By ERIC BAILEY Sports Writer on Mar 8, 2012, at 9:30 AM Updated on 3/08 at 2:11 AM
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MEMPHIS – Tulsa has reached the win-or-go-home phase of its basketball season.
The Golden Hurricane will face Marshall in a 2:30 p.m. quarterfinal contest in the Conference USA Tournament.
It’s a tough matchup for the Hurricane, which defeated Marshall 79-70 earlier this season. The Thundering Herd will challenge Tulsa’s frontcourt with its physical brand of basketball.
Keys to watch in the contest:
--- The mental factor: How will Tulsa respond from last week’s disappointing losses to UAB and Memphis? The team has reiterated that it enters this tournament with a positive attitude and no hangover. The key will be seeing how the team reacts to any type of adversity against Marshall.
--- Rebounding will be important: Marshall is among the nation’s top 10 teams in rebounds. Tulsa held a plus-4 margin on the Herd in the last meeting, which is probably going to be a point of emphasis in Marshall’s scouting report. The Herd out-rebounded SMU 43-31 on Wednesday, with Dennis Tinnon grabbing 15 boards.
Tulsa’s post players will have to play tough in the paint. It’s an area where there has been inconsistency. The team will have to match the Herd’s physical style of play and, more important, stay out of foul trouble.
--- Nothing easy: The Hurricane has to play strong perimeter defense on all-conference players Damier Pitts and DeAndre Kane. Pitts can make things happen with the basketball and TU can’t allow him to control the game. Kane can get to the rim and the all-conference player
--- Points are at a premium: Tulsa has to not only shoot the basketball well, it has to make its free throws. Keep an eye on this statistic for both teams. Marshall shots only 60.8 percent from the charity stripe as a team. The Herd did make a season-high 82.1 percent (23-of-28) against Tulsa on Feb. 4.
--- Unexpected contributions: While Tim Peete and D.J. Magley are known for their defense, the Hurricane could use offense from the pair. Peete only has two double-figure scoring games in his last 17 outings, while Magley has only had 10 or more points twice this year.
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