NASSAU, Bahamas — The Memphis Tigers found themselves on a challenging path, reeling from a heavy home defeat just days prior to facing the top-ranked Purdue Boilermakers. However, on Thursday night, they showcased resilience and determination in an 80-71 defeat in their opening game of the Baha Mar Hoops Championship.
Despite entering the matchup with a struggling record of 1-3, Memphis proved to be a formidable opponent against a Purdue team led by two All-American caliber players. The Tigers maintained a robust effort throughout the game, leading for a significant portion and showing the “fight” that coach Penny Hardaway emphasized was necessary.
“I’m proud of the guys’ effort, but we don’t accept moral victories,” Hardaway noted. “If we played this hard all year, we would be 3-1 right now, instead of 1-3. So, we have something to build on.”
Point guard Dug McDaniel led the Tigers with 18 points, showcasing not only his scoring ability but also contributing six assists and six rebounds. Teams often struggle against Purdue’s physical play, yet Memphis matched their intensity, even forcing the Boilermakers into 11 turnovers.
At various points during the game, Memphis demonstrated their potential, leading by as much as nine points early on. They lit up in the second half with energizing plays, managing a critical 5-0 run shortly after the halftime break, which highlighted their refusal to back down. However, they suffered from late-game shooting struggles, going just 2 for 14 in the final six minutes, which ultimately allowed Purdue to pull away.
Defensively, the Tigers did well to contain Purdue’s star players. Braden Smith, a preseason favorite for National Player of the Year, could only muster five points on a difficult shooting night, while fellow standout Trey Kaufman-Renn faced limitations due to foul trouble.
Entering the game, Memphis was ranked significantly lower than Purdue in advanced metrics, yet they proved competitive. Unfortunately, they were also without key players, including center Thierno Sylla and wing Hasan Abdul Hakim, due to personal issues and illness, respectively.
Looking ahead, Memphis is set to face Wake Forest in their next challenge, with the matchup providing an opportunity for continued improvement. Coach Hardaway’s assertion that hard work and determination could lead the Tigers to an undefeated run before the NCAA Tournament exemplifies the sense of hope and potential that remains within the young team.