Tigers Fall in National Final

Driving home tonight past the University of Memphis, what should have been a long line of cars honking and celebrating a Tiger national championship was like a funeral procession. People slowly passing by the campus in mourning over the loss.

I know someone has to lose.

And in the grand scheme of things this was just a basketball game. And the Tigers had a wonderful year — the best year of Memphis basketball ever. And they provided much joy and a tremendous amount of unity for a fractured city. And CDR was fantistic all year and gained first team All-America status. And Derrek Rose is the most phenominal athelete to put on a Tiger uniform. And Joey Dorsy was such a beast all year. And Calaperi has done a wonderful job leading these young men.

But when you invest your heart into something, you risk the pain. I have not invested as much heart energy toward a team since —- ever. The only thing that rivals it was watching my step-son who was a passionate and phenomenally skilled wrestler. I have never expended as much heart wrenching love as when he was battling it out on the mat in a close match.

Love is like that. It is a dangerous endeavor. That takes me to a favorite C. S. Lewis quote,

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless–it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.”

I love my step-son dearly — that is why his struggle on the mat impacted me so much. And yes, I love this Tiger team and with that love comes the pain of loss at their loss.

I guess I better end this cathartic post.  I do feel a little better getting this off my chest.

I am grateful for a great Tiger season and look forward to next year.

GO TIGERS!!!!

Go Tigers!!!!!

JUST ONE MORE WIN!!!!!

Wow!!! Tigers Win Big Over Texas in Texas

(Photo by AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki )

Yes, this picture looks like Tiger coach John Calipari is praying for a miracle. My take is that he is giving thanks to God for the man standing next to him —Derrick Rose. Rose was voted MVP of the south regional in the NCAA tournament after his Tigers dominated against number 2 seed Texas 85-67. What a big win for Calipari and his talented squad.

Many of The pundits have shown no respect for Memphis. (Exception is Digger Phelps)

Here is an example posted by ESPN on March 27th —- ALL of the experts picked Memphis to lose:

Will Memphis be tripped up sooner or later (or not at all)?

Bilas: Memphis (will lose), to Michigan State in Sweet 16

Davis: Memphis (will lose), to Texas in the Elite Eight

Fraschilla: Memphis (will lose), to Texas in the Elite Eight

Gottlieb: Memphis (will lose), to Texas in the Elite Eight

Rankin: Memphis (will lose), to Michigan State in the Sweet 16

Vitale: Memphis (will lose), to Michigan State in the Sweet 16

Well, well, well, look what has happened. The truth of the Tiger’s talent surfacing to the top.

It is great to be heading to San Antonio.

Tigers — What a Game — What a Half

In what was the most impressive half of basketball that I have seen in a while —– like EVER, the Tigers took it to Michigan State to earn a spot in the Elite Eight.

“That first half of basketball was one of the best I’ve been involved in as a coach.  I loved our discipline, I loved our execution of the offense, loved how unselfish they were and more importantly, I loved how they guarded. We really, really guarded. We played (nine) guys and all (nine) players in that half really helped their team. I was proud to be a part of it.”  — John Calipari

My prediction of a win came true.  My prediction of a Michigan State score of 74 was correct.  But I missed the Tiger total by 11 on the positive side.  And how ’bout those free throws?  74%!!! May that number continue.

GO TIGERS!!!

Go Tigers!! Sweet Sixteen Tonight

                                              

The Tigers take on Michigan State tonight in the Sweet Sixteen of the South Region.  Looks like a great matchup for the Tigers.  Keys to the game — Putting the clamps on Drew Neitzel from the 3-point line — Joey showing up and being the man he is on the boards — Tigers controlling the tempo of the game and not get into a free throw shooting contest at the end of the game.I predict at Memphis win — 81 – 74.

Dang – Tigers Lose First of the Season

I hang my head over:

Free Throws — Vols 12-18 Tigers 8-17

Rebounds — Vols 50 Tigers 34

Score — Vols 66 Tigers 62

Painful but we were clearly outplayed tonight by a very good Tennessee team. And we still had a chance to win in the end. Just didn’t have the magic of the UAB game. Maybe we will meet Tennessee again in the Final Four. Still very proud of this team.

GO TIGERS!!

THE Game-Memphis #1 vs. Tennessee #2

The buzz around here in Memphis is all about this game tomorrow night. And it is not just around here. It is garnering national attention. ESPN’s Game Day will broadcast from inside the Fed Ex Forum all day leading up to the 8 PM tip off.

ESPN named Chris Douglas Roberts (left) Player of the Week for his stellar performances last week. Here is some of what they said about CDR:

“Let’s lock up a spot on a first-team All-America list for Chris Douglas-Roberts. He continues to make plays for the undefeated, top-ranked Tigers. The latest came Saturday night in Birmingham. CDR converted a three-point play with 6.5 seconds left. That gave the Tigers a 79-78 lead and eventual win. Douglas-Roberts finished with 32 points on 13-of-21 shooting in 36 minutes. He had seven boards and didn’t have a turnover or personal foul.” (For the rest of the article click here)

# 1 vs. #2 — Here are some stats found on U of M’s Basketball website

• No. 1 teams are 20-17 versus No. 2 teams all-time
• No. 2 teams are 10-9 in regular season games
• Last six No. 1-2 regular season games are 3-3
• No. 1 teams are 16-12 in non-league games
• No. 2 teams are 4-0 in games involving teams from the same state

I certainly hope that last stat does not hold true tomorrow. GO TIGERS!!!

Tigers Rule the Polls

 

It has been 25 years since we could make the claim, but the University of Memphis Tigers are now ranked # 1 in both the AP and the ESPN/Coaches Polls.  Due to UNC’s loss to Maryland and our victory over Southern Miss, we were voted to the pinnacle of college basketball.    Yes, there are many more hurdles to come but it sure is sweet to be at the top right now.

Tigers #1 and #2

Have to brag on my University of Memphis Tigers.  They just beat Pepperdine 90-53 at the Fed Ex Forum which is no big deal but they have been ranked # 2 behind North Carolina most of the season.  It just came out today that they are ranked # 1 in the RPI Rankings.  Rankings mean nothing until March comes around, but we have taken care of business with an impressive pre-conference schedule with some great wins over the likes of Oklahoma, U Conn, USC and Arizona. 

They are a blast to watch.  Check them out later this month (Jan. 26) on ESPN against Gonzaga.