In fact, Memphis basketball coach Penny Hardaway was first tempted to reinsert the gifted big man back into the starting lineup before the Tigers’ win over Ole Miss on Dec. 28. But he second-guessed himself and opted to stick with the status quo until further notice.

Hardaway has a long-held, deep-seated belief that Memphis does not get the same benefit of the doubt that many other programs around the country do. The Tigers still have one of the more decorated March Madness resumès in the nation, with five Quad 1 wins, a 9-3 record in Quads 1 and 2, and just one loss outside the first two quadrants.

So, he started pushing buttons. Hardaway dialed up the defensive pressure, but Temple was ready for it. He went with a four-guard lineup next, but all that did was dig a deeper rebounding hole. He tried to account for it with more shooters on the floor, but they weren’t hitting.