Kentucky Tourney Loss is a Warning to Memphis...

[pedro_lee]

... Experience and upperclassmen leadership is important for an NCAA Championship run. Haters can blame Cal's coaching miscues as they always do in the Kentucky loss, but what I saw were young frosh overly frustrated and losing composure as they game went on (as well as taking bad shots). As heralded as Memphis's class will be next year, the Kentucky game solidified the importance of having Elliot Williams, Witherspoon, and even Sallie back for next year.

[68K]

Who is this Weatherspoon kid I keep hearing about?

[SmokeyOneKenobi]

so the importance of senior leadership isn't a myth?

It isn't just the haters blaming Cal, it is the entire CBB community. Cal is NOT a good bench coach, and last night was yet another illustration of his deficiencies. He refuses to make defensive adjustments; he always has until it is too late. Watching last night's game was eerily similar to the Memphis / Missouri game from a year ago. The man is a PR and recruiting machine, but I've seen better coaching at my local community center.

Cal sucks and I'm glad he isn't our problem anymore.

[uofmcamaro]

I don't buy that. They had played so many games already. So many big games too. By this point in the season Al McGuire would have said they weren't freshmen anymore, but sophomores.

I would think that the biggest problem with this team was ego. They thought they were it and were told they were it. And lets be honest, if you watched them play, they were. They hadn't had many close games like that. I guess what I mean to say is that they hadn't faced adversity.


I just refuse to buy in to the "youth" excuse. They were young, but if they could play in the NBA right now then there is no excuse. They just were out played.

[Chase0881]

IMHO, If E-Mail stays we will only have one Freshman starting next year.

PG Joe Jackson (Freshman)
SG Elliot Williams (Junior)
SF Wesley Witherspoon(Junior)
PF Angel Garcia(Sophmore redshirt)
C Coleman(Senior)

That is a whole lot more experience then the Kentucky team from this year. Some of our fabulous freshman will be coming of the bench sometimes. We will not have to depend on 3 Frosh EVERY night like UK did. National Championships are hard to come by though you have to go 6-0 in the Tournament (1/64 chance).

[memphisfan81]

I just refuse to buy in to the "youth" excuse. They were young, but if they could play in the NBA right now then there is no excuse. They just were out played.

Yeah I agree with you as well. The notion that "youth" is why they lost is basically BS Seriously. Huggins knows EXACTLy how to play Cal's teams which is a big part of why they lost. You get that exact same team to coach "K" and they win by at least 20 no question. Ive said it over and over Cal NEEDS SUPERIOR talent to be successful and to cloak his lack of on-court changes .

[bionicgrov]

It's all about attitude. Derrick and Tyreke didn't have any problems by the time the NCAA tournament started and they sure didn't play like freshman.

[Chase0881]

What I saw out there IMHO, was a pretty decent attitude by Wall. Cousins, Orton, and Bledsoe on the other hand Jeeezzz they acted so ignorant.

Oh yeah Darius "Technical Foul" Miller was acting pretty crazy to. (The DeMarcus Cousins slap to the nuts on the West Virginia player was uncalled for should have been a flagrant foul)

Also, I do not know if yall noticed but at one time Daniel Orton was trying to Coach UK during a timeout and you could reads Cal's lip he was like shut up don't listen to him and listen to me. This is a great example of the inmates running the asylum (Cal).

[althor]

Yeah this post was fail. Two reasons.
1. Cal has lost time and time again this exact way and has done nothing in 10 years to correct it. Zone is the biggest weakness to DDM. Any team that packs in a tight, physical zone has a better than average chance to beat KY. A good team with long talented players that packs in a tight, physical zone is gonna spank a Cal team's rear. Proven year in and year out. Thank goodness we no longer have Cal in Memphis. He will never get further than his freshmen talent can carry him.
If you think this loss, and all of his past losses, arent strictly on Cal's shoulders then you havent watched enough of Cal basketball to make a decision. "We make them when it counts."
2. Did you guys see the way WV owned KY with that curl screen to the basket? Over and over and over. Remind you of anything? Perhaps the Missouri game last year in the Elite 8 where they scored on us at will with a curl screen to the basket?
No adjustments were made in any way for either of the above points. Hasnt been an adjustment made in 10 years. Stomping your feet and calling the players p$$$$$s doesnt help them in any way.

[jersyko]

Don't forget one advantage Memphis' freshman class has: most of them have already played together as a team and have already won a championship together.

[Machiavelli]

... Experience and upperclassmen leadership is important for an NCAA Championship run. Haters can blame Cal's coaching miscues as they always do in the Kentucky loss, but what I saw were young frosh overly frustrated and losing composure as they game went on (as well as taking bad shots). As heralded as Memphis's class will be next year, the Kentucky game solidified the importance of having Elliot Williams, Weatherspoon, and even Sallie back for next year.

0 Shawn Taggart F 6-10 230 So Richmond, Va.

1 Willie Kemp G 6-2 175 So Bolivar, Tenn.

2 Robert Dozier F 6-9 215 Jr Lithonia, Ga.

3 Joey Dorsey F 6-9 265 Sr Baltimore

5 Antonio Anderson G 6-6 210 Jr Lynn, Mass.

14 Chris Douglas-Roberts G 6-7 200 Jr Detroit

20 Doneal Mack G 6-5 175 So Charlotte, N.C.

23 Derrick Rose G 6-3 190 Fr Chicago

31 Chance McGrady G 6-2 180 Jr Auburndale, Fla.

32 Jeff Robinson G 6-5 210 Fr Columbus, N.J.

35 Hashim Bailey F-C 6-10 273 So Paterson, N.J.


Looks experienced enough too me, maybe Dorsey should have told everyone to foul before the shot heard around the world. Maybe the jr CDR should have reminded everyone to foul considering MS State almost pulled the same feat off earlier in the tournament. Cal has to be a great coach, only a great coach would be up by nine and have your best big man on the floor with 4 fouls. Robert Dozier was a junior, why did he not call a timeout?

[uofmcamaro]

UK, this year, was never focused before games. They were dancing and what not in the hall way. Chest bumping and dancing all around. No business to it. I'd say that has more to do with it then youth. And you can't say "well it was the young kids doing it" because if you watched SC this morning you'd see Patterson right in the middle of it.

Come to think of it, did Patterson even do anything last night?

[Machiavelli]

Who is this Weatherspoon kid I keep hearing about?

That was the guy Hardaway posterized about 18 years ago.

[BealeStreetTiger]

No team can win if they continue to throw up brick after brick. It also looks like Calipari (yep, thanks to WV I can say his name ) took his voodoo free throw magic to Lexington too.

We’ll have a good mixture of young & experienced players and I don’t see us missing 20 3’s in a half or shooting 53% from the free throw line. Kentucky didn’t have a pure shooter and it caught up with them last night like it did in their loss to UTK.

[tigerjohn]

I think that Kentucky didnt get the experience playing in the SEC. The Sec is so watered down they ran thru it like swiss cheese and only had a couple close games.Sure they lost a couple road games but it happens. By the way the previous comments were all sarcasm .

[m-town]

Liggins got the tech, not Miller. Garcia probably will be coming off the bench. Kendrick or Barton will start. Either way, Pastner will have a big challenge of keeping everyone happy with minutes.

[BealeStreetTiger]

UK, this year, was never focused before games. They were dancing and what not in the hall way. Chest bumping and dancing all around. No business to it. I'd say that has more to do with it then youth. And you can't say "well it was the young kids doing it" because if you watched SC this morning you'd see Patterson right in the middle of it.

Come to think of it, did Patterson even do anything last night?

The WV players did the “John Wall Dance” when they were leaving the floor.

[althor]

Liggins got the tech, not Miller. Garcia probably will be coming off the bench. Kendrick or Barton will start. Either way, Pastner will have a big challenge of keeping everyone happy with minutes.

Who would start in Garcia's place? Are you saying Kendrick or Barton would be starting at the PF? That would be very suprising if a wing player started at PF. We have been told Spoon playing the 3 next year was instrumental in his return.

[PAWR]

Cal has to be a great coach, only a great coach would be up by nine and have your best big man on the floor with 4 fouls. Robert Dozier was a junior, why did he not call a timeout?

Once the Kentucky nation realizes Cal cant coach a lick and sees his egotistism for what it is they will chew him up and spit him out. Its not if but when. Say what you will, but Kentucky fans know their basketball and Cals antics will not play long in Lexington. The only thing that will prevent this is if Cal, as he usually does, stays one step ahead of the posse.

[membjs]

Everybody is down playing Tarik Black, maybe he steps in as a starter and plays big minutes. I think this would be better, since the 4 position is more defense related and bring Garcia in off the bench for scoring. Between Jackson, Kendrick, Barton, Spoon, Williams, and Crawford are all going to be battleing for minutes. That is 6 people fighting for 3 positions. I am not sure if that = success?!?!

[SkyKing]

inexperienced mean nothing....the reasons they lost b/c VW lucky with their 3 point shooting and horrible offensive set on KY side, why the hell was John Wall standing at the middle court? give the ball and he will blow pass everybody...

[TGR]

IMHO, If E-Mail stays we will only have one Freshman starting next year.

PG Joe Jackson (Freshman)
SG Elliot Williams (Junior)
SF Wesley Witherspoon(Junior)
PF Angel Garcia(Sophmore redshirt)
C Coleman(Senior)

That is a whole lot more experience then the Kentucky team from this year. Some of our fabulous freshman will be coming of the bench sometimes. We will not have to depend on 3 Frosh EVERY night like UK did. National Championships are hard to come by though you have to go 6-0 in the Tournament (1/64 chance).

Will Barton off the bench! I don`t think so.

[SteveMann]

For Memphis to have a chance to win a National Championship next year, the entire team has to make a commitment to "in your shirt" defense. They will have to stay focused and be committed to playing as a team with one goal in mind...National Championship. If there are problems with chemistry and players auditioning for the NBA during the season, the dreams of a National Championship will remain that, just a dream.

[Nirvana1988]

Please stop it! The man is not the greatest x's and o's, but he is not the worst. Criticize coaches from game to game with the decision they make and you talking about the not fouling, most coaches before that happen wouldn't foul, including Bob Knight and he was a real bad coach. I keep saying it at Umass he had ONE NBA player who was not highly recruited, and won constantly. Also, he has the eye for diamonds in rough players, Marcus Camby, Joey Dorsey,Carney, CDR, AA, Dozier, and others. When he was here y'all didn't present this arguement, hey I hate the man for what he did but give credit were it is do, those four years was amazing and it took us to heights we never been before(1 seed, 2 seed, 1 seed, 2 seed) and do y'all remember the years before he got here was like? plus we not Kensucky, so we be ok with an Elite 8, and won't complain. lol

[Zach Paxton]

Who would start in Garcia's place? Are you saying Kendrick or Barton would be starting at the PF? That would be very suprising if a wing player started at PF. We have been told Spoon playing the 3 next year was instrumental in his return.

Will Barton is most likely to be a starter either a the 2 or 3 guard spot because of his height and the fact that he's probably the most NBA-ready. Think of Witherspoon at the 4 spot in the role of Rashard Lewis for the Magic. A guy who can spread the floor and shoot the 3. It just provides mismatches for traditional power forwards. And come to think of it, Rashard Lewis was one of the guys from Houston, TX who Pastner coached when he was in high school. He's turned out alright. Spoon just needs to add more strength and gain some more weight.

[Tiger3760]

For Memphis to have a chance to win a National Championship next year, the entire team has to make a commitment to "in your shirt" defense. They will have to stay focused and be committed to playing as a team with one goal in mind...National Championship. If there are problems with chemistry and players auditioning for the NBA during the season, the dreams of a National Championship will remain that, just a dream.

The two things the Tigers must do to win next year are the same two things we have done in the past, except this year because of the shortage of players. They must play defense (in your shirt or belly button or lights out, etc.) with great intensity and they MUST REBOUND. This are the things you can control from game to game and they have to do with commitment and great effort. With the players playing at this level of intensity and with this work ethic, there will plenty of playing time of all.

We will be able to press next year for forty minutes and will have enough offense fiepower we should be able to find someone who can score. It should be fun for years to come with CJP here to lead the way.

[SmokeyOneKenobi]

Please stop it! The man is not the greatest x's and o's, but he is not the worst. Criticize coaches from game to game with the decision they make and you talking about the not fouling, most coaches before that happen wouldn't foul, including Bob Knight and he was a real bad coach. I keep saying it at Umass he had ONE NBA player who was not highly recruited, and won constantly. Also, he has the eye for diamonds in rough players, Marcus Camby, Joey Dorsey,Carney, CDR, AA, Dozier, and others. When he was here y'all didn't present this arguement, hey I hate the man for what he did but give credit were it is do, those four years was amazing and it took us to heights we never been before(1 seed, 2 seed, 1 seed, 2 seed) and do y'all remember the years before he got here was like? plus we not Kensucky, so we be ok with an Elite 8, and won't complain. lol

I will say it again. He sucks as a bench coach. I don't see how you can deny what he has proven over and over and over.

[BealeStreetTiger]

Everybody is down playing Tarik Black, maybe he steps in as a starter and plays big minutes. I think this would be better, since the 4 position is more defense related and bring Garcia in off the bench for scoring. Between Jackson, Kendrick, Barton, Spoon, Williams, and Crawford are all going to be battleing for minutes. That is 6 people fighting for 3 positions. I am not sure if that = success?!?!

In many situations I can see us playing 4 guards/wing players when opponents have smaller players. Coach Pazz has also said he wants to be successful with EVERY possession, offensive & defensive, and also run more.

I think everyone will get decent minutes with this scheme and I’m sure Pazz will figure it out.

[Tiger3760]

I will say it again. He sucks as a bench coach. I don't see how you can deny what he has proven over and over and over.

He has worked very hard to get where he is. He got his his teams to work very hard at both schools and overachieved at both schools. He put together the team at Larenburg Prep which started our run to the Elite Eights and then rose to the top with his "WWW one and done recruits".

The last group was the best and they went to UK with him for the 35 million dollar Elite Eight, and lost not because he can't coach, it's because he gets out coached at high levels of competition.

[memphismo23]

Everybody is down playing Tarik Black, maybe he steps in as a starter and plays big minutes. I think this would be better, since the 4 position is more defense related and bring Garcia in off the bench for scoring. Between Jackson, Kendrick, Barton, Spoon, Williams, and Crawford are all going to be battleing for minutes. That is 6 people fighting for 3 positions. I am not sure if that = success?!?!

Whats hard about splitting 40 minutes for 6 people at three different positions? Logically its 20 minutes a piece which is more than enough time especially for freshman. Take into account Fouls and foul trouble, fatigue, on and off nights, match ups it will all work out just fine. Not to mention this is what these kids signed up for to play together and try win a championship they knew who was going to be here with them and that they have to check egos at the door for the common goal of winning.

Kendrick will be the back up point guard more than anything else but also some 2 and 3, Barton and Elliot will get a majority of those minutes at the 2 and 3. Spoon will be a three but some minutes at the four also. Minutes will not be a problem and Our Coach can actually coach and handle his guys so that gives us a leg up.