Guards
St. Mary's senior Matthew Dellavedova is among the best point guards in the nation, averaging 15.8 points and 6.5 assists. He also was the starting point guard for the Australian Olympic team last year and is capable of willing the Gaels to victory. Junior PG Joe Jackson (13.6 points, 4.8 assists) leads the Tigers, but he'll give up a lot of size to Dellavedova. Redshirt freshman Jordan Giusti , a walk-on, will start in place of St. Mary’s Jorden Page (knee), which will make this matchup closer to even.
Edge: Saint Mary’s
Frontcourt
Memphis plays fast and above the rim, and its forwards are freakishly athletic. D.J. Stephens leads with 2.4 blocks. Stephens, Adonis Thomas and Shaq Goodwin all crash the boards and are difficult to stop in transition. Brad Waldow is the best big man for Saint Mary’s, averaging 10 points and 6.1 rebounds on 59.4 percent shooting. But he and Mitchell Young will struggle to keep up with Memphis’ speed.
Edge: Memphis
Bench
Saint Mary’s bench goes a bit deeper thanMemphis’, but the Tigers rely more on their reserves than the Gaels do. Junior G Chris Crawford (10.7 points) shoots 41 percent from 3-point range. The top bench player for the Gaels is F Beau Levesque (10.7 points, 4.4 rebounds).
Edge: Memphis
Coaches
Memphis coach Josh Pastner is a young, passionate and frustrated with the disrespect Conference USA has received. He’ll have the Tigers ready to play their fast style against a Gaels team that likes to slow it down and let Matthew Dellavedova find openings for himself or teammates. Saint Mary’s coach Randy Bennett ’s task is to have his team play efficient enough to overcome Memphis’ quick-strike offense.
Edge: Saint Mary’s
Prediction
Memphis 71-62
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