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I cover Memphis today.
Next Friday is Miami.
Looked at a ton of stuff while writing this article and think that the end answer is well justified.
Go Tigers.
Not sure Memphis has all the variable to be an NC contender this year. It's asking a lot from a coaching staff and a roster that has never won an NC game to suddenly exhibit the poise and will to win 6 in a row.
However, I definitely think this team is one of may 15-18 teams that can legitimately get to the final 4.
The top teams: Duke, Indiana, Florida, Louisville and maybe Miami, are just too complete and well coached, and winning an NC means you probably have to beat at least two of these teams.
None of those teams is last years UK team, Carolina's 09 team or any of the 08 final four teams.
That's really what I'm going for. I'm not saying they're in that top four team range with IU, Michigan, MSU and Florida but I think they're one of those dark horse threats probably in the Arizona and Syracuse group.
I'd actually pick us to beat Zona. They are struggling man. Strugglin'.
(02-15-2013 02:53 PM)fishman6581 Wrote: [ -> ]I'd actually pick us to beat Zona. They are struggling man. Strugglin'.
Yeah, Zona is suspect. Like Mizzou last season.
(02-15-2013 02:54 PM)MemphisCanes Wrote: [ -> ] (02-15-2013 02:53 PM)fishman6581 Wrote: [ -> ]I'd actually pick us to beat Zona. They are struggling man. Strugglin'.
Yeah, Zona is suspect. Like Mizzou last season.
Watched them against Colorado last night and listened to them play Cal on Sunday. They're not that great...
Should have been beat by Colorado twice.
(02-15-2013 02:52 PM)Brother Bluto Wrote: [ -> ]None of those teams is last years UK team, Carolina's 09 team or any of the 08 final four teams.
At least statistically, IU and Florida appear to be head and shoulders better than the rest of the field.
IF by some act of God, Congress, a team of hosses, a sustained adrenaline rush by CJP and staff, and a little luck, we could get in to the dance above a #8 seed, and play 6 consecutive games at the level we're currently playing, we could take on a UCLA, or a Duke and go on from there. "Contender" gets my vote.
(02-15-2013 02:58 PM)QuitoTiger Wrote: [ -> ]IF by some act of God, Congress, a team of hosses, a sustained adrenaline rush by CJP and staff, and a little luck, we could get in to the dance above a #8 seed, and play 6 consecutive games at the level we're currently playing, we could take on a UCLA, or a Duke and go on from there. "Contender" gets my vote.
I think the Xavier game will go along way if we win. Especially since its on ESPN2.
(02-15-2013 02:58 PM)MemphisCanes Wrote: [ -> ] (02-15-2013 02:52 PM)Brother Bluto Wrote: [ -> ]None of those teams is last years UK team, Carolina's 09 team or any of the 08 final four teams.
At least statistically, IU and Florida appear to be head and shoulders better than the rest of the field.
And Florida got spanked by a pretty mediocre Arkansas team. Granted it was at Bud Walton, but Arkansas sped the game up and controlled the entire game and blew them out. And just for reference Arkansas turned around and lost to Vandy by 18 in their very next game.
There is just too much parity this year.
Miami is a very interesting team, you'll have fun with them.
I pay more attention to them than any other team except Memphis, but I can't remember a team that has progressed more than Miami over the course of a season and a half. They went from a 20-13 team last season to a team that has not lost any games this season when their entire roster has suited up. (Lost to FGCU with Durand Scott out, lost their two other games when big Reggie Johnson was out).
Any of the starting 5 can go for 20+ on any given night. There isn't a better front court combo than Kenny Khadji (future NBA staple) and Reggie Johnson. Durand Scott is an elite scorer at the 2, and Shane Larkin is the most surprising Sophomore PG this season. His play has been just phenomenal. Their team defense is also great. Very conservative, doesn't force many TOs, but contests shots and limits second chance attempts.
But Miami gets nearly 30% of their points off 3 pt shots. If they stick to that kind of point distribution in March, and they suffer one off night from deep, they're done.
(02-15-2013 03:06 PM)Tygrys Wrote: [ -> ] (02-15-2013 02:58 PM)MemphisCanes Wrote: [ -> ] (02-15-2013 02:52 PM)Brother Bluto Wrote: [ -> ]None of those teams is last years UK team, Carolina's 09 team or any of the 08 final four teams.
At least statistically, IU and Florida appear to be head and shoulders better than the rest of the field.
And Florida got spanked by a pretty mediocre Arkansas team. Granted it was at Bud Walton, but Arkansas sped the game up and controlled the entire game and blew them out. And just for reference Arkansas turned around and lost to Vandy by 18 in their very next game.
That's just a single game. 2009 North Carolina was lauded as one of the best to ever lace them up and they lost to Boston College at home that season.
(02-15-2013 03:11 PM)MemphisCanes Wrote: [ -> ]Miami is a very interesting team, you'll have fun with them.
I pay more attention to them than any other team except Memphis, but I can't remember a team that has progressed more than Miami over the course of a season and a half. They went from a 20-13 team last season to a team that has not lost any games this season when their entire roster has suited up. (Lost to FGCU with Durand Scott out, lost their two other games when big Reggie Johnson was out).
Any of the starting 5 can go for 20+ on any given night. There isn't a better front court combo than Kenny Khadji (future NBA staple) and Reggie Johnson. Durand Scott is an elite scorer at the 2, and Shane Larkin is the most surprising Sophomore PG this season. His play has been just phenomenal. Their team defense is also great. Very conservative, doesn't force many TOs, but contests shots and limits second chance attempts.
But Miami gets nearly 30% of their points off 3 pt shots. If they stick to that kind of point distribution in March, and they suffer one off night from deep, they're done.
I was originally gonna do them today. Decided not to. But you're right. That's gonna be a REAL tough call. We'll see next Friday.
(02-15-2013 03:12 PM)MemphisCanes Wrote: [ -> ] (02-15-2013 03:06 PM)Tygrys Wrote: [ -> ] (02-15-2013 02:58 PM)MemphisCanes Wrote: [ -> ] (02-15-2013 02:52 PM)Brother Bluto Wrote: [ -> ]None of those teams is last years UK team, Carolina's 09 team or any of the 08 final four teams.
At least statistically, IU and Florida appear to be head and shoulders better than the rest of the field.
And Florida got spanked by a pretty mediocre Arkansas team. Granted it was at Bud Walton, but Arkansas sped the game up and controlled the entire game and blew them out. And just for reference Arkansas turned around and lost to Vandy by 18 in their very next game.
That's just a single game. 2009 North Carolina was lauded as one of the best to ever lace them up and they lost to Boston College at home that season.
I know. I was just pointing out that as good as they are they are still vulnerable.
Definite second round. Sweet 16 depending on our seed. 8/9 may be tough to get by the 1.
Guys...we are a CONTENDER. Some people forget the CRAZY talent that we have on this team...myself included. Part of the forgetting was the underachieving of some of those highly regarded players the past couple of years. Well, those guys are achieving right now, and at a very high level. Throw in an "x-factor" like DJ, and you have a team that has the capability of hanging with anyone in the country. We can definitely run off 6 in a row.
The Tigers have all the intangibles....We have not gotten the eruption from the post play that we know that this team is capable of Tarik Black is bomb waiting to take explode. Notice when Joe is in the game he really looks for Tarik down low.
I'm impress with how Josh is coaching this team and how the players now are responding.