Memphis vs. SMU
Saturday, January 30th, 2010
2:00 PM CST
Moody Coliseum, Dallas, Texas
The Southern Methodist University Mustangs will host the University of Memphis Tigers today at 2 PM CST. The Tigers (15-5) will look to improve their 5-1 conference record, while the Mustangs (9-10; 2-3) will look to climb its way up the conference standings. In the Tigers’ last game against Marshall, the Tigers pulled out an impressive road win 75-72. The Tigers will need a similar grit and toughness on the road again against the Mustangs.
Moody Coliseum will be featuring a “red-out” as Memphis comes into town, making it the second straight road game Memphis has faced collaborative crowd efforts in hopes of knocking of the Tigers. SMU will need more than just the crowd to accomplish the upset. The Mustangs are led by senior guard Derek Williams (16.5 ppg) and junior forward Papa Dia (11.5 ppg, 7.8 rpg). The Mustangs will need both stars to have good games, creating a hard inside-out game for the Tigers to defend. The Mustangs will also need veteran role players such as Mouhammad Faye to keep the pressure on the Tigers in the paint.
The Tigers will need discipline on defense and to push the ball on offense. If the Tigers can keep the Mustangs in a transition game, SMU will have difficulty stopping Memphis. The Tigers will look to Elliot Williams offensively, and will continue to need veterans Doneal Mack and Roburt Sallie to step up. One question Tiger fans will be looking for answers in is Will Coleman. After an impressive performance against Marshall on Wednesday, Memphis hopes to see more domination from Coleman.
REASONS WHY OUR COACH IS HOTTER THAN YOUR COACH
The Tigers have traveled to Texas to face off against the Southern Methodist Mustangs. And while the Dallas weather will rein superior to that of the sleeting rain here in Memphis, their coach certainly holds no bar to Coach Pastner.
With that, I humbly give you, Southern Methodist University, the top three reasons why our coach is hotter than your coach:
1. Wednesday’s game commentary couldn’t have said it better myself. During the final minutes of the heart pounding Marshall game, Coach Pastner was shown as “calm as a 500 game player.” After leading his Tigers in only his 19th game as Head Coach, that would be a compliment for the record books. But from the looks of Matt Doherty’s many sideline aggravations, he could take a couple of relaxation tips from Pastner.
2. Fortunately for Memphis, Coach Pastner was not the inspiration for Sam the Eagle of the Muppet Show. Unfortunately for Southern Methodist, Doherty was. Exhibit A
3. I find it humorous to recognize the teams colors ultimately match the coach’s personalities. Memphis blue is calm, relaxed and ready to go. Mustang red is fiery, rushed and could trip on his heels. And yet again this week, Tiger fans will be subjected to watching the game full of spectators not covered in Memphis blue, for the Mustang fans have scheduled a “red out” of the game. But if we play our cards right, the color of the night will be Mustang-red Mustang fans, red with rage over the Memphis win.
*”Reasons Why Our Coach Is Hotter Than Your Coach” is brought to you by Whitney, Memphis Roar’s newest writer.*
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