Every college basketball season starts with more questions than answers. With the University of Memphis opening its 2006-07 campaign Thursday night (against Jackson State at FedExForum), here are five early answers.
โข What kind of carry-over can we expect from last seasonโs 33-4 performance? How about zippo? Nada. The old goose-egg factor. The U of M enjoyed its finest season in more than a decade in 2005-06, but the style and flavor of this yearโs team could hardly be more different. With the departure of three stars, the team has lost 53 percent of last yearโs scoring. Rodney Carney (an All-American), Shawne Williams (C-USAโs Freshman of the Year), and Darius Washington were John Calipariโs first three options on offense a year ago, leaving Chris Douglas-Roberts as the top veteran scoring threat. Add to all this a freshman point guard ย Bolivarโs Willie Kemp ย establishing a tempo to his liking and you have some growing pains certain to bite before conference play begins in January. So raise the C-USA championship banner from a year ago, toast the Elite Eight appearance one last time. And move on to a new season and new team.
โข Who will be the leader of the the 2006-07 team? Washingtonโs departure will leave more of an intangible void than it will on the floor. Rodney Carney was a brilliant four-year(!) star, but he was as quiet as a church mouse after the opening-tip. Shawne Williams, alas, might have grown into a leader, but heโll have to do that now as an Indiana Pacer. Sophomore guard Antonio Anderson has the demeanor of a floor leader, if not the position. Look for Andre Allen to point the way for this yearโs squad, even if heโs coming off the bench for the precocious Kemp. Emotion counts for a lot in college hoops. Washington, as all of Tiger Nation remembers so well, wore emotion like Supermanโs cape. When chests need punching this winter, the fist will likely be that of Andre Allen.
โข What is John Calipariโs agenda? All those North Carolina State rumors last spring certainly didnโt hurt the sale tag for Conference USAโs highest profile. Entering his seventh year in charge of the Memphis program, Calipari has six 20-win seasons, an NIT championship, an NCAA regional final, two conference players of the year, and four conference freshmen of the year under his belt. So whatโs left to prove? Calipariโs been given everything heโs asked for at the U of M, so itโs easy to understand a comfort zone, even as far from his native northeast as the 47-year-old coach may be. And with the Final Four within sniffing distance just last spring, Calipariโs mission of making Memphis a โnational programโ is being realized. The U of M will not be John Calipariโs last coaching job. But for now, if it ainโt broke . . . ย
โข Who might surprise us this winter? Regardless of their prep credentials, freshmen are unknown variables, so weโll scratch Kemp, Hashim Bailey, and Pierre Niles off this list. But keep an eye on Robert Dozier. Among the five ballyhooed freshmen who arrived on campus a year ago, Dozier brought the least fanfare. But he developed into a major contributor off the bench, with his rebounding skills and, considering his size, nice offensive touch. Heโs the kind of player who will never be your star of the game, but when you check the stat sheet, itโs 12 points and eight rebounds, one night after another. Itโs not unreasonable to consider Dozier an all-conference candidate.
โข Which player can the Tigers not win without? Joey Dorsey. A true center is the rarest commodity in college basketball today. A player with size and strength, a shot blocker on defense, more comfortable on the blocks with his back to the basket on offense. Thatโs Joey Dorsey, folks, and thereโs no reason he shouldnโt aspire for all-conference honors this season. Late last season, after a win over a game UTEP team at home, Calipari said the following: โYouโve got to learn to play when guys are bumping and grinding, if you really want to do something unique. Every team we play is going to get rougher, and more desperate.โ If there is such a thing as a Calipari mantra, โPlay Toughโ is it. No one will provide more toughness for the 2006-07 squad than their 6โ9,โ 260-pound junior from Baltimore.
