Defense! Defense! Tigers finish first nationally

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – During a season in which the University of Memphis men's basketball team battled its share of obstacles, one constant remained from start to abrupt finish.

The Tigers, under second-year coach Penny Hardaway, never took their collective eyes off the basketball while playing defense.

Memphis ended the season as the nation's top-ranked field goal-percentage defensive team, limiting its opponents to 36.1 percent shooting. Virginia, a traditionally strong defensive program, finished second at 36.9 percent.

Opponents also struggled against the Tigers from long range, shooting 28 percent (193-of-690) from 3-point distance. That percentage ranked fifth nationally.

The UofM held five of its final seven opponents to 35 percent or less shooting. During the season, only six foes shot 43 percent or better.

The Tigers also ranked No. 5 nationally in blocked shots per game (5.9).

Memphis finished the season with a 21-10 record, ending with a loss at nationally ranked Houston. The American Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Championship was not held March 12-15 in Fort Worth, Texas, because of concerns surrounding the spread of the coronavirus.

University of Memphis Athletics

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