Memphis basketball takes down Tulane for third straight win. Here are 5 observations
Memphis basketball forward Jonathan Pierre had a spoiler alert ahead of Sunday's game against Tulane at FedExForum.
"Be ready for a show tonight," he said to The Commercial Appeal.
That's just what everyone on hand and those watching elsewhere were treated to. The Tigers (18-6, 7-4 AAC) won their third straight game 90-78, avenging a loss to the Green Wave in New Orleans last month.
David Jones led the way with 23 points and 10 rebounds, his fifth double-double of the season. Jahvon Quinerly scored 18 points and had six assists and five rebounds.
Here are five observations from Sunday's game.
Memphis basketball's top three
The Tigers' two best, most productive players this season unquestionably have been Jones and Quinerly. And the team has been good when they've been good.
But when a third Tigers player joins them, Memphis becomes far more dangerous. Nae'Qwan Tomlin made it that against Tulane. The midseason transfer from Kansas State had 16 points and four rebounds, the second-most points he has scored since joining the Tigers on Dec. 23.
Tomlin also has become more of a focal point on offense in recent weeks. His 14 field goal attempts were the most for him this season and were the most by any Tigers player Sunday.
What a start
Tulane took an early 1-0 lead, which soon became a 3-2 advantage.
The game was never the same after that.
Tomlin threw down a rim-rattling, running one-handed dunk to put the Tigers up, and they never trailed again. Ignited by Tomlin’s jam, they blasted off on a 23-3 run in the next 6 minutes, 34 seconds. That run, which included eight points from Tomlin, also included a stretch where the Tigers scored 16 straight to take a 25-6 lead.
Sharing is caring
As good as the Tigers’ offense has been this season, they have not been particularly efficient. Prior to facing Tulane, Memphis assisted on just 48.3% of its made field goals, which ranked 232nd in the country.
On Sunday, it looked like a well-oiled machine for much of the game. It started out with eight assists on its first 10 made field goals. Then it was 10 of its first 14. Then it was 16 of its first 20.
The Tigers finished with 21 assists on 29 made field goals.
Turning up the heat
Defense has been one of the primary weak spots for the Tigers this season.
Part of it is because coach Penny Hardaway’s roster was not built the same way it was in years past. He leaned more into adding offensive-minded players, who were not accustomed to going all-out on defense.
But the team has been gradually ratcheting up the intensity, and Sunday was among its best performances in that respect. Eleven of Tulane’s 14 turnovers were Memphis steals.
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Jordan Brown steps up
A game in which Hardaway played just nine players and got meaningful contributions from all of them, perhaps the most pleasant surprise was Jordan Brown.
Most remember that the 6-foot-11 center left the team in early December and was away for 11 games. But even before his temporary departure, Brown was struggling. Since his return, things haven’t exactly been smooth, either. Before Sunday, he had just three appearances (14 minutes) with six points and five rebounds. Brown did not play in the win at Temple on Thursday.
Against Tulane, with Malcolm Dandridge in foul trouble throughout the game, Brown put together one of his best outings in a Memphis uniform. His seven points were the most since he put up eight against Alabama State on Nov. 17. His 16 minutes were the most since he played 18 versus Alabama State.
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 wins 3rd straight, taking Tulane down in AAC game
