RECAP: No. 2 Alabama stifles Memphis in Rocket City Classic

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The new-look Tigers completely struck out in exhibition play.

Memphis dropped its second and final preseason scrimmage to No. 2 Alabama 96-88 at the Von Braun Center Monday night. This fortunately won’t count for Memphis, however, just like its 84-76 loss to No. 9 North Carolina earlier this month. But that will no longer be the case once the Penny Hardaway’s club begins the regular season at home against Missouri on Nov. 4 (7 p.m., ESPN+).

Memphis shot 40% from the field and hit just one 3-pointer. It also went 29-for-48 from the free throw line while recording 23 offensive rebounds, 19 assists, 14 steals and 6 blocks. Additionally, it outrebounded Alabama 51-42, scored 54 points in the paint and 36 fastbreak points and forced 20 total turnovers.

Nate Oats’ team shot 48% from the field and 39% from the beyond the arc. Alabama also put up 17 assists, 11 offensive rebounds, 9 steals, 6 blocks and 33 bench points. The Crimson Tide forced 15 Memphis turnovers.

Here are some takeaways from Memphis’ loss.

Memphis goes cold in the first half.

Memphis had a really tough time scoring to start the game.

The Tigers shot a porous 27.8% during the period, and made only 10 field goals. Dain Dainja led Memphis with 7 points on 2-for-6 shooting. PJ Haggerty, who scored 24 against UNC, finished the first half with 4 points on 1-of-8 shooting. Tyrese Hunter, Colby Rogers and Nick Jourdain also went to the locker room with 4 points each.

Memphis, which also went 0-for-7 from 3-point range in the opening period, allowed 16 second-chance points and 10 points off turnovers. It scored 4 and 11 respectively in both categories.

Alabama overcomes injury woes.

The Crimson Tide were without starters Grant Nelson, Chris Youngblood and Latrell Wrightsell, plus 5-star freshman Aiden Sherrell against the Tigers due to injuries, but it simply didn’t matter.

Hardaway’s club looked sloppy, discombobulated and unorganized throughout the most of the contest, as Alabama never trailed. Preseason All-American guard Mark Sears led Alabama with 20 points, though freshman guard Labaron Philon wasn’t too far behind with 17.

Memphis’ second half rally falls short.

Haggerty, just he did against North Carolina, erupted after halftime despite committing eight personal fouls (There were no foul-outs in the exhibition).

The 6-foot-3 guard refused to be denied, scoring bucket after bucket to help the Tigers close the gap–as tall a task it may be. He ultimately scored 28 points in the period, finishing with the game with 32, which led all scorers.

But no other Tiger finished with more than 16, and Memphis’ comeback bid ultimately fell short after it cut the Alabama’s lead to as low as 6 points with 1:01 to go.

The Tigers outscored the Crimson Tide 59-47 in the second half while shooting 51.4% from the field. Alabama led by as many as 21 points.