Surrounded by hall of famers and legends of the game, first year University of Memphis head coach Josh Pastner led an under-manned Tigers team that brought the fans in attendance to the edge of their seats at the 2009 Hall of Fame Showcase in St. Louis, MO. As greats like Lenny Wilkins, Denny Crum, Eddie Sutton and Rick Barry sat along the baseline, Pastner sat opposite, begging, pleading and coaching his seven-man team in a 57-55 loss against the University of Kansas, the number one team in the country.
Led by sophomore guard Elliot Williams’ 21 points (6-of-18 from the field) and six rebounds, the Tigers struggled on the offensive end of the floor (making only six of 25 beyond the arc). Wesley Witherspoon struggled. Willie Kemp and Doneal Mack both came in with seven points. Although Kansas shot forty-seven percent from the floor, defensively the Tigers shined creating 21 turnovers while shutting down Kansas’ offense in the final three minutes. Cole Aldrich finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds and blocked five shots.
With last night’s performance, the Tigers took the next step in their redemption tour. You may say, “What redemption tour? I didn’t hear about this.” It was originally planned two years ago on April 7th, 2008. The tour dates were finalized this past spring when John Calipari bolted to the University of Kentucky, followed closely by Josh Pastner’s hiring as head men’s basketball coach at Memphis. After two straight seasons capped off by disappointment, hurt and a ton of questions, the Tigers have set out on a whirl-wind tour to reenergize the Memphis fan-base and restore the Memphis basketball program.
To redeem is defined as the action of getting or buying back, to recover ownership of, or to save from the state of its consequences. For the last nine years, this Memphis basketball program belonged to neither the city of Memphis nor the players that made up its roster. The identity and direction was determined by one man, John Calipari. A mere six months after his departure, the message has been sent. This is no longer a team owned, operated and driven by one man.
“This is not about me,” are the often repeated words from Josh Pastner’s lips. “This is about the players, the former players and the city of Memphis. This is their team.”
Pacing the sidelines, Pastner continually pushed players on and off the floor to play hard at all times while continuing to play together as one unit. After the game, Pastner’s pre-game words still remained on the locker-room dry-erase board, “Play Hard. Stay Unified. Complete Effort.”
It was a site to be seen. A team of seven guys who played significant minutes, being led by a 32-year-old rookie head coach and being pushed by seven other players (six of which did not play a single second). Directly across from the Memphis bench was a crowd of rabid Tiger fans, outnumbered by those in attendance to see the Jayhawks but obviously surpassing them in fervor, heart and decibe l level.
Watching this scene unfold, it was clear that the first step of the redemption tour was complete. Convince the players and the city that this is indeed their team. After Elliot Williams’s potential game-winning three-point attempt clanked off of the back of the rim, Kansas fans took a deep breath, gathered their things and started up the steps of the Scottrade Center. On the other hand, Memphis fans stood where they were and continued to cheer for their team. Their fourteen players. Their rookie head coach.
While there will certainly be bumps and bruises along the way of this “tour”, the Tigers’ opening night was a success and the point was made loud and clear. The only thing that has changed with Memphis is its frame of mind.
“The message we sent is that nobody is going to run over us,” Elliot Williams said in the locker-room.
Down the hall and out one of the tunnels, 2,000-plus Memphis fans still cheering in the stands echoed his sentiments.
ESPN Articles:
Aldrich has double-double; Kansas avoids upset when Memphis’ 3 is long
KU not invincible; UM not going away
Have something to say? Talk about it on our message board!
Not a member? No problem. It's easy and FREE to sign-up here. Already a member? Join the conversation!