NCAA Basketball: Biggest takeaways from 2020 Crossover Classic Tournament

Memphis Tigers (4th place)

Guards Boogie Ellis and Landers Nolley had a pair of great individual games, along with forward DJ Jeffries (17 points) in the finale against VCU. However, Memphis couldn’t get another second scorer in any of those games, which is why they left with a 1-2 overall record.

The defense was solid but the offense was widely inconsistent and heavy on isolation-ball. Five-star freshman Moussa Cisse looks to be more of a work in progress than an instant star, which hurts their ability to have a balanced offense. Ellis and Nolley will need to be double-digit scorers almost every game to win against legitimate foes.

VCU Rams (3rd place)

Outside of the winner of the tournament, no team impressed more than the Rams. They got a pair of great wins (Memphis and Utah State) and showcased the hard-nosed defensive intensity that has wreak havoc in this part of the early season.

Guard Nah’Shon Hyland has looked like as star as expected but the rest of the roster has all contributed at some point in these games. Vince Williams Jr. has emerged as a legit second option, while everyone else has chipped in between 4-8 points. If the defense remains at a high level, VCU will be a bigger threat in the Atlantic 10 than originally expected.