Last season, Memphis head coach John Calipari called his team a dream team. “They play on a dream team, so let’s keep this up,” Calipari said. When the final buzzer of last year’s championship game sounded in the Alamodome, the Dream Team was crushed. The past success that it had laid out was void at that moment. Memphis fans were crushed. Flashback to 1992.

After falling short in the 1988 Olympic games, the United States assembled what is now known as The Dream Team shortly after FIBA allowed professional NBA players to begin participating in the Olympics for the first time. Of the twelve players on the team, ten were named in 1996 among the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

Establishing a knew reputation and legacy, the United States went on to win the Olympic Gold Medal in 1992, 1996 and 2000. The United States was now internationally dominant. They had a reputation. Greatness was expected of them. After being billed as the most dominant in its arena, the USA men’s national basketball team fell from greatness to the bottom of the barrel. Team USA failed to win a medal at the 2002 World Championship, finishing sixth. The 2004 Summer Olympic team lost three games on its way to a bronze medal. Team USA was crushed. Fans were crushed. After losing to Lithuania in pool play and Argentina in the semifinals, Larry Brown pronounced himself “humiliated”.

Enter The Redeem Team. Jerry Colangelo and Mike Krzyzewski resolved to build a team that would be a cohesive team and play defense with the goal of winning the ultimate, a gold medal.

Realizing the chance to salvage the USA basketball team, Kobe Bryant said, “We’ve been working really, really hard to get it done and now that moment is finally here.”

Having been part of the crushing blow in 2004, Lebron James made it clear that they were not The Dream Team, but a new, different team with a lot to prove.

“”But I’m part of something way different now. It’s a different feeling now, a whole new team. I didnt give us that name, but I like it,” added James. “Because we have lot to do, a lot to prove.”

Needless to say, it worked. After eight long years, the United States returned to its customary place atop the basketball world, winning the gold medal at the 2008 Olympics with an emotional and hard-fought 118-107 victory over determined Spain.

Turn back to 2009. At the start of this season, Calipari said, “If they haven’t gotten over it yet, when the banner goes up, get over it. Let’s move on.” This past Saturday, the Tigers and the city of Memphis showed their true colors and revealed that, indeed, they have moved on. Now, the University of Memphis basketball team has now officially started its road to redemption. This is a new, different team. Chris Douglas-Roberts, Derrick Rose and Joey Dorsey are now getting NBA paychecks. This team is not as flashy. What they are though is a cohesive unit that plays defense with the best of them.

Last year was coach John Calipari’s Dream Team. This team fits the bill of his Redeem Team. Bring ‘em on. Cal State-Northride. Maryland. California. Missouri. UConn. Louisville. Pitt. UNC. Michigan State. It doesn’t matter. This team has one thing in mind, win. If they could have taken the court last night against Cal State-Northridge, they would have. The only team on CBS’ Selection Special to show absolutely no emotion, this Tigers team is all business. Thursday begins their road.

SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE:

“What I’m talking about is it’s our time. It’s our time. They gave us a tough road. This is our time. ” -John Calipari on last year’s tournament draw

Memphis fans, be on national TV:

With the NCAA Tournament brackets now announced and Memphis heading to the Big Dance against Cal State this Thursday (after winning C-USA title number 4), Coke Zero is giving fans a chance to be in their new TV commercial airing before the championship game on April 6th. However, there are no video or photo entries for number 2 seeded Memphis yet on the “March Madabase” –

http://www.tastethemadness.com.

All Tiger fans have to do to enter is upload their most passionate videos/photos supporting their team, and they could be featured in a national Coke Zero TV ad on college basketball’s biggest night.

Check out how one die-hard Iowa State Cyclones fan secures his front row seat as an example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEw_Sxnl6vo
Head over to the official “Taste the Madness” site to submit entries and view videos/photos from colleges around the country:

http://www.tastethemadness.com