I agree with this. This alone makes them an elite team. Yes, the CUSA was down but this team is getting stronger every week (yes, against bad teams).
This Tigers today are not the same team that got bitch slapped by Georgetown and Cuse. I think the turning point was the hard fought game in Tennessee. By the time they went to Zaga and blitzkreiged them, they were hitting on all cylinders. This team today would beat Gtown, Cuse (maybe) and X by double digits on a nuetral cout
And don't forget that MANY of these guys were here last year and lost what should have been a gimme championship if not for the coaching blunder. Lots of experience.
Their Defense alone will have them in the Elite 8....Easy! After that, anyone can beat anyone.
My point is this ... can we really go by 1 game they have showed against a real opponent? I mean, we saw Western Kentucky go in and dominate Louisville at Freedom Hall, but that is just 1 game. Any team can beat anyone on a given night if they are hitting on all cylinders. I just don't see Memphis doing this every night against good teams and we have yet to see this team do it.
Don't even compare Memphis from December to now. They are completely different team than before.
Also, Memphis' weakness has been 3 pt and FT shooting. Their FT has improved to near 70% (not great, but decent for them). The problem everyone faces when they play Memphis is not only the Tigers size, but they are athletic and long. Taggert and Dozier up front are as big as any combo in the Nation. FSU is the only team bigger than Memphis. Also, Evans is tall and strong and a matchup nightmare. For Uconn to win this game, they will have to prove they can shot well.
Do not underestimate this team. Honestly, it would not suprise me one bit if they won the National Title.
Neil Dougherty, the former TCU coach and KU assistant and I were talking about this about a year about a team's length. What happens when you play a team with memphis' size, you normally attempt a 3 pointer from about 20, 21 feet, now you get pushed back to 22,23 feet, shots start coming up short. They are extremely quick in terms of getting out in transition and defensive rebounding.
Yes, they played some weak teams, but don't think for a minute they can't match up. Some people said that about them last year, but they managed to destroy everyone in their path and if not for a 2 minute meltdown and 10 seconds of bad coaching, they are the national champs.
I'll say this: For Memphis to NOT make it to the Elite 8, they will have to; 1. Lay an egg; 2. Lose to a team that is just flat out unconscious from 3 point land. And it may take both of those things happening. But that would be a longshot.
Now, once they get to the Elite 8, obviously any of the #1 seeds could beat them.
I just think they could sleepwalk to the Elite 8. Even though these guys play in the weak conference, they are not intimidated by anyone. Actually, I think they're bored and are looking forward to playing some stiffer competition. They're a pretty confident bunch (which also can be a downfall when laying heavy lumber in the early rounds) .
But Bragg, I definitely like them in the 1st round to cover that 19 (which will go up). I don't see Northridge getting to 50. I'll be very interested in that total as well.
They name the score.
Now, once they get to the Elite 8, obviously any of the #1 seeds could beat them.
I just think they could sleepwalk to the Elite 8. Even though these guys play in the weak conference, they are not intimidated by anyone. Actually, I think they're bored and are looking forward to playing some stiffer competition. They're a pretty confident bunch (which also can be a downfall when laying heavy lumber in the early rounds) .
But Bragg, I definitely like them in the 1st round to cover that 19 (which will go up). I don't see Northridge getting to 50. I'll be very interested in that total as well.
They name the score.
When do you think Memphis loses? Only team that can beat them in that bracket IMO is UConn. Thabett has shown when taken at him he folds and Adrien doesn't show up in big games. Walker will have no shot vs. Memphis size and Austrie sucks. Price is the only guy that can do damage and he forces alot of shots.
I can see them getting to sweet sixteen and maybe the elite 8 because of their schedule ... so who knows. I just don't think they are an elite team. I guess it depends on who they end up playing. <br/>
I remember Louisville a couple of years ago got to play every upset team to get to the final four. I think they played almost every double digit seed until they reached the final four.
I remember Louisville a couple of years ago got to play every upset team to get to the final four. I think they played almost every double digit seed until they reached the final four.
