The Oklahoma State Cowboys (3-1) blew out the Memphis Tigers (2-2), 84-64, in the second game of the quarter-finals in Advocare Invitational. The loss was the worst of the season for the Memphis in a game, where at times the team looked noncompetitive. The Tigers moved the ball well, but could not consistently knock down shots.
Memphis connected on 24-66 shots from the field for 36 percent. Tyler Harris again led the Tigers with 14 points, and knocked down three three-point shots.
The Tigers collectively struggled from the beyond the arc, shooting 5-17 and Penny Hardaway said he was worried with the amount of three-point shots taken.
“It’s concerning a little bit because we talk about this,” Hardaway said to the media in Orlando. “You know, we seem to want to settle for a three instead of getting to the basket, and I try to give the guys freedom, I try not to put a ceiling or anything on how they play. I feel like with more freedom they will be confident in what they do.”
Hardaway goes on to say that they will work on this issue. He said the tournament showed where the team currently is and there are things he will modify.
The Tigers’ biggest issue against the Cowboys was the defense. Memphis totaled nine steals, but struggled contesting shots at the rim totaling zero blocks and sending Oklahoma State to the free-throw line 26 times. Hardaway said the defense is a concern.
“Right now we are really struggling on the defensive end,” Hardaway said. “We can’t keep people in front of us and teams are getting in the middle of the paint and we don’t have a rim protector.”
Oklahoma State had six players finish in double digits, guard Thomas Dziagwa led the Cowboys with 14 points, shooting 5-9 field-goals and connecting on 4-6 from downtown.
Forward Cameron McGriff totaled a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, but the difference maker on the defensive end for the Cowboys was forward Yor Anei. Anei totaled 12 points and four rebounds, along with six blocks and a steal.
Hardaway said the team needs to be better at driving in on big guys and drawing fouls to get to the free-throw line. The Tigers’ offense looked stagnant at times. Jeremiah Martin said the team can improve on the court through making key defensive plays and attacking the rim.
“Getting stops,” Martin said. “I feel like our best offense is transition. When we feel like we can get the ball up, get lay-ups… that’s our best offense. I feel like when, like Coach say we get to trying to go one-on-one, take shots, threes and not get inside and not paint touches, that’s when we struggle.”
The Tigers will need to have short term memory as they look to bounce back against the Canisus Golden Griffins (1-3) tomorrow. Canisus lost to the Villanova Wildcats (3-2), 83-56, in the first game of the quarter-finals in the Advocare Invitational.
Jeremiah Martin goes up for a layup against Wichita State.
