Memphis Roar

February 16, 1951, will always be remembered as a special day in Memphis, Tennessee.  This is the day that future player and coach, Larry Finch, of the University of Memphis (formerly Memphis State) was born and began his passionate journey to help transform a city into a basketball dream land.

Finch is the cornerstone of Memphis basketball as we know it today.  He was the first to play for a national championship, the first to get the big recruits,  and the first to stay at home.  This route proved to be inspirational for our city and it came at a critical time in our nation’s history.

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What does 31.65 million dollars spread over 8 years buy?  It may buy the potential number one recruiting class in NCAA history.  It may eventually pay out dividends in the form of a national championship.  Some other things it will get you? Pessimism? Paranoia? Abused players? Curse words by the barrell? Soiled reputation?  So, when the University of Kentucky purchased John Calipari and his services, they took the good and the bad. One thing Kentucky couldn’t buy from Memphis when they convinced Calipari to make a deal with the devil is the Tiger pride that has been a part of this city long before Calipari became the Elvis of the 21st century.

Speaking as a fan, I am glad that John Calipari has moved on to another place.  If you are an opposing fan reading this, you are more than likely going to claim “sour grapes”. Whatever, but it’s the truth. I was tired of the negativity.  I was tired of the paranoia with the media, the “everybody is really out to get us” attitude and of course the dramatic screaming and yelling. I became increasingly embarrassed by the jumping up and down during games, the curse words that could be read on his lips every time he spoke to a referee (e.g. games like Missouri, when he got one technical and should have gotten another when it was instead given to the “bench”). Winning had made many fans turn a blind eye to the antics of John Calipari, but not me. 

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On April 6^th, 2009, the University of Memphis began a new regime under the Josh Pastner Era.  With today’s meetings, banquets and press conference, Pastner now begins the job of continuing the success that the University of Memphis basketball program has become accustomed to over the last 9 years (four years more specifically). Memphis Roar has decided to take an in-depth look at Pastner and what accomplishments he has built. 

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 As Senior Day approaches this weekend, I have been giving a lot of thought about the teams over the past few years.  I’m positive that I will miss Antonio Anderson more than any other player in recent memory.  Anderson has had such a positive impact on the University, its fans and the entire city over the past four years.

During that time he has had countless moments of inspiration in the biggest of games.  I remember his freshman year when he scored 36!! on Cincinnati, the old foe that we always love to beat.  I recall how he calmly stood at the line and knocked down the two biggest free throws during the “home” game that we played in San Antonio against Texas A & M, propelling us into the Elite Eight.  And of course, how could I forget how he demoralized opponents with his defensive prowess every time he stepped on the court?  Anderson embarrassed some of the elite players in the country with his play, especially in last year’s tournament.  I am convinced that, based off of his efforts, he has single handedly made a few players return to school instead of opting for the NBA. 

Those are examples of why the man we call “Tone” will be immortalized as a Tiger great, but not the reasons why I will miss him.  I will miss him because of his glue with the team, his actions around fans and his mighty heart. 

I have sat through practices were he has scolded his teammates, encouraged them and molded them.  Just the other day, I was sitting at a practice when Coach Calipari stopped everyone and made them watch Shawn Taggart.  The team was running a rebounding drill where they would throw the ball off the back board, rebound it and then attempt to score, while coaches pushed them from both sides with pads.  Taggart had gotten frustrated and each time he would get the rebound. Although the coaches were almost pushing him to the ground with the pads, he would rise up and dunk right over them.  Coach Cal instructed the entire team to watch Taggart because that’s the intensity with which he wanted them to play.  While everyone stood in silence, Antonio Anderson was on the other side of the gym clapping as loudly as he could, screaming, “I hear ya Tagg!!! Go get ‘em!!!” 

I have seen him take a younger player to the side to explain how to run a drill; I have witnessed him slam a player against the wall that was disrespecting a veteran or coach; I have watched him squirm on the sidelines because he had shin splints and couldn’t practice with the team.  He has been Coach Cal on the court and Danny Thomas off of it.  I have never seen him turn down an autograph request (and there have been thousands) or not take a picture with a fan.  He’s the first one to take the blame of a loss and the last one to take credit for a win.  He is always there to defend a teammate (see flagrant foul on Roburt Sallie at Southern Miss.) and always there clapping in the huddle (even when we were down 7 at UAB last year).  During the summers, he would assist with Coach Cal’s camps and would tell every kid in the gym that he could be a Memphis Tiger too! 

Tone is the unequivocal, inspirational leader of the Memphis Tigers.  There will always be that player here that will step up and be the in-practice and on-the-floor leader.  Coach Cal has attempted throughout the year to get players like Pierre Niles and Willie Kemp to step up and take that role.  He has started referring to them more in practice when an example will need to be shown or some other clarification. 

They will be great leaders next year for another wonderful team….but to me, there will only be one TONE!

As the Memphis Tigers have ascended near the top of the basketball polls recently, one cannot help but notice one poll in particular:  the Ken Pomeroy Poll. MemphisRoar had a chance to catch up with the man himself, Ken Pomeroy, to get insight into his stats and what they mean for Memphis for the remainder of this season. 

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