UC at Memphis

[Red_N_Black_Attack]

I've been really busy so far this college basketball season and barely had enough time to keep up with the Cats. Is Memphis really as good as their rating? I don't know what type of tempo they like to use or their strengths. I'd like to think their D can be broken by our Offense, but I haven't seen enough consistency in our offense.

I am confident our Defense will play well.

What kind of evaluations and predictions can you offer for this game?

 

[Scheids21]

Tough to win at FedEx; I'll say cats by 8 (tigers that is).

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Memphis is currently 10-2 and ranked #18/#18 in the polls, #19 by KenPom and #18 by the RPI.

They are essentially what most UC fans what Cincinnati to be. A team composed of a lot of 5* and 4* athletes that thrive in an open court game because of the excellent guard play.

The two losses they have are to Oklahoma State in Stillwater (by 21) and Florida at MSG (by 2). The best win they have is a revenge game over Oklahoma State at the Old Spice Classic (by 5). They also beat LSU in the Old Spice (by 7), who figures to be an at-large contender in the SEC.

As I mentioned, senior guard play is their biggest strength as they have 4 quality guards: Joe Jackson (15 points, 4 assists), Chris Crawford (9 points, 4 rebounds), Geron Johnson (8 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists) and Michael Dixon (11 points and 2 assists).

In the frontcourt, they are led by sophomore Shaq Goodwin who has really improved from last year (13 points, 7 rebounds) and a freshman named Austin Nichols who reminds me of a young Pau Gasol (9 points, 4 rebounds). They have been getting production from 1 year rental David Pellom as well.

Those 7 players I just mentioned are about as far as their rotation will go now that conference play has started. They have a ton of good freshman who could make an impact, but against better teams they'll stick with the guys they trust.

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Cincinnati isn't going to be able to get into an up and down game against Memphis (especially at the Forum) because they simply have much better guard play. The way UC will have to win this game is by grinding it out possession by possession. I am not sure how much Mick will want to pressure, as they can easily feed of it and get easy buckets. This is the best team Cincinnati has played to date, and Memphis has legitimate Sweet 16/Elite 8 dreams. I think this is the game where defensive streak of holding an opponent under 70 is snapped:

Memphis 78, Cincinnati 63

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

I've been really busy so far this college basketball season and barely had enough time to keep up with the Cats. Is Memphis really as good as their rating? I don't know what type of tempo they like to use or their strengths. I'd like to think their D can be broken by our Offense, but I haven't seen enough consistency in our offense.

I am confident our Defense will play well.

What kind of evaluations and predictions can you offer for this game?

Take a look at their efficiencies HERE.

I am quite impressed with their offensive numbers, and the turnover rat ethey force is almost as good as UC.

 

[JumpinJack5]

Memphis is currently 10-2 and ranked #18/#18 in the polls, #19 by KenPom and #18 by the RPI.

They are essentially what most UC fans what Cincinnati to be. A team composed of a lot of 5* and 4* athletes that thrive in an open court game because of the excellent guard play.

The two losses they have are to Oklahoma State in Stillwater (by 21) and Florida at MSG (by 2). The best win they have is a revenge game over Oklahoma State at the Old Spice Classic (by 5). They also beat LSU in the Old Spice (by 7), who figures to be an at-large contender in the SEC.

As I mentioned, senior guard play is their biggest strength as they have 4 quality guards: Joe Jackson (15 points, 4 assists), Chris Crawford (9 points, 4 rebounds), Geron Johnson (8 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists) and Michael Dixon (11 points and 2 assists).

In the frontcourt, they are led by sophomore Shaq Goodwin who has really improved from last year (13 points, 7 rebounds) and a freshman named Austin Nichols who reminds me of a young Pau Gasol (9 points, 4 rebounds). They have been getting production from 1 year rental David Pellom as well.

Those 7 players I just mentioned are about as far as their rotation will go now that conference play has started. They have a ton of good freshman who could make an impact, but against better teams they'll stick with the guys they trust.

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Cincinnati isn't going to be able to get into an up and down game against Memphis (especially at the Forum) because they simply have much better guard play. The way UC will have to win this game is by grinding it out possession by possession. I am not sure how much Mick will want to pressure, as they can easily feed of it and get easy buckets. This is the best team Cincinnati has played to date, and Memphis has legitimate Sweet 16/Elite 8 dreams. I think this is the game where defensive streak of holding an opponent under 70 is snapped:

Memphis 78, Cincinnati 63

I'm gonna go Memphis 68-UC 60. This team rarely gets embarrassed, don't think we will lose by 15. The Xavier game was a fluke.

 

[UCalum08]

I think this will be a very tough task for UC to win but not out of the question for a couple reasons: its a road game in a what will be packed loud arena. I am not sure we are mentally tough enough to hang in that kind of atmosphere. Memphis is going to have their runs and I just question our offensive abilities to hang with that.

We have been playing better of late so I am excited to see if we have gotten better. I think we can win but it will be very difficult.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

I'm gonna go Memphis 68-UC 60. This team rarely gets embarrassed, don't think we will lose by 15. The Xavier game was a fluke.

Memphis has been dying to get a quality team at home and an old rival at that. I think they come out really pumped up. The score probably won't indicate how close of a game it is, kind of UNM got out to a huge lead then UC came back and then UNM pulled away...

 

[Bearcat Rob]

If Justin Jackson stays out of foul trouble we will win this game. I expect sk to find his shot and come out on fire. This is a different team than the guys that went to New Mexico, we are more experienced and comfortable and confident in our roles. This team is really clicking, and our ready to show the nation who they are. This is a big test on espn against a great team, but i think we are up to it.
UC 72 Mempphis 63
Caupain, sk, and kj could see time together this game to match there guards. Caupain is always smooth and sk is sk, but if kj plays like he did against Nebraska were looking good.

 

[mdchick]

Justin Jackson and shaq Goodwin are pretty much the same player, regardless of who wins its going to be a great game to watch. I wouldn't be surprised to see sk, Sanders, thomas, rubles, and Jackson all on the floor together to try and compete with their size and strength. Sk pretty much handles the ball the majority of the time anyways so I don't see why that lineup would be a problem

 

[BearcatMick]

Don't think Mumphis really matches up well against us.

They can't shoot very well and UC won't allow them many offensive boards

The only reason I'm thinking this is somewhat close is because its a road game and Mumphis will get some BS calls

UC 70
Mumphis 64

 

[bearcat jeff]

Keep Goodwin and Jackson off the foul line, and Crawford, Dixon and Jackson from going crazy on 3's and you have a shot. Against Ok. St. Memphis shot 15% from 3 but shot like 33 ft's in the loss. In the loss to Florida, they were limited at the ft line and Florida dominated the boards. I believe that is the key to winning.

 

[UCBearcats]

Memphis - 68
UC - 54

 

[bearcat jeff]

Hoping for the upset but think UC falls just short. 68-64 Memphis, but I do believe UC has a REAL shot to win this game and it will not shock me if they do.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Hoping for the upset but think UC falls just short. 68-64 Memphis, but I do believe UC has a REAL shot to win this game and it will not shock me if they do.

My heart says UC but realisticly I have to perdict Memphis. The Cats will give them a run but playing away from home gives them the W. Boy do I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Scheids21]

It would be great if we could beat Louisville, UCONN, or Memphis on the road but I don't expect to. If we could beat them at home, then we will have a good looking resume come March, barring multiple losses to lesser teams.

 

[anbuc88]

Beating Memphis at Fed Ex forum will be a tall task. Even though I am hoping they win, I just can't see it happening with the senior leadership that Memphis has. College basketball is a guard driven sport, and Memphis has 4 really good senior guards. I think we would be hard pressed to find a team in the recent past that has 4 senior guards as good as this. I think Memphis wins by double digits.

 

[Shoemaker]

I think Memphis is starting to get to where the media and their fans thought they should have been the past couple seasons, but coaching changes can have extended effects (as we well know). Pastner is landing top flight talent, but it's time to start showing some results.
UC is going to have to grind this game out like they have done in the past. If the Cats get caught in a track meet early, I look for Mick to try and use timeouts and reiterate the idea of dictating game pace.
Not expecting a win in Memphis, wouldn't be shocked if they pulled it off though.

 

[UCalum08]

I see UC trying to make this a grinder, half court game. Memphis thrives in fast pace up and down games so I don' think the press would be that effective. Lower the score, the better the chances we have.

 

[Not Guilty]

Its interesting because I don't think we will be out-athleted at all by Memphis but we use our athletes in a completely different way than Memphis does.

It's easier to slow a game down than it is to speed it up, so I don't think that will be too much of a problem unless we are uncharacteristically loose with the ball. The challenge I see is will we be able to have the mental toughness to withstand the runs that Memphis goes on, which are almost certain to come.

We obviously did a poor job of this against New Mexico and Xavier. But we've done a much better job recently, with Pitt being the most obvious example. I think Pitt is a better team than Memphis but this will be a tougher game given its a true road game instead of a neutral court game.

 

[Bearcat Rob]

Memphis is a good team, I agree with that, but so are we. Yes there guards are good but sean kilpatrick is better than joe jackson. I listen to the player press conferences after the game and justin Jackson's confidence is sky high, if he stays out of foul trouble we got this. This team is Hungry for that big win, I keep hearing about their senior guards and their senior leadership, well we got three seniors starting and they are are best players and give the most effort and they will lead us. It's going to be a great game.
Uc 72 Memphis 63