NCAA Basketball: Analyzing 2021 5-star C Charles Bediako’s top 10 teams
By Ian Mumm
Memphis Tigers
Penny’s Tigers had all the potential in the world last season, but we were all witnesses to what happened when his inexperienced backcourt lacked a solid post presence. His focus in the 2021 recruiting class, as well as finishing the 2020 class, has definitely placed incentives in this area. Bediako does not have the same trajectory or offensive consistency as a stretch or midrange shooter that James Wiseman displayed. However, there were examples in Precious Achiuwa’s development that could positively translate to Bediako’s success in Memphis.
It took time for Achiuwa to exhibit his best traits within the offense, but once he figured them out he truly excelled with the program. Bediako’s wide frame and ability on the block will help his immediate integration into the offensive gameplan. The Tigers have tons of perimeter shooting threats to compliment and space the floor for Bediako to excel down low. Penny no longer has Mike Miller on staff to help develop shooting consistency at every position, but he allows a ton of offensive freedom for his players to fight through growing pains and expand their game naturally.
Memphis created a bunch of turnovers on the floor last season, leading to plenty of fast break opportunities, but their effectiveness contesting shots was below average. Wiseman’s departure significantly reduced the inside defensive presence perimeter players were used to relying on in situations of dribble penetration. Bediako’s inside presence and ability to provide support in the midrange will be very beneficial to the team’s outlook and make the Tigers a much tougher team to defeat.