranks next-to-last in all of Division I.
Tulane scouting report
The Green Wave will try to play fast. Faster than any team the Tigers have seen this season.
Because of that, it affords Tulane (the sixth-most experienced team in the country) a lot of extra possessions and a lot more opportunities to score. And Hunter's team usually makes the most of it. The Green Wave lead the AAC in scoring offense (87.2 points per game). They have six players who average 9.6 points per game or better, led by Kevin Cross' 17.1 average. Jaylen Forbes is scoring 15.3 per game, while Sion James is at 13.8.
GIANNOTTO: Why Penny Hardaway aired Memphis basketball's dirty laundry after its USF loss
Defense has been a problem, though, for Tulane. Its 78.7 scoring defense is next-to-last in the league. The Green Wave defense has been particularly vulnerable at the 3-point line, where it is allowing opponents to hit 34.6% of its shots. The only team worse than that is Rice.
Memphis basketball score prediction vs. Tulane
Memphis 88, Tulane 84: The Tigers will rebound.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis basketball vs Tulane: Score prediction, scouting report
