Also, we would like for you to submit your memories of Lorenzen and we will publish a running list of “fan memories” as they come in. Please submit both to brooks@memphisroar.com with an e-mail subject of “Lorenzen”.

R.I.P. Lorenzen Wright Signature #1

Always a Tiger Signature by Jenkz

According to sources, Josh Pastner asked for and received permission from Nicole Green, Assistant Director of Athletics – Compliance, to attend the event. Based upon a a misunderstanding of by-law 13.1.8.4 (4), permission was granted and Pastner attended. He wore a Memphis shirt, took pictures with local media, and openly talked about his visit while he was there. Pastner was not trying to hide anything, as he clearly thought his attendance was justified.

The same sources also said that, after learning that there may have been a potential misunderstanding with the rules, Pastner spoke with Minnesota head coach to discuss the mistake. Mbakwe was granted a full release from Minnesota to explore the option of a transfer and took an official visit to the University of Memphis in June.

“I think they probably misunderstood what the rules were,” Tubby Smith told the Pioneer Press on Tuesday. “It might have been miscommunication or something. I don’t know.”

While the term “secondary violation” never sounds pretty, this is a minor issue and is common-place. Unfortunately for Green, accountability for this one falls back on her, as it was her interpretation of the rules that led to the violation. Either way, this has been blown out of proportion. Memphis will not have to end their pursuit of the 6-foot-9, 245-pound Mbakwe.

Commentary

To add to the explanation of events above, I would like to add my own personal commentary.

First, Josh Pastner was already on the road attending the Best Buy Summer Classic in Minnesota. He did not make a special trip to Minnesota for this visit. Many times when on the road, the only access coaches have to the internet is their smart-phone. There should be no expectation for Pastner (or any other coach) to be able to access, read, and interpret a fuzzy by-law in circumstances like that. That is where reliance upon a compliance official comes in. He did what he needed to do by going thru the proper channels beforehand.

Speaking of the “proper channels”, Nicole Green is very good at her job. Most anyone that I know that’s worked/dealt/consulted with her (including myself) has nothing but great things to say about her. This was an honest mistake. She is also very well respected within the University, so there is no need for fans to throw her under the bus. Plain and simple, it was an accident.

This issue has been blown highly out of proportion and should not be a concern for Memphis fans. This isn’t the first time and it certainly won’t be the last time that something minor like this happens.

The ”Big 3″ for Memphis, along with other Tigers , are playing in the Bluff City Classic at Southwest Tennessee Community College. Suiting up for Team Magic is Wesley Witherspoon, Will Barton, Joe Jackson, Will Coleman, and Hippolyte Tsafack. To date, the only loss for the Magic comes with Barton out of the lineup, but there is a common theme anytime the Magic play; the opposing team tries their hardest to take the big three’s team down a notch. Current NBA players with Memphis roots along with legendary Memphis area ballers take their best shot at showing up the Tigers’ players.


In a game between the Magic and Thunder a few weeks back, former Grizzly reserve and local hero Lester Hudson was determined to motivate and lead his team to a victory against the Magic.  The Magic trio of Barton, Witherspoon and Jackson battled the Thunder in a back and forth nail bitter until the Big 3 sealed the deal with a series that included a huge 3-pointer by Will Barton followed by a steal and a near highlight film facial slam that was missed by Wesley Witherspoon.


In the Magic’s next game against the Knicks, they were matched up against the Knicks, whose roster includes NBA athlete Thaddeus Young as well as former University Memphis player and local legend Snap Hunter, former Florida guard Brandon Powell, Seton Hall big-man and Memphian Farrakhan Hall, and several other D1 players.  The Magic won this game convincingly, 112-93, in spite of a monster 38-point game from Thad Young. The Big 3 finished with a combined 77 points as Joe Jackson led with 29 points, Will Barton dropped 28 points, and Wesley Witherspoon chipped in a big 20 points.


The sole Magic loss came last Tuesday when they matched up against the Nuggets, a team comprised mostly of current and former Southwest Tennessee Community College players. Based on an eye test, the Nuggets were severely overmatched compared to the Magic who suited up Joe Jackson, Wesley Witherspoon, Will Coleman, Hippolyte Tsafack, and Jerry Dover Jr., son of Bluff City Classic founder Jerry Dover. With one of the big three missing (Will Barton was back home in Baltimore, MD), the Magic fell to the Nuggets 121-117.


That same Nuggets team turned around on Thursday and defeated the second Memphis-led team. The Suns, led by Jelan Kendrick, Chris Crawford, Antonio Barton, DJ Stephens, and Drew Barham, continued their lack-luster performance after a hot start by Jelan Kendrick. Kendrick scored 12 of the Suns’ first 17 points.


With both the Suns and Magic coming off of a loss and with Will Barton back in the fold for the Magic, it will be interesting to see these two teams face off tonight at 6:30.  During half-time of the Suns’ game last Thursday, Will Barton said, “I can’t wait to get back next week. We’re gonna kill the Suns.”


Will Barton is back and the Suns now face the same challenge that the Thunder and Knicks could not meet. Chris Crawford started out the Bluff City Classic with a few jaw-dropping performances, but has since stepped back out of the lime-light. Will he return to the form, pun intended, that had some many spectators in awe, dropping deep threes and ridiculous dimes? Jelan Kendrick has had his moments. Can he step back into the McDonald’s All-American shoes he arrived in Memphis wearing? Without a big-man up to this point, who will step up for the Suns against the Magic front-line of Will Coleman and Hippolyte Tsafack?


Absent of team, the early poise and maturity of these young Tigers is definitely a pleasant surprise. They have shown signs of developing that chemistry and teamwork on the floor that will push them to succeed this year. This whole team has something to prove and for the Tigers that make up the Suns roster, it starts tonight. Will Barton laid out the challenge. Will the Suns respond?


ROSTERS


Magic


Charles Carmouche

Joe Jackson

Will Barton

Will Coleman

Hippolyte Tsafack

Wesley Witherspoon

Leon Martin

AJ Nance

Johnny Jackson

Xavion Adams

Marcus Jones

Jerry Dover Jr.


Suns


Tarik Black

D.J. Stephens

Drew Barham

Antonio Barton

Chris Crawford

Jelan Kendrick

Jason Jones

Deon Lawson

Maurice Mickens

Anthony Jones

Earl Barron