Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Memphis Tigers Fall (Barely) to Top-Ranked Kansas
Posted by Frank Murtaugh on Tue, Nov 17, 2009 at 11:46 PM
Three inches. That’s an educated guess on how close the Tigers came to knocking off top-ranked Kansas tonight. Had Elliot Williams’ three-point attempt at the buzzer been a bit more shy — by thaaaaat much — Memphis earns its greatest upset in 89 years of basketball. Instead, the Tigers walk off the court in St. Louis disappointed with a 57-55 defeat.
Remarkable first half. Despite converting only two field goals over the last nine minutes of the half and missing 12 of 14 three-point attempts, the U of M was down only six points against the consensus number-one team in the country. (Consider: had the Tigers made merely 25 percent of their three point attempts in the half, the score would have been tied.)
Just as eye-opening was the way seven Memphis players were able to trade punches against a Kansas team that went 10 deep, with two All-Americans (Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins) and a freshman phenom (Xavier Henry) in its starting lineup. A strength to this year’s collection of underdogs may well be its team defense (witness the six Kansas turnovers over the game’s first six minutes). Josh Pastner has an undersized team, but it’s not lacking for quickness or athleticism. Kansas players not named Aldrich made but 13 of 33 shots.
• Among the “what ifs” to consider at the breakfast table: What if the Tigers’ shooters had been even mediocre? They attempted 25 shots from beyond the arc and hit exactly six (two of them clutch in the final minute by Doneal Mack and Williams). Roburt Sallie going for 0-for-6 might be hidden against SMU or Tulane. Not on ESPN though.
• Pastner deserves his first stripe for coaching acumen, managing his seven players against a titan like Kansas and only losing one to fouls. Pastner has a challenge on his hands, though, in identifying the role that one player — Wesley Witherspoon — will play this season. In terms of height — Witherspoon’s 6’9” — the sophomore is among the Tigers’ biggest players. But he looked horribly out of position guarding the low post Tuesday night (where he picked up his last two fouls). With so few options for defending the basket, Pastner may be forced to stretch Witherspoon’s defense more than either man would like.
• If you’re a college hoops fan, you gotta love Dick Vitale’s enthusiasm. But objectivity? His unbridled defense of the Memphis program in respect to the allegations that Derrick Rose had a proxy take his SAT for him was hardly a broad assessment of the matter. Long tied to the mast of college basketball, Vitale should show greater concern for the shortcuts players are bound to take to skirt the NBA’s draft restrictions. Whether or not Rose is guilty, the allegations are serious. And whether or not they impact programs competing for a national championship, such transgressions have to be fought by the NCAA.
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There was a lot of game to cover. Glad you had room for that last paragraph. No dead horse goes unbeaten.
As often as I knock the Tigers, I don't think anyone would argue that the team has a long history of rising to the occassion.
There was also the fact that Kansas had a lot of turnovers which kept the Tigers in the game. I'm sorry, but I'm not totally on board with Pastner yet. Not that I don't like the guy, but I'm waiting for the winning season till I say anything about him. Even then, I spot the guy a year till he gets the players he wants.
Great effort Tigers. I was disappointed our marksman Roburt Sallie was 0-6 from three point range. Kansas was lucky to get the W. As for the last line in this story concerning Derrick Rose, the one that said "such transgressions have to be fought by the NCAA", someone is missing the boat here. This is the same NCAA that not once but TWICE told U of M officials "Derrick Rose is elgible to play". That is tough to swallow.
I touched on Vitale's view of the NCAA's investigation/ruling out of distaste for the way he looked only at the Tiger side of the issue. It wasn't the kind of stance a man in his position should take. Whether or not Rose willingly cheated — and whether or not the NCAA told the U of M Rose was eligible to play — there was clearly some smoke in/around that SAT. And the guess here is that it's not the only such smoke in the House of College Basketball. Hall of Famers like Vitale need to be careful as they dance among the flames.
Dick Vitale is a joke who always kisses up to high-profile coaches like Calipari. He's also impossible to listen too. I didn't hear his take on the Rose stuff because I had the volume muted -- the only way to watch any game with Vitale as a commentator.
Vitale is the most cringe-inducing announcer in college sports.
It's okay Tigers. There's nothing to be blame. You had made your best and remember there will be a lot of games to come for you to play. Give your best in practicing and I believe you will get what you deserve. God bless.
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