Louisiana Tech and host Memphis will look to beat their first losses of the season once they meet Wednesday night time.
The Bulldogs (7-1) fell to visiting Southern 73-70 final Saturday, and the No. 16 Tigers (6-1) misplaced to then-No. 4 Auburn 90-76 within the championship sport of the Maui Invitational on Nov. 27.
Louisiana Tech coach Talvin Hester mentioned he was disillusioned along with his group’s effort the final trip. Memphis coach Penny Hardaway, nevertheless, was inspired by his squad’s efficiency towards one of many prime groups within the nation on the finish of a difficult highway journey.
“We’re not going to let (the loss to Auburn) outline who we’re,” Hardaway mentioned. “Clearly we performed towards a very good group. We did not handle enterprise, however we discovered rather a lot your complete week and noticed that we belong. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. We’re solely going to get higher.”
Hardaway mentioned he was happy total with the Tigers throughout a four-game journey that started with a 68-64 victory at San Francisco on Nov. 21. Memphis beat then-No. 2 UConn 99-97 in extra time within the Maui opener earlier than defeating Michigan State 71-63 to achieve the title sport.
“I believe we have now a variety of confidence,” mentioned Colby Rogers, who scored 15 factors towards Auburn. “… I do not suppose we must always hold our heads down.
“There aren’t any ethical victories, however to go 3-1 on the highway journey offers us a variety of momentum. We simply have to ensure we be taught from this, develop from it and do not let this carry over. It is only one sport in a protracted season.”
Hardaway has lamented his group’s rebounding shortcomings. The Tigers have been out-rebounded 32-26 vs. Auburn, together with 11-8 on the offensive finish, and have been outscored 44-36 within the paint.
Within the victory over Michigan State, Memphis was outrebounded 36-28.
Louisiana Tech, in the meantime, trailed Southern by 14 factors with lower than seven minutes remaining however went on a 14-1 run to get inside one level with 2:22 remaining earlier than arising brief.
“We didn’t come out with any effort,” Hester mentioned. “I don’t suppose we performed onerous in any respect. There have been unfastened balls we didn’t get. That could be a direct reflection of effort. Even once we got here again on the finish, I assumed we simply received just a few stops and made just a few performs.
“I believe it was a psychological toughness factor. I believe folks have been studying newspaper clippings and telling us how good we’re.”
The Bulldogs dedicated eight of their season-high 17 turnovers within the first eight minutes. They hope that three days off will assist them get refreshed after they performed 4 video games in six days.
“They have been taking part in with rather more power,” Sean Newman Jr., who had 10 factors and eight assists, mentioned of Southern. “We didn’t match that. We’re undoubtedly fairly fatigued, however all people else goes via the identical factor. We do not need to make any excuses.”
–Area Degree Media