DeAndre Williams’ performance in Memphis Tigers’ game against Florida Atlantic in the NCAA tournament is one for the books. Despite picking up his third and fourth fouls less than 50 seconds apart in the opening three minutes of the second half, coach Penny Hardaway chose to trust him, and Williams didn’t foul again, playing almost the entire rest of the game. Williams made every big play down the stretch, and his two putbacks in the final 90 seconds put Memphis in a position to win until FAU made the biggest play of all. Memphis Tigers’ resiliency and talent will ensure that they come back stronger next season.
The game started poorly for Memphis Tigers, settling for too many 3-pointers, and Kendric Davis and DeAndre Williams looking tentative and out of sync against FAU’s defense. However, the supporting cast, including Elijah McCadden, Damaria Franklin, and Jayden Hardaway, made crucial contributions to steady Memphis until Davis found his bearings late in the first half. Despite the impressive performances by the role players, FAU made the biggest play of all, which ended Memphis’ season.
Memphis Tigers suffered a heartbreaking 66-65 loss to Florida Atlantic in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday night. Kendric Davis, the star player of the team, reinjured his ankle and lost his cool, shouting in pain and then yelling at Malcolm Dandridge. The Tigers’ emotions were high, and chaos ensued when they thought they called a timeout in the scramble for the loose ball, but the refs did not grant it. Davis did return to the game, but his poor pass with 14 seconds left opened the door for FAU to advance. The Tigers missed their chance to go to the Sweet 16, and their season ended with this agonizing loss.
The game ended with Penny Hardaway, the team’s coach, throwing his water bottle to the court in disgust, DeAndre Williams flinging his headband into the stands with anger, and Davis staring into nowhere seated on the bench, realizing that his career was over. It was a defining moment for Memphis basketball, which had largely avoided this type of drama throughout the season.
Coach Penny Hardaway’s decision to re-insert Williams back into the game with four fouls and 14 minutes to go was daring, and it was a decision that could have gone either way. The loss was a tough pill to swallow for Memphis, and it remains to be seen if this March Madness will give them the respect they crave.
Memphis’ loss to FAU is a stark reminder that the NCAA Tournament is a win-or-go-home scenario. Despite the heartbreaking end to their season, Memphis Tigers will have to regroup and come back stronger next season.
DeAndre Williams’ performance in Memphis Tigers’ game against Florida Atlantic in the NCAA tournament is one for the books. Despite picking up his third and fourth fouls less than 50 seconds apart in the opening three minutes of the second half, coach Penny Hardaway chose to trust him, and Williams didn’t foul again, playing almost the entire rest of the game. Williams made every big play down the stretch, and his two putbacks in the final 90 seconds put Memphis in a position to win until FAU made the biggest play of all.
Unusual suspects save the day
Memphis Tigers’ game against FAU did not start well. The team was settling for too many 3-pointers, and Kendric Davis and DeAndre Williams looked tentative and out of sync against FAU’s halfcourt defense. After a 14-2 FAU run, the Tigers trailed by 10 and were shooting 27.7 percent, including 1 of 9 from beyond the arc. It looked perilous for a moment.
But the resiliency of this team surfaced in a most unpredictable way – through the supporting cast that’s often in the background when Davis and Williams are thriving. Role players like Elijah McCadden, Damaria Franklin, and Jayden Hardaway made crucial contributions to steady Memphis until Davis found his bearings late in the first half. McCadden had timely buckets and rebounds. Franklin had a sequence in which he got a chasedown block and then a 3-pointer. Hardaway then hit the 3-pointer that tied the game at 29.
The momentum had swung, the defense became stifling, and Davis started to play like himself again after going more than 13 minutes between field goals. He had 10 points in the final six minutes before halftime, including two 3-pointers that gave Memphis a 35-31 advantage heading into the locker room.
Despite the impressive performances by the role players, FAU made the biggest play of all, which ended Memphis’ season.
Conclusion
DeAndre Williams’ performance in the game against FAU is a testament to his talent and resilience. Despite his foul trouble, he made every big play down the stretch, putting Memphis in a position to win. The supporting cast’s performance was also crucial in steadying Memphis until Davis found his bearings late in the first half. The loss was disappointing, but Memphis Tigers’ resiliency and talent will ensure that they come back stronger next season.
Don’t miss interesting posts on Famousbio
