Florida Atlantic gets payback for 78-74 defeat by Memphis

Video Transcript

Hey everyone, Derrick Branch here from Memphis Wire on Strike 7 Sports. Today, let’s dive into the recap of the Memphis Tigers’ final showdown of the 2023-2024 regular season against the Florida Atlantic Owls. This rematch, which shifted to Boca Raton’s Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena, was highly anticipated after the Tigers secured a victory against the Owls on their home turf at FedEx Forum two weeks ago.

The atmosphere was electric, with a packed crowd that included notable figures like Antonio Brown, Chris Carter, and Lisa Leslie. Boca Raton’s allure drew in a diverse audience for this pivotal matchup. However, despite the buzz, the Tigers fell short, succumbing to the Owls with a final score of 92-84. This loss significantly affected Memphis’s AAC tournament prospects, as they now need to win four consecutive games in four days to repeat as conference champions.

It’s a tough pill to swallow for the Tigers, who missed a crucial opportunity to solidify their postseason standing. With their AAC hopes hanging by a thread, the road ahead becomes even more daunting.

Let’s take a moment to analyze the statistics and player performances from the recent matchup. The game unfolded with a familiar rhythm, mirroring previous outings for the Memphis Tigers. The starting lineup saw substantial playing time, maintaining the team’s established strategy.

Nae’Qwan Tomlin led the charge with an impressive 36 minutes on the court, showcasing his versatility and impact. He dominated with 27 points and contributions across the board: one block, one steal, one assist, and seven rebounds. Tomlin’s sharpshooting was particularly notable, sinking five of six three-pointers and 11 of 15 from the field.

David Jones contributed 16 points and pulled eight rebounds in his 35 minutes of play. Although he didn’t record any blocks or steals, his presence in the paint was felt throughout the game. Nicholas Jourdain added seven points and grabbed six rebounds, displaying a solid performance on both ends of the court.

Jaykwon Walton chipped in with 10 points, six assists, and four rebounds during his 34 minutes of play. Meanwhile, Jahvon Quinerly contributed 35 minutes on the court, which was pivotal in orchestrating the team’s offense.

Tomlin’s stellar performance stands out once again, marking his fourth consecutive game with 20 points or more. His consistent contributions have become a cornerstone of the team’s success, highlighting his importance in key matchups.

An outstanding performance indeed. Nae’Qwan Tomlin truly stepped up in this matchup, demonstrating his readiness to contribute at a high level. However, where the Tigers needed crucial support today was from David Jones. This isn’t a critique of the team or its players but rather an observation of the pivotal roles that certain players needed to fulfill.

David Jones and players like Tomlin were expected to deliver a standout performance. While Jahvon Quinerly initially had a quieter presence in the game, he found his rhythm in the second half. Yet, by that point, the game had already reached a critical juncture.

On the other hand, Nicholas Jourdain delivered a performance characteristic of his style of play. With seven points and several rebounds, he played his role effectively. However, the spotlight was on players like David Jones and Quinerly to step up.

As I mentioned in yesterday’s preview on our social media platforms and YouTube community tab, the collective efforts of Tomlin, Quinerly, and Jones were crucial for a repeat of last week’s stellar performance, where David Jones scored over 30 points. Quinerly added 25, and Tomlin achieved a career-high 28 points. Such performances were imperative for overcoming this formidable opponent once again.

However, the anticipated contributions didn’t materialize as expected. Quinerly’s impact was limited until the latter stages of the second half.

The game remained tightly contested, with neither team able to establish a significant lead. However, midway through the first half, the Owls seized momentum and embarked on a decisive run. During this pivotal moment, Penny Hardaway made a substitution, replacing Nicholas Jordane with Jordan Brown. This move proved pivotal as Florida Atlantic capitalized on the opportunity to extend their lead.

With less than a minute remaining in the first half, the score stood at 36-35 in favor of Florida Atlantic. However, with back-to-back threes, the Owls’ sharpshooting from beyond the arc propelled them to a 41-35 lead heading into halftime. Despite Memphis trailing by six points, there was hope for a comeback akin to last week’s game against UAB, where they surged in the second half. However, such a turnaround failed to materialize on this occasion.”

Reflecting On the Game and Its Dynamics

While the game remained close throughout, Memphis could not mount a significant comeback. Unlike their previous performance against UAB, where they staged an impressive second-half rally, the Tigers couldn’t replicate that level of play this time. Despite trailing by only six points at halftime, Memphis couldn’t bridge the gap to make it a closely contested game. The matchup with Florida Atlantic posed unique challenges, raising questions about how Memphis matched up against their opponents.

I had concerns heading into the rematch, particularly about how Memphis would defend against Vladislav Goldin. Standing at 7’1″ and formerly with Texas Tech, Goldin proved to be a formidable force in the previous matchup and maintained his dominance in this game as well. Scoring 21 points and grabbing an impressive 12 rebounds, Goldin showcased his prowess once again. Additionally, he recorded 12 blocked shots, highlighting his impact on both ends of the court. Shooting 9-12 from the field in just 29 minutes of play, Goldin’s efficiency was undeniable. Currently ranking third in the country in field goal percentage, his presence as a 7-foot center poses a significant challenge for any opponent.

While Goldin commanded attention, Johnell Davis’s performance was somewhat subdued. Despite hopes for a breakout game, Davis didn’t find his rhythm against Memphis. However, he still contributed 14 points in 33 minutes of play, albeit shooting 5-14 from the field. With only one successful three-pointer out of three attempts and five assists, Davis displayed glimpses of his potential impact. Meanwhile, in the matchup, his teammate Bryan Greenlee stepped up, tallying an impressive 21 points, including five successful three-pointers.

The offensive prowess of Florida Atlantic was on full display, particularly from beyond the arc. Bryan Greenlee led the charge with five successful three-pointers, while Alijah Martin, coming off the bench, added another trey to the tally. The Owls hit 11 threes, showcasing their long-range shooting ability despite Memphis recording 16 threes. The difference in the game extended beyond mere statistics. In the second half, Memphis faced defensive challenges, struggling to contain Florida Atlantic’s perimeter shooting and allowing them to drive to the basket almost immediately. This defensive lapse proved costly as the Owls consistently had an answer for every Memphis attempt to mount a comeback.

The crowd’s intensity at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena posed additional challenges for Memphis. The packed arena made it difficult for players to establish rhythm and communicate effectively on the court. This lack of cohesion impacted the Tigers’ performance, hindering their ability to execute on both ends of the floor. According to reports, communication issues between players and Coach Penny Hardaway further compounded their struggles, playing to the advantage of Florida Atlantic. Ultimately, these external factors contributed to Memphis finding themselves in a challenging position.”

The loss highlights the significance of every game in the context of postseason aspirations. At the beginning of the season, the magnitude of individual matchups may not have been fully apparent. However, as the season progressed and losses to teams like Rice, North Texas, Tulane, and UAB accumulated, Memphis was in a precarious position. In a league as competitive as the American, each loss diminishes the margin for error.

Despite hopes of securing an NCAA tournament berth, the Tigers now face the harsh reality of needing a strong showing in the conference tournament to remain in contention. South Florida’s rise to prominence surprised many, earning them a coveted spot in the top 25 rankings. However, their recent loss to Tulsa underscores the unpredictable nature of college basketball. Yet, for Memphis and South Florida alike, the focus remains on securing wins within the league to enhance their chances of tournament eligibility.

Conversely, Florida Atlantic now finds themselves in a favorable position, with their recent victory likely solidifying their tournament berth without needing further heroics. While this win is a significant boost for Florida Atlantic, Memphis entered the matchup with a sense of urgency, understanding the ramifications of their previous losses. The setbacks against teams like Rice, Tulane, North Texas, and SMU amplified the importance of each subsequent game, elevating the pressure on the Tigers to perform.

Despite the challenges posed by their tumultuous season, the Tigers remain determined to navigate through the obstacles. As they confront the rigors of conference play, fatigue and rest become critical factors in determining their success. The journey ahead is arduous, requiring resilience and perseverance from players and coaching staff alike. With the tournament seeding still uncertain, Memphis must maintain its focus and intensity as it strives to secure a favorable position. While the road ahead may be daunting, the Tigers possess the talent and resolve to overcome adversity and emerge victorious.

If Memphis secures a fifth seed, their next matchup will likely be against either Wichita State or Tulane on Thursday. Conversely, if they end up as a sixth seed, they’ll face off against the winner of Temple versus Rice or UTSA versus Rice. As the tournament picture unfolds, these potential matchups challenge the Tigers to navigate. Only time will tell how the bracket ultimately shapes up and which path Memphis will take.

As we await the tournament’s progression, the Tigers reflect on their recent defeat, falling short with a final score of 92-84. Despite this setback, there remains optimism regarding Memphis’ potential to advance to the conference finals. However, achieving this goal hinges on player endurance and peak performance. With the postseason journey ahead, the Tigers must rise to the occasion, demonstrating resilience and determination to pursue their ultimate objective. The coming days will reveal whether Memphis can overcome the obstacles and emerge as a contender in the conference tournament.

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