RECAP: Memphis basketball loses fourth consecutive game to Rice

Memphis basketball just might be broken.

The Tigers (15-6, 4-4 AAC) lost their fourth consecutive outing against Rice 74-71 inside FedExForum Wednesday. The Owls were ranked No. 248 in the NCAA NET rankings, meaning this is Memphis’ first Quad 4 loss since the 2021-22 season when it lost at Georgia on Dec. 1, 2021. Penny Hardaway’s team was already on the NCAA Tournament bubble heading into this game, and its hopes for an at-large bid are in serious jeopardy following Wednesday’s crushing defeat.

Memphis shot 42% from the field and 17% from 3-point range. It also won the rebounding battle 35-30, and collected 15 offensive rebounds, 16 forced turnovers, 10 steals, 10 assists and 4 blocks. David Jones led the Tigers with 18 points and 5 rebounds. Malcolm Dandridge (14), Jaykwon Walton (12) and Nae’Qwan Tomlin (11) also scored in double-figures.

Rice (8-13, 2-6 AAC), which didn’t own a single win outside of Quad 4 before Wednesday, shot 49% from the field and 48% from beyond the arc. It also racked up 16 forced turnovers, 10 offensive rebounds, 10 steals, 9 assists and 4 blocks while leading for 35:17 of the 40-minute contest. Mekhi Mason (17), Keanu Dawes (15), Travis Evee (14) and Anthony Selden (14) each scored double-digit points.

The U of M—now No. 7 in the AAC—will continue its search for stability when it hosts Wichita State Saturday (12 p.m., CBS). It’s never lost more than four games in a row during Hardaway’s six-year tenure.

Here are some takeaways from the Tigers’ shocking loss.

New starting lineup falls flat

Memphis trotted out a new starting lineup for the first time in 10 games, and it didn’t include point guard Jahvon Quinerly (13.9 points and 4.7 assists per game).

The Tigers began Wednesday’s game with Walton, Jones, Jonathan Pierre, Tomlin and Dandridge. Pierre averaged 4.3 minutes per game heading into the contest. This new combination from Hardaway—an attempt to reenergize his ailing squad—completely backfired.

Memphis managed just one point—a made free throw by Jones—before Quinerly and Nick Jourdain checked into the game with 16:55 remaining in the first half. Pierre didn’t score in his seven minutes of action.

Offense sputters in the first half

The Tigers scored 80 points per game in their losses to South Florida, Tulane and UAB, but they didn’t have an answer for Rice’s defense at first.

Memphis shot the ball poorly in the game’s first 20 minutes, going 8-of-23 from the field and 0-of-8 from 3-point range. It also turned the ball over 10 times and recorded just two assists. The Owls, meanwhile, shot 50% on their field goal attempts and 56% from beyond the arc to take a 33-22 lead into halftime. Scott Pera’s team was ranked No. 201 in adjusted offensive efficiency and No. 259 in adjusted defensive efficiency by KenPom heading into Wednesday’s game—by the way.

The Tigers looked broken, discombobulated and downright ugly throughout the opening period. And they ultimately set themselves up for failure.

Tigers rally back in the second half, but Rice steals the win.

Memphis’ offense improved tremendously down the stretch, but its defense softened at the same time.

Because of that, the Tigers and Owls traded baskets for most of the second half—the latter leading by a safe distance for most of the period. Three-pointers from Walton, Tomlin and Jones, however, helped Memphis break through to claim a 59-58 advantage with 4:16 to go.

Hardaway’s team expanded that lead to three points with under two minutes left, but Rice still had one last gasp. Back-to-back deep bombs from Evee helped the Owls retake a 68-65 lead with 1:32 on the clock. Memphis had a chance to tie things back up on the other end, but Quinerly missed a pullup 3-pointer. Dawes sealed the game with two free throws a minute later.