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Iowa Basketball: Get to Know The Memphis Tigers

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 2:08 a.m. ET

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Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

A look at Iowa’s third place game opponent, the Memphis Tigers

After a 74-41 defeat to the Virginia Cavaliers, Iowa basketball will play the Memphis Tigers, who lost to Providence 60-51, in the third place game of the Emerald Coast Classic.

With both teams coming off a game last night, the 3 p.m. central time tip will test both teams benches. Due to a blowout, no one on Iowa played more than 30 minutes against Virginia. Therefore, the Hawkeyes should come into the game with fresher legs. Of course, it will take more than fresh legs to take third place.

Memphis started the season hot, going 4-0 before losing to Providence. Granted Memphis played all mid-major schools, but the Tigers scored more than 90 points three times and allowed just 70 points per game. That being said, it’s hard to tell how good Memphis really is, as they only managed 51 points against their first Power Five opponent.

Although, considering Iowa’s lack of defense against Virginia, Memphis might be able to ignite their offense. The Tigers have four players averaging double-digit points and seven of eight players who have played in all five games are averaging at least five points per game.

Last night, Iowa struggled against a team with multiple scoring threats. The Cavaliers had four players score in double-digits and seven score at least five points. However, Memphis has a legitimate top scoring option in Dedric Lawson, who is averaging a team-high 20.3 points per game, which makes their offense a scary test for Iowa.

Memphis is a mystery, as Iowa will only be their second Power Five opponent of the season. That being said, Iowa has to play better team defense and crash the glass, because the Tigers average 46.4 rebounds per game and rank 49th in the nation in opponent rebounding.

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Tubby Smith

Iowa will take on a familiar face in long-time Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach Tubby Smith. After missing the past two NCAA Tournaments and not reaching the same heights as they did with John Calipari, Memphis felt that it was time to move on from seven-year head coach Josh Pastner.

Smith has coached since the 1991-92 season, and he’s had success wherever he’s been. Throughout it all, Smith has compiled a 561-277 record (.669 winning percentage).

He brought Tulsa and Georgia to two NCAA Tournaments, won a championship with Kentucky, led Minnesota to multiple NCAA Tournaments and 20-win seasons and ended an eight year NCAA Tournament drought with Texas Tech last season.

The Tigers have a good shot at making the NCAA Tournament in Smith’s first season, but they know that it will take him a couple of years to bring them back to being a perennial national contender. Either way, Memphis needed a change of culture and found a great veteran coach.

Even though Iowa has different players, he and Fran McCaffery should know each other very well. It should make this a very interesting third place game, as neither coach should have a significant edge over the other or catch the other with any surprises. Overall, they have split their all-time series at three games a piece.

Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Players to Watch

Dedric Lawson: 20.4 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.8 BPG, 47.6 FG%

Iowa will have their hands full with 6-9 guard Dedric Lawson. He leads the team in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots, and ranks third in assists per game. Simply put, Memphis’ offense runs through Lawson, and he could be a nightmare problem for Iowa.

Peter Jok or Dom Uhl will likely try to stop Lawson from lighting up the scoreboard, as he has at least 19 points in all five games and at least 20 points in three of five. That being said, his rebounding for his position poses the biggest threat to an undersized Iowa team.

Virginia only out-rebounded Iowa by two, but Lawson’s rebounding is not a facet seen in every guard’s game. In fact, 11.6 rebounds per game and four straight double-doubles with rebounds is hard to match-up with, especially when considering his athleticism, which is highlighted by his near two blocks per game.

Providence held Lawson to 7-of-19 shooting and 2-of-8 from behind the arc last night. Iowa will need to do the same and keep him contained on the glass to beat Memphis. The Tigers have other scorers, but their offense is severely hurt when Lawson is struggling.

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Jeremiah Martin: 7.8 PPG, 6.2 APG, 4.2 RPG, 2.2 SPG, 56.3 FG%

A big reason why Memphis is so well-balanced on offense is because Jeremiah Martin knows how to spread the ball around. His 6.2 assists per game is one of the best marks in the nation, but Providence slowed him and the Tigers’ offense down.

Martin only dished out three assists and scored a measly seven points. Although, Memphis doesn’t look for Martin on offense as a scorer. He shoots a solid 56.3 percent from the field, but Iowa needs to force him into outside shots.

Martin is a dreadful 2-of-10 from deep and 1-of-6 from the line this season. Therefore, Iowa should play the passing lanes and dare him to shoot from the outside.

K.J. Lawson and Craig Randall II are each shooting above 40 percent from three for Memphis, therefore Martin will be looking for them on the perimeter. Memphis’ offense would take a huge hit if they had to rely on Martin as a top scorer, though.

When it comes down to it, mediocre point guard play by Iowa this season could finally haunt them. Not to mention Virginia’s silky smooth passing and defense hurt Iowa last night, which is Martin’s game. If Martin is setting up teammates for easy scores, Iowa won’t be able to keep up.

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