College basketball rankings: Memphis remains undefeated, but competition gets tougher next week
At the point when a group turns the ball north of 26 times, misses 14 of the 16 3-pointers it endeavors, and just gets five focuses from its best scorer, a success is anything but a possible result. So it addresses how gifted Memphis is, and how choking out the Tigers can be protectively, that they could do those three things Friday night and still beat Western Kentucky 74-62.
"Express gratitude toward God for Jalen Duren," said Memphis mentor Penny Hardaway," in light of the fact that he saved us in the match and dominated it for us."
That is the bottom line.
Duren made 12 efforts, made eight of them and wrapped up with a game-high 22 focuses, a game-high 19 bounce back and a game-high five squares in a short time against Western Kentucky. The five-star green bean was unbelievable and the fundamental explanation the Tigers improved to 4-0 with four twofold digit wins heading into Wednesday's standoff with a Virginia Tech group that is likewise 4-0 with four twofold digit wins.
It's reasonable Memphis gets an opportunity to be extraordinary.
The ability and profundity is overpowering.
However, here's reality: the turnover issue that has been an issue all through Hardaway's residency needs to work on or probably the Tigers aren't probably going to remain undefeated significantly longer. In the wake of parting with the ball one more multiple times against Western Kentucky, Memphis' hostile turnover rate is up to 27.2%, which positions 345th in the country. It is basically impossible that a group can turn the ball over anyplace near that consistently and accomplish the things the Tigers desire to accomplish this season. Thus, somehow, Hardaway and his staff need to get that to a reasonable number - ideally ahead of Wednesday's down against Virginia Tech that could prompt another resume-building opportunity against Xavier on Friday.
Memphis stays No. 5 in Saturday morning's refreshed CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 every day school b-ball rankings. Virginia Tech is No. 23. Xavier is No. 26. Each of the three groups (in addition to Iowa State) are contending in the following week's NIT Season Tip-off at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
