Penny Hardaway referenced his time defending 7'6" Shawn Bradley during his playing career as a focal point of preparation as Memphis got ready to play against 7'6" Tacko Fall Sunday afternoon (1/27) at FedExForum. It worked. The Memphis Tigers held Fall to 7 points and 6 rebounds in 19 minutes. Fall also has a hard time hitting free throws, as referenced by 92.9's Jason Smith in the afternoon press conference Friday leading up to the Tigers 77-57 win over Top-50 opponent UCF.
I asked Penny at presser Fri if he might try “Hack-a-Tacko” (b/c Tacko Fall shooting 27.8% from FT line on season) and it sounded so silly coming out of my mouth the question was laughed at. I was dumb to word it that way but I thought b/c he played w/ Shaq ... #QuestionsThatFail
— L. Jason Smith (@JasonSmith929)
January 27, 2019 It was so much more than the defense on UCF's big man Fall that led to a dominate Memphis win at FedExForum over a good UCF team. Memphis held stars BJ Taylor and Aubrey Dawkins to 10 and 2 points respectively.
On the offensive side of the ball Memphis hit shots, unlike the Temple game earlier in the week. 5 Tigers including Kyvon Davenport, Raynere Thornton, Jeremiah Martin, Tyler Harris, and Mike Parks Jr. scored in double figures as the Tigers were 44.6% from the field and 33.3% from 3-point land.
Here's more thoughts from the 92.9 FM ESPN Team/quotes following Memphis' win over UCF Sunday afternoon (1/27):
Final: Memphis 77, UCF 57. National championship ceremony coming up next!
— Geoff Calkins (@geoff_calkins)
January 27, 2019 Big win for Memphis. Different team at FedExForum (11-1). Could be trouble down stretch in AAC race and definitely in conference tournament (at FedExForum), especially if it get a top-four seed (which earns first-round bye).
— L. Jason Smith (@JasonSmith929)
January 27, 2019 Penny Hardaway: “This win shows we can play with anybody in the country.”
— John Martin (@JohnMartin929)
January 27, 2019 This is why Memphis has a shot to make the NCAA Tournament in Penny’s first year after inheriting a program that finished 161st at KenPom last season. The AAC Tournament is at FedExForum. And nobody in the AAC will be a significant favorite over the Tigers in that building. https://t.co/GyvxRL22rO
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS)
January 27, 2019 FULL COVERAGE LIVE BEGINNING AT 9AM WITH THE GEOFF CALKINS SHOW and throughout the day on Monday (1/28) on 92.9 FM ESPN, Memphis' Sports Station.
