Final Verdict on Tennessee-Memphis Game...Not Impressive
If you watched tonight's game featuring the #1 and #2 teams in the nation, you're probably thinking the same thing I am. These are the top two teams in the country? Maybe the best in the state of Tennessee. Calipari and Pearl better get their boys playing smarter, more fluid, fundamental basketball come tournament time. No way will this performance be good enough against UCLA, UNC, Duke, Stanford, Kansas, Georgetown, UCONN, WSU, or Texas in late March. Dan Shulman summed it up best when telling his broadcast partner, Dicky V "you probably shoot better free throws in your suit and loafers without any warm-ups." Memphis shot 41% from the line and under 40% from the field. Tennesse wasn't any better from the field, shooting 37%. At least they showed better than Shaq-like touch from the line, going 12-18. Even uglier were the sloppy turnovers and out-of-control guard play (besides Derrick Rose). I thought both teams were supposed to have the best athletes in the nation? All I saw were guys panting for air, unable to keep up with the frantic tempo. Besides freshman phenom, Derrick Rose, nobody stepped it up for the Tigers. CDR is a solid player but too often he plays out-of-control. Dorsey lacks discipline and poise and has zero offensive game. Despite their loss to Tennessee, I still like Memphis better. As for the Volunteers, the point-guard play was awful. They looked lost on offense and could barely bring the ball up the floor. Without the three Smiths and the spark from freshman, Prince, Tennessee would not have escaped with the W. Lofton was invisible out there, until the 2nd half when he was throwing up prayer fade-away 3s. More and more each day he reminds me of a poor man's J.J. Redick. Even the slow, pasty ex-Dookie could create his shot easier than Chris. Neither coach did a very good job managing the game. Obviously Pearl did a little better than Calipari. Maybe I haven't seen these two teams play enough, but I'd say both are overrated. It's possible that both played great defense limiting each other's opportunities and forcing the sloppy turnovers. Still, I don't see either squad making it past the Elite 8 and only their high seeds will get them to the Sweet 16.
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bob_sanderz
said February 24, 2008
Bodymore_MD said February 24, 2008
PS: Redick hasn't created a shot in his life.
droppinbombs replied February 24, 2008
TennTom said February 24, 2008
tipton87 said February 24, 2008
droppinbombs replied February 24, 2008
droppinbombs said February 24, 2008
ClipboardCasey said February 24, 2008
All it is gonna take is an effort like Duke had vs. UNLV in '91. The Vols and Togers need to learn from this game. Tenn's tournament prep might be best served if they lost to Vandy and came down to size.
Nonetheless - very entertaining hoops at times.
Casey
http://ccww.wordpress.com
cruisaC said February 24, 2008
droppinbombs replied February 24, 2008
tcbailey24
replied February 24, 2008
Erin Andrews is great
KatKat
said February 24, 2008
ernieg said February 25, 2008
laymedown said February 27, 2008
When u are the top 2 teams in college hoops...that means the main reason you got those spots is DEFENSE...These two put on a display of how u play ball at the highest level (except for the free throw part (in this ONE game)...Memphis has shown all year they can hit free throws when it's most important (down the stretch). Yes, this game was by far their most watched, so should this performance against another one of the nations top programs be the end all for this season for the Tigers. The ONLY competition I see for the Tigers is Tennessee and North Carolina.
And for all the talk of Conference USA being the worst conference in the country is way over blown, and really is that the Tigers fault??? I recall when the mighty (laughs) Big East took the top teams in C-USA - Cincy and Marquette - and bypassed Memphis in taken it into their fold. Where are these two teams now. And would all this talk be still happening if Memphis was the top team in the Big East...get real.
Give props where props are due. as far as the comment that this performance wouldnt be good enough against UCLA, UNC, Duke, Stanford, Kansas, Georgetown, UCONN, WSU, or Texas in late March. I laugh again. Someone not from the south hating on the south. we'll see who's "droppingbombs" in March.
laymedown said February 27, 2008