Memphis Basketball: 5 keys for a successful 2018-19 campaign

5. Freshmen add to the depth of the roster

Let’s just say that Memphis is going to have plenty of depth in the backcourt this season. While it is sometimes not fair to ask freshmen to make huge contributions in their first seasons on campus, it is reasonable to hope that they can add to the depth of the roster. With six incoming guards in the 2018 Memphis recruiting class, at least a few of these players are bound to see minutes right away.

Because of this, Coach Hardaway could easily deploy a three-guard lineup for the majority of the season. Tigers’ fans are likely hoping that these incoming guards can improve the all-around shooting of the team and that alone would help the team grow overall. However, tempering expectations on the recruiting class is better than overestimating what they can bring to the table.

• SG Antwann Jones (No. 104): At 6-foot-6, Jones has excellent size to play on the wing and is the highest-rated recruit in the class. He is a dynamite scorer who can fill it up at all three levels while also being a solid rebounder. Jones projects as someone who can play 2-through-4 due to his size.
• PG Tyler Harris (No. 130): Despite standing at 5-foot-9, Tyler Harris is extremely polished and could find a role right away. He is a crafty and quick playmaker who can also knock down the open jumper from beyond the 3-point arc with consistency. His size limits him defensively to an extent but he brings a ton of energy on that end of the floor.
• PG Alex Lomax (No. 157): Another point guard prospect, Lomax comes in at 5-foot-11 and is a solid playmaker who can score from all three levels. He should compete for minutes at the lead guard position along with the previously mentioned Harris.
• SG Ryan Boyce (No. 228): An extremely athletic wing who has no trouble finishing above the rim, the 6-foot-5 Boyce is an intriguing prospect. He boasts the potential to be a solid 3-and-D wing off the bench right away, providing two skills that the team needs.
• SG David Wingett (No. 321): Although not tremendously highly rated, Wingett can splash from distance better than most guards. He should be able to stretch the floor right away and was a decorated scorer at the high school level.
• SG Jayden Hardaway (No. 511): The son of the head coach, Jayden Hardaway is the lowest-rated recruit in this class. Yet, the 6-foot-5 wing will add a nice boost of athleticism and shooting on the perimeter.

This does not include the fact that the Tigers are also added JUCO center Isaiah Maurice, who is ranked at No. 12 in that category of transfers.

Even though this article might show a lot of places where Memphis needs to improve, they are all things that could simply get better over the course of the offseason. If this is the case and Coach Hardaway proves to be solid throughout games, then the Tigers will definitely compete near the top of the AAC.