Ok, March Madness here we go……………
Man, the NCAA Selection Committee didn’t do Memphis any favors this year. I guess they too got tired of hearing that Memphis only played one team from the power conferences (Texas A&M) in their six victories over the past two seasons. Well, the committee pretty much guaranteed Memphis they will have to drive through all the power conferences this year.
Look at the likely matchups -
the Mississippi State Bulldogs from the SEC or the Oregon Ducks of the Pac 10 in the 2nd round,
Either the Big East’s Pitt Panthers or the Big 10’s Michigan State Spartans in the Sweet 16, and then
Either the Big 12’s Texas Longhorns or the Pac 10’s Stanford Cardinal.
Hello, that this a tough road to San Antonio.
And, I haven’t even brought up the fact that Memphis might have to face Texas in Houston in the Elite 8, but let’s not get to far ahead of ourselves.
First things first - Texas Arlington.
I’ll do a preview of Texas Arlington, Mississippi State and Oregon tomorrow.
By the way, I think Memphis has at least saved the best for last. During their last four games (UAB to end the season and the C-USA tournament) they have probably played their best basketball of the season.
If the Tigers can get solid offensive production out of Antonio Anderson (their 4th option offensively), they will be a real problem for anyone in the country. Anderson’s 19 points in the C-USA final against Tulsa was a real surprise and he did it going 3 for 4 from the 3 point line. When Antonion goes straight up with his feet tight together, he is fairly accurate.
More on Tuesday.
2 comments:
Interesting article in the Commercial Appeal.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/mar/19/hard-sell/
Plaschke doesn't think Calipari is much of a game coach, based
"on what he saw when Memphis lost to UCLA in a 2006 Elite Eight game in Oakland, Calif. Calipari's then-newly installed offense sputtered in a 50-45 loss that propelled UCLA to the first of two straight Final Fours."
"Having watched UCLA and Ben Howland all these years, we're used to seeing a more disciplined and a more thought-oriented offense," Plaschke said. "It seemed to me, in that game, that Memphis did not run one offensive play. That's the impression they gave. It was run up and down the floor and then drive to the basket. If that doesn't work, give it to the next guy and then the next guy."
that's actually what they practice. it's calipari's plan A and plan B.
when you see it on the court, it surely DOES look like they "lack" an offensive plan.
g.
I sort of agree with him. I don't think Cal is a good bench coach and I don't think Memphis' offense is organized "plays". It looks to me like a system designed to provide shot opportunities. The vast majority of the time it works (assuming good athletes are running it, or good outside shooters are involved). Memphis looks bad when the shots aren't falling and they can't drive against really big, defenders - aka UCLA (2006) and Ohio State (2007).
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