American Chronicle "Memphis Resurgence?"

Memphis resurgence?

Stefan Ming
June 20, 2007

After a disappointing loss to the Ohio St. Buckeyes in the Elite 8 of the 2007 NCAA Tournament, the Memphis Tigers were left looking for answers.

The Tigers had a lot of experience back but were still young and unproved. The 2007-2008 squad will return 5 of their top 6, plus the additions of recruits Derrick Rose and Jeff Robinson will help a lot. Especially the addition of Rose, he should be able to come in right away and help fill in for the lone loss in Jeremy Hunt.

After back to back Elite 8 finishes the past two seasons, Memphis finally has what it takes to get over the hump and into the Final Four. They were the lone team that wasn't affected by the draft deadline date.


With Chris-Douglas Roberts and Joey Dorsey deciding to stay for their junior and seniors seasons, this Tiger team will be ready to be one of the top teams in the country and ready to begin their quest for the school's first national championship.

With the likes of UNC, Georgetown, Kansas, UCLA, Louisville, and Washington St., Memphis will be right in the mix. The one thing is all these teams except Memphis had a significant loss.

Many people blasted the Tigers for their weak schedule last season. But in 2007-2008 they will be able to back it up playing at Arizona (Dec. 29), at Gonzaga (Jan. 19, 2008) and Tennessee (Feb. 23, 2008) at home. They will also be participating in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, with potential meetings against Connecticut, Kentucky and/or Oklahoma in New York. The Tigers play USC in the Jimmy V Classic in New York, at Ole Miss and at Cincinnati, and take on Middle Tennessee State.

This may finally be Memphis' year to get into the Final Four and possibly that national championship game. Chris Douglas-Roberts returned for one reason, to get a national title. The Memphis Tigers have the experience once again and some of the best talent returning of anyone; they are poised to get into the final four and that national title game; you know what they always say: “third times a charm”.