Memphis Head Coach John Calipari
"I liked our effort. I liked the fact that we played fast and had 12 turnovers. There are still some things I'm sure I will see on the tape that I won't like. But, defensively we did some good things, and we broke down a few times. The biggest thing I saw was that we need to do a better job rebounding the ball. Against good teams, you can't give up two and three shots at the basket. That's what we did, especially in the first half.
At the end of the first half, I told them that we gave them too many opportunities to rebound the ball. I thought Jeremy Hunt played well. I thought Antonio does what he does, he goes out and plays. Poor Willie (Kemp) was 1-for-9 from the floor and missed like seven lay-ups, and I'm half laughing at him. But, he didn't stop. He tips a ball away and gets five assists in the first half. I could tell after shoot-around, he was feeling it.
I just told them it's a business trip. Last year, we had the same kind of trip and we took care of business. We put ourselves in a position so, that by the end of the year, we could do what we did. This is going to be harder. It's three days of games against three teams that all could beat us. These are teams that, if we play too fast and we can't get them playing fast, it becomes a bit of a UCLA (NCAA Tournament) game for us.
Jackson State Head Coach Tevester Anderson
"Memphis has a very outstanding basketball team. They play good offense and defense. When you get 56 rebounds and 26 are offensive rebounds, you are doing something right. Our guys hung in there and played hard. We did the best we could, but I have to tip my hat to the University of Memphis.
In the second half, Memphis really turned it on. John Calipari knew we played seven games (tough schedule) back-to-back and knew we were exhausted, and Memphis took advantage. Memphis shot the ball well tonight (they have good shooters) and our defense was not as good as it has been. "
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Memphis Dominates Jackson State 111-69
No. 13 Memphis Dominates Jackson State, 111-69
Chris Douglas-Roberts scores 21 points to lead six Memphis players in double figures.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Chris Douglas-Roberts scored 21 points to lead six Memphis players in double figures in the No. 13 Tigers' 111-69 rout over Jackson State on Thursday night.
Memphis (1-0) never trailed in the game, led by as many as 23 in the first half and continued to build the advantage after the break.
Jeremy Hunt scored 16 for Memphis, while Doneal Mack added 14, and Robert Dozier had 13 points before fouling out.
Trey Johnson, the preseason Southwestern Athletic Conference player of the year, scored 32 points to lead Jackson State (0-4). Julius Young added 11 and Grant Maxey had 10.
Memphis forced Jackson State into 21 turnovers and outrebounded them 56-40, including 26 on the offensive end.
Johnson scored 12 of his 16 first-half points in the first 11 minutes as Jackson State was able to stay close. But Memphis was able to extend its lead as Mack hit consecutive 3-pointers. The Tigers shot 49 percent in the first half and led 54-33 at the break.
Willie Kemp had a tough shooting night, going 2-for-13 from the field, including 1-for-7 from 3-point range. Memphis was 15-for-36 from behind the arc and 16-for-31 from the free throw line.
Jackson State was 28-for-33 from the foul line, but 1-for-10 from behind the arc.
Chris Douglas-Roberts scores 21 points to lead six Memphis players in double figures.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Chris Douglas-Roberts scored 21 points to lead six Memphis players in double figures in the No. 13 Tigers' 111-69 rout over Jackson State on Thursday night.
Memphis (1-0) never trailed in the game, led by as many as 23 in the first half and continued to build the advantage after the break.
Jeremy Hunt scored 16 for Memphis, while Doneal Mack added 14, and Robert Dozier had 13 points before fouling out.
Trey Johnson, the preseason Southwestern Athletic Conference player of the year, scored 32 points to lead Jackson State (0-4). Julius Young added 11 and Grant Maxey had 10.
Memphis forced Jackson State into 21 turnovers and outrebounded them 56-40, including 26 on the offensive end.
Johnson scored 12 of his 16 first-half points in the first 11 minutes as Jackson State was able to stay close. But Memphis was able to extend its lead as Mack hit consecutive 3-pointers. The Tigers shot 49 percent in the first half and led 54-33 at the break.
Willie Kemp had a tough shooting night, going 2-for-13 from the field, including 1-for-7 from 3-point range. Memphis was 15-for-36 from behind the arc and 16-for-31 from the free throw line.
Jackson State was 28-for-33 from the foul line, but 1-for-10 from behind the arc.
Memphis Announces 2007 Signing Class
Memphis Basketball Announces 2007 Signing Class
Morris twins, Robinson, Rose sign to play with the Tigers.
Memphis Head Coach John Calipari Comments:"We are announcing our complete signing class today that includes Jeff Robinson, Derrick Rose and Marcus and Markieff Morris. Now, we're done with signing players, and I can focus on this year's team.
We've had some good recruiting classes here, but you have to wait and see how it plays out (when they get to campus). All four kids are terrific young people and great players.
At this point, it's up in the air (whether the Morris twins will come to Memphis or go to prep school next year). If they want to go to prep school, I will tell them the pros and cons and support the decision they make. But that is down the road. We're happy they want to come here and we want them here. Their mom is the best, and when the family came on its visit, they all said they were comfortable here and felt at home in our city and on our campus. That made me feel good.
I believe Derrick is the best high school player in the country because he makes everyone he plays with better. Derrick has the size, athleticism and skill, but you add to that his competitiveness and attitude and `whoa.' I don't like to rate and compare players against each other, but if he's not the best, he's right there with the best."
Marcus Morris 6-7/215/ForwardPhiladelphia, Pa.Prep Charter
May attend prep school next year, along with his brother Markeiff ... A national top-100 recruit ... Rated the No. 47 player in the nation by Rivals.com (for the Class of 2008) ... Also rated the No. 18 power forward in the country by Rivals.com (for Class of 2008) ... Scout.com rated him the nation's No. 13 small forward ... Ranked the No. 71 player in the country by SI.com ... Averaged 15.0 points in 2005-06 for Prep Charter ... Named to the 2006 Associated Press Class AA second team ... Helped lead Prep Charter to a 28-5 record and the 2006 PIAA Class AA state crown ... The title is the first-ever state championship by a Philadelphia charter school in any sport ... Recorded 10 points, eight assists and four blocked shots in the state title win over Beaver Falls.
Markieff Morris 6-8/225/ForwardPhiladelphia, Pa.Prep Charter
May attend prep school next year, along with his brother Marcus ... A national top-100 recruit ... Ranked the No. 82 player in the country by SI.com ... Rated the No. 93 player in the nation by Rivals.com (for the Class of 2008) ... Also rated the No. 29 power forward in the country by Rivals.com (for Class of 2008) ... Helped lead Prep Charter to a 28-5 record and the 2006 PIAA Class AA state crown ... The title is the first-ever state championship by a Philadelphia charter school in any sport ... Recorded 10 points and nine rebounds in the state title win over Beaver Falls.
Jeff Robinson 6-5/205/ForwardElizabeth, N.J.St. Patrick HS
A national top-100 recruit ... Ranked the No. 65 player in the country by SI.com ... Rated the No. 94 player in the nation by Rivals.com ... Also rated the No. 24 small forward in the country by Rivals.com ... Scout.com ranked him the No. 15 small forward in the country ... Named to the 2006 Star-Ledger All-Union second team and the paper's All-Junior first team ... St. Patrick's was named the 2005-06 Star-Ledger Team of the Year ... St. Patrick's posted a 29-4 record in 2005-06 and finished the year ranked No. 1 in the Star-Ledger rankings ... Helped lead squad to third T of C title with a 61-54 win over Linden ... Rated the No. 7 player in the New York/New Jersey/Delaware area by metrohoops.com.
Derrick Rose 6-4/194/GuardChicago, Ill.Chicago Simeon HS
A consensus national top-10 recruit ... Rivals.com No. 3 player in the country ... Rivals.com No. 1 point guard ... As a junior in 2005-06, averaged 20 points, eight rebounds and eight assists ... Helped lead Simeon to the 2006 Illinois Class AA state title ... Rivals.com also rated him as the player with the most speed in the class of 2007 ... Scout.com rated him the country's No. 6 player and the nation's No. 2 point guard ... Ranked the nation's No. 5 player by SI.com.
Morris twins, Robinson, Rose sign to play with the Tigers.
Memphis Head Coach John Calipari Comments:"We are announcing our complete signing class today that includes Jeff Robinson, Derrick Rose and Marcus and Markieff Morris. Now, we're done with signing players, and I can focus on this year's team.
We've had some good recruiting classes here, but you have to wait and see how it plays out (when they get to campus). All four kids are terrific young people and great players.
At this point, it's up in the air (whether the Morris twins will come to Memphis or go to prep school next year). If they want to go to prep school, I will tell them the pros and cons and support the decision they make. But that is down the road. We're happy they want to come here and we want them here. Their mom is the best, and when the family came on its visit, they all said they were comfortable here and felt at home in our city and on our campus. That made me feel good.
I believe Derrick is the best high school player in the country because he makes everyone he plays with better. Derrick has the size, athleticism and skill, but you add to that his competitiveness and attitude and `whoa.' I don't like to rate and compare players against each other, but if he's not the best, he's right there with the best."
Marcus Morris 6-7/215/ForwardPhiladelphia, Pa.Prep Charter
May attend prep school next year, along with his brother Markeiff ... A national top-100 recruit ... Rated the No. 47 player in the nation by Rivals.com (for the Class of 2008) ... Also rated the No. 18 power forward in the country by Rivals.com (for Class of 2008) ... Scout.com rated him the nation's No. 13 small forward ... Ranked the No. 71 player in the country by SI.com ... Averaged 15.0 points in 2005-06 for Prep Charter ... Named to the 2006 Associated Press Class AA second team ... Helped lead Prep Charter to a 28-5 record and the 2006 PIAA Class AA state crown ... The title is the first-ever state championship by a Philadelphia charter school in any sport ... Recorded 10 points, eight assists and four blocked shots in the state title win over Beaver Falls.
Markieff Morris 6-8/225/ForwardPhiladelphia, Pa.Prep Charter
May attend prep school next year, along with his brother Marcus ... A national top-100 recruit ... Ranked the No. 82 player in the country by SI.com ... Rated the No. 93 player in the nation by Rivals.com (for the Class of 2008) ... Also rated the No. 29 power forward in the country by Rivals.com (for Class of 2008) ... Helped lead Prep Charter to a 28-5 record and the 2006 PIAA Class AA state crown ... The title is the first-ever state championship by a Philadelphia charter school in any sport ... Recorded 10 points and nine rebounds in the state title win over Beaver Falls.
Jeff Robinson 6-5/205/ForwardElizabeth, N.J.St. Patrick HS
A national top-100 recruit ... Ranked the No. 65 player in the country by SI.com ... Rated the No. 94 player in the nation by Rivals.com ... Also rated the No. 24 small forward in the country by Rivals.com ... Scout.com ranked him the No. 15 small forward in the country ... Named to the 2006 Star-Ledger All-Union second team and the paper's All-Junior first team ... St. Patrick's was named the 2005-06 Star-Ledger Team of the Year ... St. Patrick's posted a 29-4 record in 2005-06 and finished the year ranked No. 1 in the Star-Ledger rankings ... Helped lead squad to third T of C title with a 61-54 win over Linden ... Rated the No. 7 player in the New York/New Jersey/Delaware area by metrohoops.com.
Derrick Rose 6-4/194/GuardChicago, Ill.Chicago Simeon HS
A consensus national top-10 recruit ... Rivals.com No. 3 player in the country ... Rivals.com No. 1 point guard ... As a junior in 2005-06, averaged 20 points, eight rebounds and eight assists ... Helped lead Simeon to the 2006 Illinois Class AA state title ... Rivals.com also rated him as the player with the most speed in the class of 2007 ... Scout.com rated him the country's No. 6 player and the nation's No. 2 point guard ... Ranked the nation's No. 5 player by SI.com.
Ok Memphis Fans, Let's Not Start With the "Memphis Inferiority Complex" Again
Yes, Sports Illustrated screwed up.
Yes, it will be fun to poke fun at Luke Winn and staff all season long.
Let's just give them reason to regret their mistake.
Does Memphis not get the respect it deserves? Maybe. I seriously doubt leaving North Carolina or Kansas off of their field of 65 would have made it though the editor's staff, but leaving Memphis off the list did.
In some ways this is a function of the fan base. The Tiger Nation must demand to be recognized. It must grow and the fan base must be LOUD!!!!!!!!
I imagine if this had happened to Kansas, Luke Winn's computer would have shut down with email overload - so there is your goal Tiger fans.
Yes, it will be fun to poke fun at Luke Winn and staff all season long.
Let's just give them reason to regret their mistake.
Does Memphis not get the respect it deserves? Maybe. I seriously doubt leaving North Carolina or Kansas off of their field of 65 would have made it though the editor's staff, but leaving Memphis off the list did.
In some ways this is a function of the fan base. The Tiger Nation must demand to be recognized. It must grow and the fan base must be LOUD!!!!!!!!
I imagine if this had happened to Kansas, Luke Winn's computer would have shut down with email overload - so there is your goal Tiger fans.
Who Will Emerge as the Tigers Go-To Guy?
On deep, talented Tiger roster, go-to player must emerge
By Dan Wolken
November 16, 2006
Scan those preseason magazines for their list of the top 20 power forwards in the nation. Rest assured, University of Memphis sophomore Robert Dozier's name won't come up.
Go ahead and look for Joey Dorsey to be listed among the nation's elite centers or freshman Willie Kemp mentioned as one of the 25 best point guards. But it would be a waste of time.
Perhaps the most complimented player on this year's Tiger roster is sophomore guard Chris Douglas-Roberts. And that came by virtue of ESPN's Andy Katz, who listed him among the country's most underrated players. (If Douglas-Roberts was rated in the first place, he wouldn't have been on the list.)
And yet, as Memphis opens its season at FedExForum tonight against Jackson State, the Tigers are a consensus top-20 team, ranked No. 13 in the two major national polls.
But it's a bit of an anomaly that they enter the season ranked so highly without a player who is widely regarded as one of the country's best at his respective position.
So the question over the next four-plus months isn't whether Memphis has a signature star.
It's whether the Tigers will need one to meet the expectations that have been heaped on them locally and nationally.
"To be a good team, you have to have some guys that are considered stars," Douglas-Roberts said. "Whatever you want to call it, there has to be go-to guys on the team."
A number of times during the preseason, coach John Calipari has acknowledged that the defining issue for this team will be whether players who were in supporting roles last season can elevate their contributions and become stars.
Though it's been obvious in practice that Douglas-Roberts, Dozier and sophomore guard Antonio Anderson have separated themselves from the rest of the team in terms of star potential, the fact remains that none of them averaged 10 points per game last year.
Anderson, who Calipari has referred to in recent days as perhaps Memphis' best player, averaged 7.2 points and 3.4 rebounds as a freshman. He didn't get a sniff on Conference USA's preseason all-league team.
But there's been a feeling around the Finch Center that the lack of a marquee name could ultimately help the Tigers if they can define themselves as a team deep in very good players with different stars emerging depending on the opponent and the situation.
"We've got a lot of guys that are capable of going out and getting 20 on a given night," senior guard Jeremy Hunt said. "You never know where it's going to come from. If you've got one person on the team, the (opposition) is going to come in and focus on that one player.
"We've got a team full of guys that can score and can play. And it's hard to play a team like that. You never know who's going to get what that night. How are you going to hold everybody?"
It's a good question.
Last year, over Memphis' 37 games, six different players led Memphis in scoring, though Dorsey did it just once and Anderson twice.
This year, besides Memphis' starting five, it's easy to envision three or four reserves as potential leading scorers, including freshmen Pierre Niles and Doneal Mack.
"If there's numerous people that can score, it's a great thing," Douglas-Roberts said. "Teams that rely on one person -- if that person doesn't show up, they usually lose.
"So if I don't show up or if (Anderson) doesn't show up or (Dozier), we have Joey Dorsey, we have Pierre. So it's a great thing for us."
But who gets the ball at the end of the game when everything is on the line and making a clutch shot is the only option? Last year, it was Rodney Carney or Darius Washington, both of whom are now gone.
There's no obvious answer now.
"This is a totally different team, and that's fine," Calipari said. "I want them to take on their own personality."
Or perhaps it simply won't matter.
Perhaps Calipari's seventh Memphis team indeed is his deepest yet.
"We're all stars," Anderson said, "In Coach's eyes and in all of our eyes.
"We feel comfortable with everybody on the court. Everybody on this team is a superstar."
-- Dan Wolken: 529-2365
SI.com's Luke Winn's Mea Culpa - We Made a Mistake, We Left Memphis Off Our Field of 65
11/15/2006 12:03:00 AM
The Memphis Gaffe
Memphis fans: You're ticked. And I'm ticked too -- at myself. So I'm going to try to do the right thing and set the record straight: In the projected NCAA tournament field that appears in this week's SI preview issue, the Tigers were NOT intentionally left out of the Field of 65.
I, and everyone else in our college hoops gang, fully believe the Tigers are going to win the Conference USA. Handily win the C-USA. They were No. 13 in the Power Rankings I posted on the site in October, and were similarly ranked in the ballot I submitted this summer. (The rankings in the magazine are a collaborative effort, an internal poll of sorts -- they aren't solely my opinion.)
When I wrote the blurbs for the rest of the field, I mistakenly believed Memphis would be among the top 16 featured in our Scouting Reports ... and only put Houston, our No. 2 team from the C-USA, in the 17-65 section. I've spoken with our editors who read the piece and they too, confirmed that had the oversight been spotted, the Tigers would have been in the bracket. But this one is on me.
To recap: There is no SI conspiracy against Memphis. There was an honest mistake made (mine). And I'm sorry.
As an addendum, here are a few more specific replies to the hordes of irate e-mails that poured in tonight:
• No, I did not smoke crack and decide that Houston would win the C-USA.
• I'd appreciate it if you did not make good on your threat to use physical force if I ever set foot in FedEx Forum.
• I promise that hours and hours of work go into those tourney picks -- thorough research of each conference race, roster assessments, etc. -- and we do take them very seriously. And a mistake like this in SI is not acceptable. But I don't think being shot or banished from the college basketball world is a reasonable punishment.
The only bright side to this: You can brag to your less-informed friends that Memphis is your sleeper pick this year ... and when the Tigers make a Final Four run, claim to have known all along that, even though those "experts" at SI left them unranked, you knew Calipari and the boys had potential.
The Memphis Gaffe
Memphis fans: You're ticked. And I'm ticked too -- at myself. So I'm going to try to do the right thing and set the record straight: In the projected NCAA tournament field that appears in this week's SI preview issue, the Tigers were NOT intentionally left out of the Field of 65.
I, and everyone else in our college hoops gang, fully believe the Tigers are going to win the Conference USA. Handily win the C-USA. They were No. 13 in the Power Rankings I posted on the site in October, and were similarly ranked in the ballot I submitted this summer. (The rankings in the magazine are a collaborative effort, an internal poll of sorts -- they aren't solely my opinion.)
When I wrote the blurbs for the rest of the field, I mistakenly believed Memphis would be among the top 16 featured in our Scouting Reports ... and only put Houston, our No. 2 team from the C-USA, in the 17-65 section. I've spoken with our editors who read the piece and they too, confirmed that had the oversight been spotted, the Tigers would have been in the bracket. But this one is on me.
To recap: There is no SI conspiracy against Memphis. There was an honest mistake made (mine). And I'm sorry.
As an addendum, here are a few more specific replies to the hordes of irate e-mails that poured in tonight:
• No, I did not smoke crack and decide that Houston would win the C-USA.
• I'd appreciate it if you did not make good on your threat to use physical force if I ever set foot in FedEx Forum.
• I promise that hours and hours of work go into those tourney picks -- thorough research of each conference race, roster assessments, etc. -- and we do take them very seriously. And a mistake like this in SI is not acceptable. But I don't think being shot or banished from the college basketball world is a reasonable punishment.
The only bright side to this: You can brag to your less-informed friends that Memphis is your sleeper pick this year ... and when the Tigers make a Final Four run, claim to have known all along that, even though those "experts" at SI left them unranked, you knew Calipari and the boys had potential.
Illinois 76, Jackson State 55
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -With just two regular starters eligible to play, Illinois had to reach deep on its bench and ask for big minutes from inexperienced players in a 76-55 win over visiting Jackson State on Wednesday night.
Warren Carter led the Illini (2-0) with a career-high 16 points. Carter also had 15 rebounds and two blocked shots, playing 37 minutes.
Illinois' top returner from 2005-06, Rich McBride , is suspended following a drunk driving arrest in September. Forward Brian Randle missed the game after aggravating a groin injury against Austin Peay on Monday, when guard Jamar Smith also suffered a high ankle sprain that will keep him benched for a month or more.
Jackson State's Trey Johnson led the Tigers (0-3), who controlled the game for the first 20 minutes. Johnson collected 27 points on 9-for-28 shooting, padding it by making seven of 10 free throws.
The Tigers jumped to a 10-0 lead before Carter, a 6-9 senior playing small forward thanks to Illinois' skinny lineup, sunk a jumper to put his team on the board. Jackson State answered by building an 18-4 lead just 5:34 into the game, and Illinois struggled to make up the difference.
With the Illini in bonus just seven minutes into the game, the home team made good use of its trips to the free-throw line, going 8-for-12 in the first half. But Illinois still needed the full 20 minutes to recover, slowly clawing back until Chester Frazier 's last-second layup brought the score to 34-34 going into halftime.
Frazier, who averaged 13.4 minutes per game last season, played the entire game, contributing a career-high 14 points for Illinois. The sophomore point guard continued to struggle with his free-throw shooting, but had nine assists and seven rebounds.
Illinois returned from halftime with renewed confidence and opened second-half scoring with a jumper from Calvin Brock . Jackson State's Jeremy Caldwell answered with a bucket two minutes later, but Illinois' next shot - a clean 3-pointer from Frazier - re-energized the crowd and put Illinois back in the lead.
While Jackson State stayed in the game, Illinois never again lost momentum, improving to 17-of-23 shooting in the second half.
Jackson State Working -- and Traveling -- Hard for the
Jackson State working -- and traveling -- hard for the money
Nov. 15, 2006
By Gary Parrish CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
Tell Gary your opinion!
Tevester Anderson received the message, returned the call, and when I told him what I wanted to write about, the Jackson State coach joked, "You must think we're some stupid SOBs."
Stupid is such a harsh word.
How about some foolish SOBs?
"OK," Anderson said with a laugh. "You can call us foolish SOBs."
Wonderful.
Here goes: Jackson State is some foolish SOBs.
Or crazy SOBs.
Or suicidal SOBs.
Either way, the JSU Tigers are some well-traveled SOBs, bouncing around the nation the past few days while opening the college basketball season with a schedule that is unmatched in difficulty, not to mention boxed lunches. It started last Thursday, when they bused from Jackson, Miss., to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to open Friday against the 10th-ranked Crimson Tide. Next morning, Jackson State bused to Atlanta, practiced for two days and played No. 23 Georgia Tech on Monday before Tuesday flying to Chicago, which is when I caught up with those foolish SOBs.
"We're in one of the longest layovers in history," said Marcus Jones, a freshman center from Houston. "We're going to be here in the airport like five hours."
To pass the time, the Tigers ate, slept and even held a study session right there in the terminal. Finally, they caught their connection to Champaign, Ill., where Jackson State was, on Wednesday night, to play Illinois, then shower, sleep for roughly two hours and catch a Thursday morning flight back to Chicago. There, it's another layover -- this one will be short, however -- followed by a connection to Memphis, where these presumably jet-lagged and worn-down Tigers will, on Thursday night, play John Calipari's 13th-ranked Tigers.
Memphis typically runs and presses to tire its opponent. In this instance, it will be completely unnecessary, if not plain cruel, considering JSU will be playing its fourth road game -- third against a ranked team -- in a matter of seven days.
"You should try coordinating all this travel sometime," joked JSU assistant Eric Strothers. "It's like we're an NBA team."
Yeah, except NBA teams don't have layovers, coach seats or study sessions. And they play back-to-backs because the NBA office requires it, not because of their own doing, which is a necessity for Jackson State, but not for RPI and strength-of-schedule purposes. Truth is, JSU is going through this nightmare for the same reason Florida Atlantic opened its football season with games at Clemson, Kansas State, Oklahoma State and South Carolina, for the same reason a single mother might work two jobs, for the same reason it appears O.J. Simpson is about to sorta-kinda admit he killed his ex-wife.
Money.
It's the root of all evil.
It's the cause of all scheduling woes.
"We're always going to have to play money games," Anderson acknowledged. "As long as we're at Jackson State, we're going to have to play a schedule like this."
According to Anderson, JSU is getting anywhere between $50,000 and 60,000 for each of these first four games, and because much of the travel was by bus, the net profit is significant. So though the Tigers took a 31-point beating at Alabama and 30-point loss at Georgia Tech, they were happy for the opportunity, and it's that opportunity -- that once-in-a-life-time/four-times-in-a-week opportunity -- that Anderson has turned into a motivator to help keep moral high despite the defeats and a road schedule that will, after Memphis, also take Jackson State to Rutgers (Nov. 21), Savannah State (Nov. 24), Southeast Louisiana (Nov. 28), UC Davis (Dec. 2) and Tulsa (Dec. 4) before the initial home game against Tougaloo (Dec. 18).
"I asked the players, 'Would you like to play a Georgia Tech? An Illinois? An Alabama? A Memphis? You want to play a good schedule. So let's go play them. Let's go compete against the big boys,'" Anderson said. "It can be a great experience for our guys, and as long as they don't get beat down -- and I don't think they will -- then it's only going to make us better. It's like they say, what doesn't kill you will make you stronger."
Which is true, of course.
But direct flights and first-class upgrades are also nice.
Even for a bunch of SOBs.
Nov. 15, 2006
By Gary Parrish CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
Tell Gary your opinion!
Tevester Anderson received the message, returned the call, and when I told him what I wanted to write about, the Jackson State coach joked, "You must think we're some stupid SOBs."
Stupid is such a harsh word.
How about some foolish SOBs?
"OK," Anderson said with a laugh. "You can call us foolish SOBs."
Wonderful.
Here goes: Jackson State is some foolish SOBs.
Or crazy SOBs.
Or suicidal SOBs.
Either way, the JSU Tigers are some well-traveled SOBs, bouncing around the nation the past few days while opening the college basketball season with a schedule that is unmatched in difficulty, not to mention boxed lunches. It started last Thursday, when they bused from Jackson, Miss., to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to open Friday against the 10th-ranked Crimson Tide. Next morning, Jackson State bused to Atlanta, practiced for two days and played No. 23 Georgia Tech on Monday before Tuesday flying to Chicago, which is when I caught up with those foolish SOBs.
"We're in one of the longest layovers in history," said Marcus Jones, a freshman center from Houston. "We're going to be here in the airport like five hours."
To pass the time, the Tigers ate, slept and even held a study session right there in the terminal. Finally, they caught their connection to Champaign, Ill., where Jackson State was, on Wednesday night, to play Illinois, then shower, sleep for roughly two hours and catch a Thursday morning flight back to Chicago. There, it's another layover -- this one will be short, however -- followed by a connection to Memphis, where these presumably jet-lagged and worn-down Tigers will, on Thursday night, play John Calipari's 13th-ranked Tigers.
Memphis typically runs and presses to tire its opponent. In this instance, it will be completely unnecessary, if not plain cruel, considering JSU will be playing its fourth road game -- third against a ranked team -- in a matter of seven days.
"You should try coordinating all this travel sometime," joked JSU assistant Eric Strothers. "It's like we're an NBA team."
Yeah, except NBA teams don't have layovers, coach seats or study sessions. And they play back-to-backs because the NBA office requires it, not because of their own doing, which is a necessity for Jackson State, but not for RPI and strength-of-schedule purposes. Truth is, JSU is going through this nightmare for the same reason Florida Atlantic opened its football season with games at Clemson, Kansas State, Oklahoma State and South Carolina, for the same reason a single mother might work two jobs, for the same reason it appears O.J. Simpson is about to sorta-kinda admit he killed his ex-wife.
Money.
It's the root of all evil.
It's the cause of all scheduling woes.
"We're always going to have to play money games," Anderson acknowledged. "As long as we're at Jackson State, we're going to have to play a schedule like this."
According to Anderson, JSU is getting anywhere between $50,000 and 60,000 for each of these first four games, and because much of the travel was by bus, the net profit is significant. So though the Tigers took a 31-point beating at Alabama and 30-point loss at Georgia Tech, they were happy for the opportunity, and it's that opportunity -- that once-in-a-life-time/four-times-in-a-week opportunity -- that Anderson has turned into a motivator to help keep moral high despite the defeats and a road schedule that will, after Memphis, also take Jackson State to Rutgers (Nov. 21), Savannah State (Nov. 24), Southeast Louisiana (Nov. 28), UC Davis (Dec. 2) and Tulsa (Dec. 4) before the initial home game against Tougaloo (Dec. 18).
"I asked the players, 'Would you like to play a Georgia Tech? An Illinois? An Alabama? A Memphis? You want to play a good schedule. So let's go play them. Let's go compete against the big boys,'" Anderson said. "It can be a great experience for our guys, and as long as they don't get beat down -- and I don't think they will -- then it's only going to make us better. It's like they say, what doesn't kill you will make you stronger."
Which is true, of course.
But direct flights and first-class upgrades are also nice.
Even for a bunch of SOBs.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Review of Cal's Interview on WHBQ 560 Radio Today
Cal was on with George Lapides and Jeff Caulkins on WHBQ 560 radio this morning. There were a couple of interesting comments made by the coach.
1) He stressed he wished the Tigers has already played a game. Many D1 programs have already played 2 or 3 games. The Tigers will only have 1 game under their belt when they start the Maui Classic on Monday.
2) Cal said that there is a greater separation between the "old" guys and the "new" guys this year. He noted that this year's new players are true freshman with the exception of Pierre Niles. Last year's crop of Freshman all had played a year of prep school ball except CDR. As such, I believe Cal thinks he will have play more minutes with Antonio, CDR, Dozier and Dorsey than he would like.
3) Cal praised Willie Kemp as a "great" all around kid, who is very coachable and always does what is asked of him. He also noted that Willie is probably shooting the ball better than everyone else on the team.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Jackson State Falls to Georgia Tech 100-70, Will Play at Illinois on Wednesday and Memphis on Thursday
Georgia Tech Jackets' trio overpowers Johnson & Co. (Jackson State)
The Associated Press
What: Jackson State at Illinois
When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
ATLANTA — Jackson State's lone star was no match for Georgia Tech's "Fab Three" on Monday night.
The Yellow Jackets trio had another easy night in a 100-70 win over the Tigers. And they want to change their nickname.
"The Fab Three,"' Zach Peacock said, shaking his head, "isn't very original."
Peacock and fellow freshmen Thaddeus Young and Javaris Crittenton were among six players in double figures for the 23rd-ranked Yellow Jackets, who raced past Jackson State 100-70 at Alexander Memorial Coliseum.
Sophomore Lewis Clinch led Georgia Tech with 16 points.
Senior Trey Johnson was basically a one-man show for the Tigers (0-2), with 33 points, but he couldn't prevent his team from suffering its second blowout loss to start the season. The Tigers were coming off a 96-65 loss at No. 10 Alabama, starting a stretch of 10 straight road games to begin the season. JSU doesn't play at home until Dec. 18.
Georgia Tech, meanwhile, put all three of its star freshmen right in the lineup after going 11-17 last season. So far, so good.
The Yellow Jackets (2-0) have blown out two straight overmatched opponents, following up an 83-49 rout over Elon with another dominating performance. Young and Peacock each had 14 points, while Crittenton, the point guard, chipped in 12 points and 10 assists.
"Their athleticism showed up," JSU coach Tevester Anderson said. "They are very good athletes, they pound it inside a lot and they're just tough to spot up when they're pounding it inside."
The only tense moment for the Yellow Jackets came with about 7 1/2 minutes remaining. Crittenton went up for a dunk and was slammed to the court by Grant Maxey, who was called for an intentional foul.
Crittenton remained down for a few seconds, then hopped up to shoot two free throws.
"It was a little scary," he said. "I felt like a bus hit me."
Said Tech coach Paul Hewitt: "I'm not going to tell you what I was thinking. Let's just say I was glad he was OK."
The Associated Press
What: Jackson State at Illinois
When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
ATLANTA — Jackson State's lone star was no match for Georgia Tech's "Fab Three" on Monday night.
The Yellow Jackets trio had another easy night in a 100-70 win over the Tigers. And they want to change their nickname.
"The Fab Three,"' Zach Peacock said, shaking his head, "isn't very original."
Peacock and fellow freshmen Thaddeus Young and Javaris Crittenton were among six players in double figures for the 23rd-ranked Yellow Jackets, who raced past Jackson State 100-70 at Alexander Memorial Coliseum.
Sophomore Lewis Clinch led Georgia Tech with 16 points.
Senior Trey Johnson was basically a one-man show for the Tigers (0-2), with 33 points, but he couldn't prevent his team from suffering its second blowout loss to start the season. The Tigers were coming off a 96-65 loss at No. 10 Alabama, starting a stretch of 10 straight road games to begin the season. JSU doesn't play at home until Dec. 18.
Georgia Tech, meanwhile, put all three of its star freshmen right in the lineup after going 11-17 last season. So far, so good.
The Yellow Jackets (2-0) have blown out two straight overmatched opponents, following up an 83-49 rout over Elon with another dominating performance. Young and Peacock each had 14 points, while Crittenton, the point guard, chipped in 12 points and 10 assists.
"Their athleticism showed up," JSU coach Tevester Anderson said. "They are very good athletes, they pound it inside a lot and they're just tough to spot up when they're pounding it inside."
The only tense moment for the Yellow Jackets came with about 7 1/2 minutes remaining. Crittenton went up for a dunk and was slammed to the court by Grant Maxey, who was called for an intentional foul.
Crittenton remained down for a few seconds, then hopped up to shoot two free throws.
"It was a little scary," he said. "I felt like a bus hit me."
Said Tech coach Paul Hewitt: "I'm not going to tell you what I was thinking. Let's just say I was glad he was OK."
Jackson (MS) Clarion Ledger Preview of the Jackson State Tigers
Jackson State Tigers put SWAC hopes on Johnson's shoulders
David Brandt, Jackson (MS) Clarion Ledger
It's the year of senior Trey Johnson, who will use his scoring prowess and all-around game to lead Jackson State in its quest for a Southwestern Athletic Conference title.
Johnson scored 23.5 points per game as a junior and is this season's SWAC preseason player of the year. But as a senior, Johnson said he's trying to become more than a scorer.
"It's my job to put points on the board - I realize that," Johnson said. "But I also want to be more of a playmaker and get my teammates involved. That's how I think we'll win games this season."
The 6-foot-5 shooting guard scored 36 points in Friday night's season opener against No. 11 Alabama. But the rest of the team scored just 29 points and the Tigers lost 96-65.
Johnson was 11-of-30 shooting from the field.
"This was not my best game," Johnson said in a statement released by the school. "It's not all about scoring. I could have done more."
Johnson should have plenty of scoring options around him, including senior Julius Young (9.1 points per game last season) and sophomore center Jeremy Caldwell (5.8).
JSU coach Tevester Anderson said the offense should run through Caldwell. At 6-foot-8, he's an active rebounder and the Tigers' best post-up option.
"Our goal is to get him as many touches as we can," Anderson said. "When we get him going that opens up the outside shooting for guys like Trey and Catraiva Givens."
The development of Givens will be of main concern this season. The 5-foot-8 point guard was handed the full-time starting job after Charlie White was kicked out of school last month because of weapons charges.
Givens averaged 3.8 points, but shot just 29.5 percent from the field while splitting time with White last season.
- David Brandt, Jackson (MS) Clarion Ledger
JACKSON STATE
05-06: 15-17 overall, 10-8 SWAC
Coach: Tevester Anderson, 41-49 in 4 seasons at JSU
Projected starting lineup ('05-06 statistics)
Player, Pos, Yr, Ht, Wt, PPG, RPG
Catraiva Givens, G, Jr., 5-8, 165, 3.8, 1.8
Trey Johnson, G, Sr., 6-5, 215, 23.5, 4.8
Julius Young, F, Sr., 6-6, 185, 9.1, 3.6
Edwin Jarrow, F, Jr., 6-6, 175, 0.8, 0.9
Jeremy Caldwell, C, So., 6-8, 200, 5.2, 4.5
Good Vibes
Jackson State has a true star in Trey Johnson, who will be good for around 25 points per night. The Tigers also bring back a decent amount of experience and height around him in Julius Young and Jeremy Caldwell. The bench is made up of mostly freshmen, but they give JSU plenty of athleticism, height and energy.
Bad Karma
Jackson State's point guard situation is still under development after Charlie White's dismissal from school. Catraiva Givens is quick and runs the offense well, but he'll have to play more than 30 minutes per night since the team doesn't have many backup options. Coach Tevester Anderson said Trey Johnson can run the point if needed.
The Muscle
The continuing progress of sophomore center Jeremy Caldwell is crucial to Jackson State's SWAC title hopes. Caldwell is a true low-post threat who should score more than 5.2 points per game like he did last season. An intriguing backup is junior Stanley Turner, a 6-foot-11 transfer from Meridian Community College. At nearly 300 pounds, Turner brings strength and a soft touch, but lacks speed.
The Spark
The freshman trio of Grant Maxey, Garrison Johnson and Kenny Russell gives Jackson State plenty of energy off the bench. Anderson is especially high on Maxey, who is 6-7 and one of the team's best leapers. Johnson, a 6-6 guard, brings height and ballhandling while Russell can play either guard position and could prove to be a valuable backup to Givens.
David Brandt, Jackson (MS) Clarion Ledger
It's the year of senior Trey Johnson, who will use his scoring prowess and all-around game to lead Jackson State in its quest for a Southwestern Athletic Conference title.
Johnson scored 23.5 points per game as a junior and is this season's SWAC preseason player of the year. But as a senior, Johnson said he's trying to become more than a scorer.
"It's my job to put points on the board - I realize that," Johnson said. "But I also want to be more of a playmaker and get my teammates involved. That's how I think we'll win games this season."
The 6-foot-5 shooting guard scored 36 points in Friday night's season opener against No. 11 Alabama. But the rest of the team scored just 29 points and the Tigers lost 96-65.
Johnson was 11-of-30 shooting from the field.
"This was not my best game," Johnson said in a statement released by the school. "It's not all about scoring. I could have done more."
Johnson should have plenty of scoring options around him, including senior Julius Young (9.1 points per game last season) and sophomore center Jeremy Caldwell (5.8).
JSU coach Tevester Anderson said the offense should run through Caldwell. At 6-foot-8, he's an active rebounder and the Tigers' best post-up option.
"Our goal is to get him as many touches as we can," Anderson said. "When we get him going that opens up the outside shooting for guys like Trey and Catraiva Givens."
The development of Givens will be of main concern this season. The 5-foot-8 point guard was handed the full-time starting job after Charlie White was kicked out of school last month because of weapons charges.
Givens averaged 3.8 points, but shot just 29.5 percent from the field while splitting time with White last season.
- David Brandt, Jackson (MS) Clarion Ledger
JACKSON STATE
05-06: 15-17 overall, 10-8 SWAC
Coach: Tevester Anderson, 41-49 in 4 seasons at JSU
Projected starting lineup ('05-06 statistics)
Player, Pos, Yr, Ht, Wt, PPG, RPG
Catraiva Givens, G, Jr., 5-8, 165, 3.8, 1.8
Trey Johnson, G, Sr., 6-5, 215, 23.5, 4.8
Julius Young, F, Sr., 6-6, 185, 9.1, 3.6
Edwin Jarrow, F, Jr., 6-6, 175, 0.8, 0.9
Jeremy Caldwell, C, So., 6-8, 200, 5.2, 4.5
Good Vibes
Jackson State has a true star in Trey Johnson, who will be good for around 25 points per night. The Tigers also bring back a decent amount of experience and height around him in Julius Young and Jeremy Caldwell. The bench is made up of mostly freshmen, but they give JSU plenty of athleticism, height and energy.
Bad Karma
Jackson State's point guard situation is still under development after Charlie White's dismissal from school. Catraiva Givens is quick and runs the offense well, but he'll have to play more than 30 minutes per night since the team doesn't have many backup options. Coach Tevester Anderson said Trey Johnson can run the point if needed.
The Muscle
The continuing progress of sophomore center Jeremy Caldwell is crucial to Jackson State's SWAC title hopes. Caldwell is a true low-post threat who should score more than 5.2 points per game like he did last season. An intriguing backup is junior Stanley Turner, a 6-foot-11 transfer from Meridian Community College. At nearly 300 pounds, Turner brings strength and a soft touch, but lacks speed.
The Spark
The freshman trio of Grant Maxey, Garrison Johnson and Kenny Russell gives Jackson State plenty of energy off the bench. Anderson is especially high on Maxey, who is 6-7 and one of the team's best leapers. Johnson, a 6-6 guard, brings height and ballhandling while Russell can play either guard position and could prove to be a valuable backup to Givens.
Game Week For Tiger Basketball
By Dan Wolken
It's been a month exactly since Memphis Madness. And though watching practice is great, I've got to admit: I'm ready to see some games.
I think the Tigers' coaching staff was feeling the same way this weekend, especially once the scores of Friday and Saturday's games started rolling in. John Calipari told me he kind of wished Memphis had been able to schedule a game for the weekend or Monday, but it didn't happen.
Instead, the Tigers got some good work in Saturday and Sunday, scrimmaging both days.
A few of my impressions from the last big tune-up before Jackson State on Thursday:
-- PG Willie Kemp is really coming along nicely. He's starting to figure out how to create scoring opportunities for himself, and he had a handful of drives that were simply jaw-dropping. He's also shooting extremely well, probably better than anyone on the team right now. We'll see if that carries over to FedExForum, where the entire team has shoot poorly from the outside in two exhibition games.
-- As I wrote about in today's paper, C Joey Dorsey is still struggling a little bit with that sprained toe. He's playing through it, but there's still some pain and swelling. I don't think the Tigers will need a big effort from him to beat Jackson State, but certainly they will need him at full speed for Maui. At this point, his ability to play three games in three days out there is a question mark.
-- Calipari said he was going to work on some things Tuesday and Wednesday that put Dorsey and Pierre Niles on the floor at the same time. That hasn't been possible yet since they haven't been healthy at the same time. Niles is making progress, but he's clearly a step behind everyone else in his conditioning, which is to be expected since he missed nearly three weeks following minor knee surgery.
-- The biggest thing for Niles is to get in the mindset of going all-out, all the time. As Calipari said yesterday, Niles would be great in a football game right now because he can make one play, then rest for 30 seconds and make another. In basketball, especially the way Memphis plays, you've got to keep going. And on about the third or fourth trip up the floor, something breaks down for him. But he's really, really trying, and Calipari has been encouraged by his attitude.
-- The staff was extremely excited for Tony Barbee, who got his first victory as a head coach Friday night when his UTEP team beat Penn. That's a huge win for Barbee. Penn is the favorite to win the Ivy League and will probably win 20-plus games, which makes it a very good RPI win for Conference USA.
Posted in Tiger Basketball by Dan Wolken
It's been a month exactly since Memphis Madness. And though watching practice is great, I've got to admit: I'm ready to see some games.
I think the Tigers' coaching staff was feeling the same way this weekend, especially once the scores of Friday and Saturday's games started rolling in. John Calipari told me he kind of wished Memphis had been able to schedule a game for the weekend or Monday, but it didn't happen.
Instead, the Tigers got some good work in Saturday and Sunday, scrimmaging both days.
A few of my impressions from the last big tune-up before Jackson State on Thursday:
-- PG Willie Kemp is really coming along nicely. He's starting to figure out how to create scoring opportunities for himself, and he had a handful of drives that were simply jaw-dropping. He's also shooting extremely well, probably better than anyone on the team right now. We'll see if that carries over to FedExForum, where the entire team has shoot poorly from the outside in two exhibition games.
-- As I wrote about in today's paper, C Joey Dorsey is still struggling a little bit with that sprained toe. He's playing through it, but there's still some pain and swelling. I don't think the Tigers will need a big effort from him to beat Jackson State, but certainly they will need him at full speed for Maui. At this point, his ability to play three games in three days out there is a question mark.
-- Calipari said he was going to work on some things Tuesday and Wednesday that put Dorsey and Pierre Niles on the floor at the same time. That hasn't been possible yet since they haven't been healthy at the same time. Niles is making progress, but he's clearly a step behind everyone else in his conditioning, which is to be expected since he missed nearly three weeks following minor knee surgery.
-- The biggest thing for Niles is to get in the mindset of going all-out, all the time. As Calipari said yesterday, Niles would be great in a football game right now because he can make one play, then rest for 30 seconds and make another. In basketball, especially the way Memphis plays, you've got to keep going. And on about the third or fourth trip up the floor, something breaks down for him. But he's really, really trying, and Calipari has been encouraged by his attitude.
-- The staff was extremely excited for Tony Barbee, who got his first victory as a head coach Friday night when his UTEP team beat Penn. That's a huge win for Barbee. Penn is the favorite to win the Ivy League and will probably win 20-plus games, which makes it a very good RPI win for Conference USA.
Posted in Tiger Basketball by Dan Wolken
Monday, November 13, 2006
Memphis #9 in Jeff Sagarin Ranking Through Sunday, Nov 12th
1 Duke = 92.75
2 Illinois = 91.95
3 North Carolina = 91.93
4 Florida = 90.55
5 Villanova = 89.95
6 Kansas = 89.85
7 Kentucky = 89.35
8 Ohio State = 89.32
9 Memphis = 89.01
10 Pittsburgh = 88.92
11 Syracuse = 88.38
12 Texas = 88.32
13 Washington St. = 88.14
14 LSU = 88.02
15 Louisville = 87.27
16 Boston College = 86.90
17 Maryland = 86.67
18 Oklahoma St. = 86.57
19 Clemson = 86.41
20 Oklahoma = 86.35
20
2 Illinois = 91.95
3 North Carolina = 91.93
4 Florida = 90.55
5 Villanova = 89.95
6 Kansas = 89.85
7 Kentucky = 89.35
8 Ohio State = 89.32
9 Memphis = 89.01
10 Pittsburgh = 88.92
11 Syracuse = 88.38
12 Texas = 88.32
13 Washington St. = 88.14
14 LSU = 88.02
15 Louisville = 87.27
16 Boston College = 86.90
17 Maryland = 86.67
18 Oklahoma St. = 86.57
19 Clemson = 86.41
20 Oklahoma = 86.35
20
Joey Dorsey's Toe Injury a Worry as Season Opens Thursday
A Big Question
Dorsey's toe injury has Tigers worried as team prepares for opener vs. Jackson State this week
By Dan Wolken
November 13, 2006
Joey Dorsey sat upright against the wall of the Finch Center training room after a scrimmage Sunday night, his legs stretched out and a bag of ice wrapped around his right foot.
It's become a familiar routine the past several days: Practice, pain, ice and the inevitable swelling in his big toe, followed by hope that he'll be better in the morning.
For now, it's the best the 6-9 University of Memphis center can do, trying to nurse along his sprained toe while preparing for the No. 14-ranked Tigers' season opener Thursday against Jackson State.
"I'm trying to play through it," Dorsey said. "I just need rest, and to keep icing it down. I'm getting a lot better."
Despite Memphis' depth, any limitation for Dorsey looms as a potentially serious situation. With sophomore Kareem Cooper suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules and freshman backup Pierre Niles not yet ready to play starter's minutes because he's just coming back from knee surgery, Dorsey's health is of utmost importance for the Tigers.
He initially suffered the injury during a Nov. 3 practice, sat out the next day and has participated in about 60 percent -- that's coach John Calipari's estimate -- of Memphis' drills since then.
Dorsey has undergone two MRIs, which revealed nothing except a sprain. And though the natural instinct would be to rest Dorsey for a solid week and get him completely healthy, the Memphis training staff told Calipari that wasn't the case.
"It's a mild sprain, but it's in your toe and he feels it," Calipari said. "When I need him out there scrimmaging, he's out there. But he's stopping a lot because he's not practicing.
"At some point, you have to come back and there's going to be pain initially with it. When he starts to come back there's going to be pain and swelling and you just slowly bring him back through that, let him feel the pain. And he needed to take an anti-inflammatory, which he wasn't taking, so he's doing that for a couple weeks."
Saturday and Sunday, Dorsey spent the first portion of both practices on a stationary bike or a treadmill to keep the joint loose. Dorsey then jumped in for the scrimmage segments, wearing a custom-made orthodic in his shoe that adds cushion.
Though he played effectively and appeared to be moving well, the next step will be how his foot responds Tuesday when the Tigers return to practice after a day off.
Assuming Dorsey is able to play Thursday, he'll quickly face another big hurdle: Playing three games in three days at the EA Sports Maui Invitational, which begins a week from today.
"I'm worried because I don't know how my foot is going to react to the Jackson State game and then I'm not going to have much rest in Maui," Dorsey said. "I'll have to keep playing through it, and I'm going to play because I know my team needs me."
Nobody disputes that.
The Tigers played without Dorsey in their exhibition game last Monday against Christian Brothers. Early in the game, it was clear they missed his rebounding, his energy and his physical intimidation.
"When he's not there, we kind of miss that a little bit," junior forward Robert Dozier said. "We need him out there at all times. His presence is amazing for our team. For what his injury is, it seems like he's playing well."
-- Dan Wolken: 529-2365
FoxSports.com's Jeff Goodman Ranks Tigers #10
Top 25 preview: No. 10 Memphis
Second in C-USA? Mr. Goodman either still thinks Marquette is in C-USA or it is a typo. ed.
Jeff Goodman / FOXSports.com
Season outlook
There's no question that John Calipari's Memphis Tigers lost a ton from last year. Rodney Carney, his 17.2 points per game and senior leadership will be difficult to replace. So will Shawne Williams and his 13.2 points and 6.2 boards.
Darius Washington Jr., is also gone. But that's basically addition by subtraction.
Memphis still returns a trio of core players who started plenty of games a year ago. Junior Joey Dorsey is a 6-foot-9, 260-pound man-child who is an imposing force in the paint and on the glass.
Sophomore Chris Douglas-Roberts and Antonio Anderson are fairly similar in their games and their production a year ago. CDR averaged 8.3 points and 3.3 boards while Anderson, also about 6-foot-6 and 185 pounds, put up 7.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
"We've got a good group and we have a chance, but we're going to have to do it different than we did it last year," Calipari said. "Rodney could dominate a game athletically and both Shawne and Darius could dominate the game physically. We don't have anyone that can overwhelm you that way."
Both Douglas-Roberts and Anderson are versatile, tough wings who handle the ball well for their size — but don't shoot the ball exceptionally well from long distance.
That'll be one critical key for Calipari. To find someone who can light it up from 3-point land. Anderson's shot has improved and freshman shooting guard Doneal Mack, a late signee after he wasn't academically admitted into Florida, could fill that void.
The point guard situation will be much better than a year ago when Washington had more turnovers than assists. Stocky sophomore Andre Allen (5-10, 200) will battle freshman Willie Kemp (6-2, 170) and both will give the team more stability than when the ball was in Washington's hands.
"We had more turnovers than assists last year," Calipari said. "We've got to take better care of the ball."
Another player who could score points from the perimeter is 6-foot-9 skilled sophomore forward Robert Dozier, who has all the ability to replace Williams — but needs to become more assertive on the offensive end.
Jeremy Hunt, a 6-foot-5 senior who has endured numerous injuries and was kicked off the team a year ago for an off-the-court incident, is back and should get plenty of playing time.
Two freshman big men will be counted upon to contribute immediately. Pierre Niles, who has started to get his body in better shape, is recovering from minor knee surgery and may take some time to get into the rotation while 6-foot-10, 275-pound Hashim Bailey will give Calipari another big body to use off the bench.
"I think Pierre Niles could be the "X" Factor for us because he brings something unique," Calipari said. "He's huge and he can make nine straight free throws. He's got great hands and feet."
Breaking it down
Memphis 2006-07
Roster Schedule 2005-06 stats
Get inside Notes Roster report
Coach: John Calipari 148-59 (6 years), 341-130 (14 years)
Last Season: 33-4, 13-1 (Conference USA)
Postseason: Lost to UCLA, 50-45, in the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament
Why they'll make the Final Four: If a go-to guy develops and Calipari finds a reliable outside shooter.
Why they're getting bounced in the first round: Not enough perimeter scoring.
You don't know him ... yet: Robert Dozier —The 6-foot-9 sophomore was a role player a year ago, but he's as talented as Rodney Carney or Shawne Williams — two guys who were mid first-round picks.
Why you'll want to pay attention before March: Calipari continues to implement Vance Walberg's wide-open system in which the floor is spread and he can take advantage of guards and wings.
Games that will determine their season: Dec. 6 at Tennessee; Dec. 20 at Arizona; Feb. 17 at Gonzaga
Prediction: Second in CUSA; Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament
Second in C-USA? Mr. Goodman either still thinks Marquette is in C-USA or it is a typo. ed.
Jeff Goodman / FOXSports.com
Season outlook
There's no question that John Calipari's Memphis Tigers lost a ton from last year. Rodney Carney, his 17.2 points per game and senior leadership will be difficult to replace. So will Shawne Williams and his 13.2 points and 6.2 boards.
Darius Washington Jr., is also gone. But that's basically addition by subtraction.
Memphis still returns a trio of core players who started plenty of games a year ago. Junior Joey Dorsey is a 6-foot-9, 260-pound man-child who is an imposing force in the paint and on the glass.
Sophomore Chris Douglas-Roberts and Antonio Anderson are fairly similar in their games and their production a year ago. CDR averaged 8.3 points and 3.3 boards while Anderson, also about 6-foot-6 and 185 pounds, put up 7.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
"We've got a good group and we have a chance, but we're going to have to do it different than we did it last year," Calipari said. "Rodney could dominate a game athletically and both Shawne and Darius could dominate the game physically. We don't have anyone that can overwhelm you that way."
Both Douglas-Roberts and Anderson are versatile, tough wings who handle the ball well for their size — but don't shoot the ball exceptionally well from long distance.
That'll be one critical key for Calipari. To find someone who can light it up from 3-point land. Anderson's shot has improved and freshman shooting guard Doneal Mack, a late signee after he wasn't academically admitted into Florida, could fill that void.
The point guard situation will be much better than a year ago when Washington had more turnovers than assists. Stocky sophomore Andre Allen (5-10, 200) will battle freshman Willie Kemp (6-2, 170) and both will give the team more stability than when the ball was in Washington's hands.
"We had more turnovers than assists last year," Calipari said. "We've got to take better care of the ball."
Another player who could score points from the perimeter is 6-foot-9 skilled sophomore forward Robert Dozier, who has all the ability to replace Williams — but needs to become more assertive on the offensive end.
Jeremy Hunt, a 6-foot-5 senior who has endured numerous injuries and was kicked off the team a year ago for an off-the-court incident, is back and should get plenty of playing time.
Two freshman big men will be counted upon to contribute immediately. Pierre Niles, who has started to get his body in better shape, is recovering from minor knee surgery and may take some time to get into the rotation while 6-foot-10, 275-pound Hashim Bailey will give Calipari another big body to use off the bench.
"I think Pierre Niles could be the "X" Factor for us because he brings something unique," Calipari said. "He's huge and he can make nine straight free throws. He's got great hands and feet."
Breaking it down
Memphis 2006-07
Roster Schedule 2005-06 stats
Get inside Notes Roster report
Coach: John Calipari 148-59 (6 years), 341-130 (14 years)
Last Season: 33-4, 13-1 (Conference USA)
Postseason: Lost to UCLA, 50-45, in the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament
Why they'll make the Final Four: If a go-to guy develops and Calipari finds a reliable outside shooter.
Why they're getting bounced in the first round: Not enough perimeter scoring.
You don't know him ... yet: Robert Dozier —The 6-foot-9 sophomore was a role player a year ago, but he's as talented as Rodney Carney or Shawne Williams — two guys who were mid first-round picks.
Why you'll want to pay attention before March: Calipari continues to implement Vance Walberg's wide-open system in which the floor is spread and he can take advantage of guards and wings.
Games that will determine their season: Dec. 6 at Tennessee; Dec. 20 at Arizona; Feb. 17 at Gonzaga
Prediction: Second in CUSA; Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament
The Inner Circle
The Inner Circle
By Dan Wolken, Memphis Commercial Appeal
November 12, 2006
There was, on the surface, nothing all that historic about it, nothing in the record books to show that the University of Memphis' run to the NCAA Elite Eight last season was that much different than the previous three times this program had made it that far. Isn't it true, after all, that Memphis had already etched its name in Final Four history twice before last year, dwarfing anything less than a national title? And isn't it true that Memphis' accomplishment was no different from that of schools like St. Joseph's and Xavier and Kent State, all of whom have made the Elite Eight in the last five years and immediately faded back into anonymity? And, by the way, didn't something called George Mason do the Tigers one better last year?
But as Memphis prepares to open the 2006-07 season on Thursday against Jackson State, last year's breakthrough is beginning to look more and more like the watershed moment in program history. In this ESPN-fueled, Rivals-dot-com-crazy college basketball landscape, Memphis has indeed arrived, on a national scale like this city has never seen.
"When we went to the (1985) Final Four in Lexington, Ky., Sports Illustrated had the pictures of three of the four teams on the front cover," said Win Rainey, president of the Rebounders booster club who has followed the program since the 1950s. "Memphis wasn't even mentioned.
"Now, every time you turn on the TV, something's said about either John Calipari or the University of Memphis. He's on 'The Best Damn Sports Show Period.' He has Larry Brown here, big-name coaches coming down. So, yeah, Memphis has arrived."
In one sense, it has been that way since Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson hired Calipari in 2000 to fix a program that had been broken by mismanagement and scandal under Tic Price.
With him, Calipari brought the national profile that, right away, got the Tigers on national television and lured top recruits like Dajuan Wagner. By his third year, Calipari had gotten Memphis back into the NCAA Tournament, which, for fans who endured the previous regime, was a good time.
But it wasn't the big-time.
Calipari knew that as well as anyone, which is why he readily admits that last season -- a 33-4 record, the school's first No. 1 seed in its NCAA Tournament history and advancement to the Elite Eight -- was a breakthrough.
"I think everybody was waiting," Calipari said. "For six years, and I'm talking not just in Memphis but people around the country, they knew coming here that we wanted to compete for national titles. We want to be one of those teams they talk about.
"And the landscape changed. Kids could go directly to the NBA. Kids could leave after a year. In my last run at UMass, that never happened. So that happens, and it sets us back. A couple issues set you back, and then all of a sudden you're fighting to survive. Fighting to survive here was 23 wins a year. It's not like we won 15 a year. We won 23 a year, and then I think the Elite Eight said, 'Wait a minute, they're not just playing to win games, they're playing to win a national title.'"
Perhaps the biggest piece of evidence that the perception of Memphis has changed nationally is that the Tigers were ranked 14th recently in both major preseason polls, despite losing two first-round NBA draft picks in Shawne Williams and Rodney Carney, plus starting point guard Darius Washington.
Though nobody is quite sure whether 14th is vastly overrating or underrating this particular team, only a handful of programs get that kind of respect in years when their players are largely unproven.
Without the Elite Eight, Memphis might not have shown up in the preseason top 25.
"I'm on the NCAA management council, and I go to a lot of national meetings. and I can tell the difference (in perception) by talking to those people," athletic director R.C. Johnson said. "As you get to that point, there's so many fans that are into the NCAA Tournament, and when you're to that point, everybody knows who's left and it becomes rather significant.
"The plan all along was for that to happen. And the main reason that I really wanted to go with John was that I felt he was the guy that could do it."
Though Memphians have long had the reputation for believing their basketball program belongs in the same stratosphere as North Carolina and Kentucky, the overwhelming evidence suggests otherwise.
In fact, even within Conference USA, one could make a pretty strong argument that Houston occupies a more significant place in college basketball history.
The periods in which Memphis has achieved a level of national prominence can be defined the following way: the Gene Bartow era 1970-74, the 1981-86 stretch in which Memphis made five straight NCAA Tournaments, and Penny Hardaway's two-year stint beginning in 1991.
John Wilfong, who played 1983-87, said he sees a difference between those eras and the present one.
"There have been brief periods when they've ascended to national prominence," Wilfong said. "Cal has brought it to where he has a chance to sustain greatness.
"My four years, we won 110 games, and that's a lot of wins. And you had great players that contributed to that. And so if Calipari is able to sustain something like that, over a five-, six-, eight- or 10-year period like he's moving towards, I think that puts it above what has been accomplished here."
Memphis this season is guaranteed to appear on national television 17 times -- four times on CSTV, once on CBS, once on Fox Sports Net and 11 times on either ESPN or ESPN 2.
Ilan Ben-Hanan, ESPN's senior director of programming and acquisitions for college basketball, said Memphis is now one of the country's elite teams in terms of national television appeal.
"I think they have stepped above the crowd based on their players, their coach, the team they have and their take-on-all-comers philosophy," Ben-Hanan said. "They have a very charismatic coach that people like to root for or perhaps root against. They're not afraid to go on the road and play big-nonconference games or bring in anyone (to FedExForum).
"We love high-profile games, and Memphis plays a lot of them."
Here's how much that kind of television exposure, combined with the recent success, has changed the Tigers' program.
When Calipari first started recruiting Chris Douglas-Roberts, now a sophomore guard, the only thing the Detroit native knew about Memphis is that "Elvis was from there," Douglas-Roberts said.
Last Saturday, Memphis secured a verbal commitment from Derrick Rose, the nation's No. 1 point guard and perhaps the best high school player Calipari has recruited.
Rose, who's from Chicago, has no connection to the city of Memphis and no connection to the school. At the press conference announcing his college destination, Rose's brother, Reggie Rose, said Derrick hadn't thought about going to Memphis until he saw the Tigers play in last year's NCAA Tournament.
"They love our style of play. If you know how to play, Coach lets you play," Douglas-Roberts said. "There's recruits from everywhere that know about us now."
There is, of course, a possibility that Memphis could have a very good season without duplicating its Elite Eight run. But even if that happens, Calipari will be able to look forward to 2007-08, when Rose's arrival will bring even more attention and another legitimate opportunity to make a national splash.
"Kids from around the country, they're seeing guys being drafted, but they're also seeing that we're on national television, we're competing for national titles," Calipari said. "That's what they want. But you've got to have a program that is at that level, competing at that level."
And now, it appears, Memphis is finally there.
-- Dan Wolken: 529-2365
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The opener
Opponent: Jackson St.
When, where: Thursday, 7 p.m., at FedExForum
TV: WLMT (30)
Tickets: Call 678-2331, go to gotigersgo.com
By Dan Wolken, Memphis Commercial Appeal
November 12, 2006
There was, on the surface, nothing all that historic about it, nothing in the record books to show that the University of Memphis' run to the NCAA Elite Eight last season was that much different than the previous three times this program had made it that far. Isn't it true, after all, that Memphis had already etched its name in Final Four history twice before last year, dwarfing anything less than a national title? And isn't it true that Memphis' accomplishment was no different from that of schools like St. Joseph's and Xavier and Kent State, all of whom have made the Elite Eight in the last five years and immediately faded back into anonymity? And, by the way, didn't something called George Mason do the Tigers one better last year?
But as Memphis prepares to open the 2006-07 season on Thursday against Jackson State, last year's breakthrough is beginning to look more and more like the watershed moment in program history. In this ESPN-fueled, Rivals-dot-com-crazy college basketball landscape, Memphis has indeed arrived, on a national scale like this city has never seen.
"When we went to the (1985) Final Four in Lexington, Ky., Sports Illustrated had the pictures of three of the four teams on the front cover," said Win Rainey, president of the Rebounders booster club who has followed the program since the 1950s. "Memphis wasn't even mentioned.
"Now, every time you turn on the TV, something's said about either John Calipari or the University of Memphis. He's on 'The Best Damn Sports Show Period.' He has Larry Brown here, big-name coaches coming down. So, yeah, Memphis has arrived."
In one sense, it has been that way since Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson hired Calipari in 2000 to fix a program that had been broken by mismanagement and scandal under Tic Price.
With him, Calipari brought the national profile that, right away, got the Tigers on national television and lured top recruits like Dajuan Wagner. By his third year, Calipari had gotten Memphis back into the NCAA Tournament, which, for fans who endured the previous regime, was a good time.
But it wasn't the big-time.
Calipari knew that as well as anyone, which is why he readily admits that last season -- a 33-4 record, the school's first No. 1 seed in its NCAA Tournament history and advancement to the Elite Eight -- was a breakthrough.
"I think everybody was waiting," Calipari said. "For six years, and I'm talking not just in Memphis but people around the country, they knew coming here that we wanted to compete for national titles. We want to be one of those teams they talk about.
"And the landscape changed. Kids could go directly to the NBA. Kids could leave after a year. In my last run at UMass, that never happened. So that happens, and it sets us back. A couple issues set you back, and then all of a sudden you're fighting to survive. Fighting to survive here was 23 wins a year. It's not like we won 15 a year. We won 23 a year, and then I think the Elite Eight said, 'Wait a minute, they're not just playing to win games, they're playing to win a national title.'"
Perhaps the biggest piece of evidence that the perception of Memphis has changed nationally is that the Tigers were ranked 14th recently in both major preseason polls, despite losing two first-round NBA draft picks in Shawne Williams and Rodney Carney, plus starting point guard Darius Washington.
Though nobody is quite sure whether 14th is vastly overrating or underrating this particular team, only a handful of programs get that kind of respect in years when their players are largely unproven.
Without the Elite Eight, Memphis might not have shown up in the preseason top 25.
"I'm on the NCAA management council, and I go to a lot of national meetings. and I can tell the difference (in perception) by talking to those people," athletic director R.C. Johnson said. "As you get to that point, there's so many fans that are into the NCAA Tournament, and when you're to that point, everybody knows who's left and it becomes rather significant.
"The plan all along was for that to happen. And the main reason that I really wanted to go with John was that I felt he was the guy that could do it."
Though Memphians have long had the reputation for believing their basketball program belongs in the same stratosphere as North Carolina and Kentucky, the overwhelming evidence suggests otherwise.
In fact, even within Conference USA, one could make a pretty strong argument that Houston occupies a more significant place in college basketball history.
The periods in which Memphis has achieved a level of national prominence can be defined the following way: the Gene Bartow era 1970-74, the 1981-86 stretch in which Memphis made five straight NCAA Tournaments, and Penny Hardaway's two-year stint beginning in 1991.
John Wilfong, who played 1983-87, said he sees a difference between those eras and the present one.
"There have been brief periods when they've ascended to national prominence," Wilfong said. "Cal has brought it to where he has a chance to sustain greatness.
"My four years, we won 110 games, and that's a lot of wins. And you had great players that contributed to that. And so if Calipari is able to sustain something like that, over a five-, six-, eight- or 10-year period like he's moving towards, I think that puts it above what has been accomplished here."
Memphis this season is guaranteed to appear on national television 17 times -- four times on CSTV, once on CBS, once on Fox Sports Net and 11 times on either ESPN or ESPN 2.
Ilan Ben-Hanan, ESPN's senior director of programming and acquisitions for college basketball, said Memphis is now one of the country's elite teams in terms of national television appeal.
"I think they have stepped above the crowd based on their players, their coach, the team they have and their take-on-all-comers philosophy," Ben-Hanan said. "They have a very charismatic coach that people like to root for or perhaps root against. They're not afraid to go on the road and play big-nonconference games or bring in anyone (to FedExForum).
"We love high-profile games, and Memphis plays a lot of them."
Here's how much that kind of television exposure, combined with the recent success, has changed the Tigers' program.
When Calipari first started recruiting Chris Douglas-Roberts, now a sophomore guard, the only thing the Detroit native knew about Memphis is that "Elvis was from there," Douglas-Roberts said.
Last Saturday, Memphis secured a verbal commitment from Derrick Rose, the nation's No. 1 point guard and perhaps the best high school player Calipari has recruited.
Rose, who's from Chicago, has no connection to the city of Memphis and no connection to the school. At the press conference announcing his college destination, Rose's brother, Reggie Rose, said Derrick hadn't thought about going to Memphis until he saw the Tigers play in last year's NCAA Tournament.
"They love our style of play. If you know how to play, Coach lets you play," Douglas-Roberts said. "There's recruits from everywhere that know about us now."
There is, of course, a possibility that Memphis could have a very good season without duplicating its Elite Eight run. But even if that happens, Calipari will be able to look forward to 2007-08, when Rose's arrival will bring even more attention and another legitimate opportunity to make a national splash.
"Kids from around the country, they're seeing guys being drafted, but they're also seeing that we're on national television, we're competing for national titles," Calipari said. "That's what they want. But you've got to have a program that is at that level, competing at that level."
And now, it appears, Memphis is finally there.
-- Dan Wolken: 529-2365
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The opener
Opponent: Jackson St.
When, where: Thursday, 7 p.m., at FedExForum
TV: WLMT (30)
Tickets: Call 678-2331, go to gotigersgo.com
Sportable.com's Memphis Tigers Review
Sportable.com evaluates the AP Top 25.
http://www.sportable.com/2006/11/10/ncaa-basketball-preview-day-3/
14. Memphis: The best news all offseason was that coach John Capliari is staying put. The bad news is the Tigers lost Rodney Carney, Shawne Williams, and Darius Washington, three players that combined for 43 points a night. They may not be a #1 seed again or advance into the Elite Eight again, but they should be the powerhouse in Conference USA again. Memphis does have a trio of talented sophomores in Chris Douglas Roberts, Antonio Anderson, and Robert Dozier. I think they’re a bit overrated in this poll, they should probably be in the 20s somewhere. I wouldn’t expect this team to win 33 games again but Capliari is going to keep them at the top of Conference USA.
http://www.sportable.com/2006/11/10/ncaa-basketball-preview-day-3/
14. Memphis: The best news all offseason was that coach John Capliari is staying put. The bad news is the Tigers lost Rodney Carney, Shawne Williams, and Darius Washington, three players that combined for 43 points a night. They may not be a #1 seed again or advance into the Elite Eight again, but they should be the powerhouse in Conference USA again. Memphis does have a trio of talented sophomores in Chris Douglas Roberts, Antonio Anderson, and Robert Dozier. I think they’re a bit overrated in this poll, they should probably be in the 20s somewhere. I wouldn’t expect this team to win 33 games again but Capliari is going to keep them at the top of Conference USA.
Four Questions to the Tigers Season
Well, today is the day.
As we start the regular season there are a number of questions that will be answered this year that will basically determine if this Memphis Tigers team can be as successful that last year's 33-4 team. I plan to cut the season down into five components. I'll do a review after each 1/4th of the season and then the postseason will be the 5th component.
So let's get started.............
1) Will the Tigers develop a consistent outside shooting threat? I believe we will definitely see a lot of zone defense from competitors. Cal will try to run the ball to limit the number of possessions requiring a 1/2 court offense, but against the likes of UCLA, Arizona, Tennessee and Houston the Tigers will have to prove they can hit the 3. The Tigers need to average 35% or better from the 3 and at least two major players need to average 39% or better.
2) Will Willie Kemp develop into a floor leader who has an assist to turnover ratio better than 1.2? The Tigers got away with not having a point guard last year and with having more turnovers than assists. I'm not so sure that lightening can strike twice. It will be better to develop a point guard who can dish consistently. While I don't expect Kemp to average more than 22 minutes a game, he needs to average 4 assists or more and less than 3 turnovers per game.
3) Will CDR and/or Antonio Anderson average more than 15 points per game? Someone must step up and probably both of these guys need to average 13 to 17 points per game. If this team averages 80 points a game, these two guys need to average 3/8th of the offense - 30 points.
4) Will Joey Dorsey develop a scoring game outside of 2 feet? Let's face it, Joey was fine taking out the trash last year. Also against lesser competition, Joey was good (though he did have a great second half against Houston in the C-USA conference semi-finals). However, Joey needs to develop a four to six foot shot and he must improve his free throw shooting to 60%.
Friday, November 10, 2006
WHBQ 560 Radio's Eli Savoie Reporting that Tiger Recruit Will Bogan from Bell City, MO Will Not Attend Memphis Next Fall
Quote from Eli's blog
http://elisavoie.blogspot.com/2006/11/horn-tooting-and-picks.html
"We also told you yesterday that Will Bogan, the University of Memphis basketball commitment from Bell City, Mo. will not be signing with the Tigers. Bogan verbally committed last year, but will now look at other options, will not sign anywhere at this time, and is about 90% certain not to be coming to Memphis. Bogan would like to play for a team and in a conference that fits the his style of play better. He is 6'11" and 300 pounds. He wants to play for someone where he can bang down low, and not a team that runs up and down like the Tigers. I know a lot of you have wondered about Bogan's status. This is good information I'm giving you from a good source close to Bogan."
http://elisavoie.blogspot.com/2006/11/horn-tooting-and-picks.html
"We also told you yesterday that Will Bogan, the University of Memphis basketball commitment from Bell City, Mo. will not be signing with the Tigers. Bogan verbally committed last year, but will now look at other options, will not sign anywhere at this time, and is about 90% certain not to be coming to Memphis. Bogan would like to play for a team and in a conference that fits the his style of play better. He is 6'11" and 300 pounds. He wants to play for someone where he can bang down low, and not a team that runs up and down like the Tigers. I know a lot of you have wondered about Bogan's status. This is good information I'm giving you from a good source close to Bogan."
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Thoughts on the CBU Game
In recap there are a few items that stand out about the CBU exhibition.
1) While the Princeton offense is fun to watch, I don't believe the Tigers will face an opponent this year in the regular season running this offense or a version of it. To my knowledge the major programs running this style include Northwestern, Air Force and Samford. NC State did run it prior to Sidney Lowe's arrival this summer, but I doubt it will be carried over.
2) I was very happy to see CDR have the strong overall game, but the turnovers were excessive at seven. Overall, one would have to give him an A- for the game. 7 of 9 from the field including 2 of 2 from 3 pt range, 5 boards, 5 assists and the 7 TOs. Very nice.
3) Speaking of nice, how about the spark from Freshman Tre'Von Willis who wasn't even in the rotation. Here is making the most of very limited minutes - 1 of 1 from the field, 5 of 6 from the line, 4 boards and a steal in SIX minutes (ok, four personal fouls - hey, he's a freshman).
4) I thought Pierre Niles was ok considering he is just back from knee surgery and he is clearly a backup at this point. Of course, if Joey Dorsey continues his prior tendancies to get in foul trouble, we may need Niles to step up sooner than later.
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