Memphis Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Tigers
By Karl Heiser
Memphis Tigers Projected Starting Lineup
Memphis’ collection of players affords them the flexibility to do a lot of different things with their starting lineup. Here is one of the most likely rollouts I see Hardaway employing:
Lester Quinones – Guard
This starting spot is definitely a toss-up given the lack of true point guards on the Memphis roster, but I ultimately like Lester Quinones to get the nod here. The 6’5″ junior returns for his third season with the Tigers after posting 9.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game last season while shooting 43.2% from the field and 40.0% from three-point range. Quinones is a phenomenal defender who will likely be called on to guard the opposing team’s best player on most nights.
Overall, Quinones’ shooting and defensive versatility should make him an integral part of Hardaway’s game plan this season. After starting the last two seasons and making an All-AAC Freshman Team, he should have the trust of the coaching staff to get a large share of minutes at the guard spot. Returning point guard Alex Lomax will also feature as an offensive facilitator, but I like Quinones’ defense to land him the bigger role.
Landers Nolley – Guard
Landers Nolley is an important returning piece for this Tigers team after leading the team in scoring last season at 13.1 points per game. He seriously improved his long-range shooting last season, jumping from 31.6% to 38.7%. Nolley ended the season as the 2021 NIT MVP. Even with two elite five-star prospects entering the fold, he should expect to get a fair amount of shots after getting six three-point attempts per game over the last two years.
Nolley may not be the featured player in this year’s Memphis offense, but he will still be a valuable piece – especially if he can take a further step in his efficiency.
Emoni Bates – Forward
Emoni Bates is one of the primary reasons this team can survive without a true point guard in the starting five. Word on the street is that Penny Hardaway is considering giving Bates some point-forward duties. Whether or not he assumes such a role, his ability to play on-ball and initiate the offense will give Memphis a ton of versatility for their offensive sets. The freshman also possesses the length and enough defensive ability to fit well into the team’s defensive identity.
Bates has the talent to completely take over a game. While he may not be the once-in-a-generation talent he was hyped up to be as a 15-year-old, he will still be excellent and his elite skillset will shine for the Tigers this season.
DeAndre Williams – Forward
DeAndre Williams might not be the most talented player on this roster, but he is arguably the most important. The 6’9″ forward is extremely versatile. He scores efficiently, makes smart passes, grabs boards, and defends well. Williams will be the “glue guy” for this team, and he has the opportunity to thrive as opposing defenses key in on Bates and Duren.
He scored 11.7 points per game last season, and while this number may not move up by very much with the rest of the roster being what it is, this Memphis team will be better with Williams on the floor.
Jalen Duren – Center
Jalen Duren is going to be a problem, plain and simple. The No. 5 overall prospect in the freshman class brings physicality and defensive versatility to the Tigers. While he will typically play as a rim protector, Duren has the agility to switch onto perimeter players. His skillset further adds to the lockdown defensive potential of Hardaway’s squad.
Essentially all of Duren’s offensive touches will come close to the basket as his style of play is more in the mold of a traditional big. With the versatile defense and high-level rebounding he provides, any offensive impact he brings is a bonus. He will be useful as a rim-runner and lob threat with a post-game and midrange shot to boot. While Bates is probably the name most fans will have heard entering the season, Duren is also an elite freshman talent to watch.