Memphis relieved Almodovar escaped unscathed after 'ugly' post-dunk fall

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Memphis coach Penny Hardaway had one crucial piece of advice for senior guard Luke Almodovar after slamming backward onto the court at Memorial Gym on Tuesday night.

Hold onto the rim when throwing down a dunk.

"You can't let that rim go," Hardaway said. "Just the way he jumped, a lot of momentum going forward. You got to keep the rim, fell and kind of hit the back of his head. It's an ugly fall, but just good to see him come back out on the court."

The nasty fall Hardaway spoke about came with 10:27 left in a 105-81 loss to No. 22 Vanderbilt. Almodovar silenced the gym when he went up high and dunked only to land awkwardly on his head with such a thud that silenced the gym.