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.

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.