What worries Auburn’s Bruce Pearl most about Memphis

On By Littum

MAUI, Hawaii – Most of the Memphis basketball team’s opponents cite its defensive style and philosophy as what sets the Tigers apart.

Auburn coach Bruce Pearl doesn’t see it that way. Speaking to reporters after his team’s authoritative 85-72 win over No. 13 North Carolina late Tuesday, Pearl was more worried about coach Penny Hardaway’s Tigers’ offense than anything else.

The two sets of 6-0 Tigers will collide in the Maui Invitational championship game Wednesday (4 p.m. CT, ESPN) at the Lahaina Civic Center.

“Our ability to guard will be really challenged tomorrow,” he said. “Our perimeter defenders will all be challenged. Memphis is a very tough coverage.”

Memphis’ backcourt has generated significant buzz this week, with Tyrese Hunter, PJ Haggerty and Colby Rogers combining to average 58 points per game. match in wins over no. 2 UConn on Monday and Michigan State on Tuesday. Another primary concern for Pearl is the aggressiveness and physicality that Hunter, Haggerty and Rogers use as large parts of their game.

“Memphis will drive in, they’ll initiate contact. They’ll fall to the floor. You know, the game is really hard to officiate,” he said. “They have three guards that are really hard to stay in front of. They can all make great one-on-one plays. They can all make tough twos and threes and they all shoot a lot of free throws.

“So we’re going to have to stay down. We’re going to have to stay up. We’re going to have to continue to guard with verticality. And when they drive contact, hopefully we’re able to maintain our position on the floor.”

Pearl also seemed impressed with the success Memphis has had so far for the level of competition it has faced. KenPom ranks Hardaway’s Tigers’ non-conference schedule as the 11th toughest in the country. Five of their six wins have come against top-100 KenPom teams, and they are 6-0 for the first time since 2010-11.

“And they had North Carolina in the preseason,” Pearl said. “And Penny always plays a tough schedule. A lot of guys moved from a lot of big places.

“He’s got them playing great, great basketball.”

Pearl acknowledged that he had not yet had enough time for a deeper dive into Memphis. But he said it would be fair to assume his team will be at a slight disadvantage from a freshness perspective. Auburn’s game ended around 21 local time, while Memphis tied with Michigan State about eight hours earlier.

“Obviously fatigue will be a factor. What time is it now? It’s 9 o’clock,” he said. “What time did Memphis finish playing today? So we’re trying to get our guys back as soon as possible.”

Reach sportswriter Jason Munz at [email protected] or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.