In our last two season, the Memphis Tigers have had two primary strengths. The first, and by far the most obvious, has been the furious defense. Both of our last two teams have been notorious for holding opposing teams to low scores.
In 07-08, Joey Dorsey was an extremely prevelant defensive presence. Derrick Rose was also extremely dedicated to defense, and that has benefited him in his NBA career as many players at that level are more interested in offensive accomplishments.
In 08-09, it was more of a team effort. Antonio Anderson was most certainly the defensive leader. He always defended the opposing team's top scorer, and he did it well. Anderson held many talented scorers to embarassingly low field goal percentages.
Tyreke Evans also did a great job as a defender because he usually presented himself as a tremendous mismatch for most NCAA point guards. Taggart also proved his defensive abilities in the tigers second match against Tulsa that season. He basically single-handedly ensured that the Tigers would not need another miracle buzzer beater to finalize their victory over Tulsa.
I don't expect next season to be much different on the defensive end. Willie Kemp has proven himself to have a tremendous dedication to the defense, which coupled with him incredible speed, makes him a difficult player to score against.
Elliot Williams worked his way into Duke's starting line up his freshman year due, in large part, to his shut down defense.
Doneal Mack and Wesley Witherspoon have shown signs of their ability to be solid players on a team oriented defense.
Most important of all, however, is William Coleman. He is a tremendous defensive presence. For a man his size, he has a rediculous amount of athleticism. Also, the fact that he has been compared to Joey Dorsey makes one believe in his defensive abilities.
The difference in next season will be between offensive strategies. The 07-08 strengths laid in three areas. The first was Derrick Rose's uncanny ability to finish at the hoop and score, if necessary. The second was Chris Douglass Roberts ability to seemingly score a will. Finally, Joey Dorsey was able to slam in almost any lob or missed shot to ensure two points for the University of Memphis Tigers basketball team.
The 08-09 offensive relied primarily on the ability of Evans to attack the rim. If he was unable to finish, he had several options to dish the ball off to. He could pass to Taggart for a dunk, he could give it to Dozier for a back to post finish, or he dish it to either Sallie or Mack for a 3-pointer.
Next season will most likely be all about raining threes. Think about it. Kemp's strong point is his 3-pointer, Doneal Mack's strong point is a 3-pointer, Elliot Williams strong point is his 3-pointer, hell, even Garcia's strong point is his 3-pointer. The best part is, their shots won't be nearly as risky with a guy like William Coleman to either slam it in or grab the rebound.
In any case, next season sure should be interesting.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Who should start point guard for the Memphis Tigers?
The three names that are most commonly tossed around are Willie Kemp, Elliot Williams, and Doneal Mack. Roburt Sallie and Wesley Witherspoon are certaintly possibilities, but I wouldn't bet on it.
Sallie does a great job as a shooter. Also, his ability to energize the offense off the bench shows his perfect role for this particular team. Witherspoon could mature into a decent point guard. With his skill set, I find it difficult to believe coach Pastner would use him in this way unless he adapted it to a Penny Hardaway style point forward position.
Most likely, Elliot Williams will be the starting point guard for the Memphis Tigers. His more natural position is shooting guard, but in the tigers team, he could work out quite well at point. I mean hey, it worked out for Tyreke Evans.
In all honesty, I personally feel that Willie Kemp should be given the first chance to start as the Memphis Tigers point guard. During his freshman year he started, and that year the Tiger's team made it to the Elite 8.
During his sophmore year, he lost confidence when losing his role to one-and-done player Derrick Rose. He did, however, do a fairly good job as a shooting guard as he developed an admirable 3-point shot.
By his junior year, Kemp was playing with a tremendous lack of confidence. Once again he lost his starting point guard position to a one-and-done player by the name of Tryeke Evans. Even worse, Kemp struggled to find the 3-point shot he had developed during his sophmore year.
While Pastner will most likely use an offensive style similar to the Dribble Drive Motion that Memphis basketball has become famous for, he will probably also run slightly more set plays, and implement a Lute Olsen style Motion Offense. Willie Kemp will fit into that style of play better and will most likely gain confidence by working with a player-developement driven coach. The fact that no one and done players threaten to take his spot, will work to his advantage as well.
Then, Elliot Williams could take on an Andre Allen type role. Most of the time he would play as a shooting guard while Kemp played at point. When needed, Kemp could take a break. Then Williams would man the point guard position while Sallie jumped in for that shooter role he plays so well.
Sallie does a great job as a shooter. Also, his ability to energize the offense off the bench shows his perfect role for this particular team. Witherspoon could mature into a decent point guard. With his skill set, I find it difficult to believe coach Pastner would use him in this way unless he adapted it to a Penny Hardaway style point forward position.
Most likely, Elliot Williams will be the starting point guard for the Memphis Tigers. His more natural position is shooting guard, but in the tigers team, he could work out quite well at point. I mean hey, it worked out for Tyreke Evans.
In all honesty, I personally feel that Willie Kemp should be given the first chance to start as the Memphis Tigers point guard. During his freshman year he started, and that year the Tiger's team made it to the Elite 8.
During his sophmore year, he lost confidence when losing his role to one-and-done player Derrick Rose. He did, however, do a fairly good job as a shooting guard as he developed an admirable 3-point shot.
By his junior year, Kemp was playing with a tremendous lack of confidence. Once again he lost his starting point guard position to a one-and-done player by the name of Tryeke Evans. Even worse, Kemp struggled to find the 3-point shot he had developed during his sophmore year.
While Pastner will most likely use an offensive style similar to the Dribble Drive Motion that Memphis basketball has become famous for, he will probably also run slightly more set plays, and implement a Lute Olsen style Motion Offense. Willie Kemp will fit into that style of play better and will most likely gain confidence by working with a player-developement driven coach. The fact that no one and done players threaten to take his spot, will work to his advantage as well.
Then, Elliot Williams could take on an Andre Allen type role. Most of the time he would play as a shooting guard while Kemp played at point. When needed, Kemp could take a break. Then Williams would man the point guard position while Sallie jumped in for that shooter role he plays so well.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tiger Fannatic
My fascination with tiger basketball began in the 07-08 season. As a student at the university of memphis, it didn't take long for me to hear about our rediculous winning streak and our 3 powerhouse players Derrick Rose, Chris Douglass Roberts, and Joey Dorsey.
During the next offseason, I became interested in recruiting. It was obvious we wouldn't be able to pull together another 38-2 run, but two names, Tyreke Evans and Wesley Witherspoon, definately got my attention. I followed the tigers for the rest of the season, all the way to their sweet 16 appearance.
I was also following the recruiting for the upcoming season. Unlike the season before, it seemed very likely that the tigers would have a legitamit shot at the national championship. With guys like Nolan Dennis, Xavier Henry, and Demarcus Cousins already committed, (and John Wall likely to follow) who would be able to stop us?
Then fans were informed that John Calipari was targeted as Kentucky's next head coach. That was the beginning of the end. Not for tiger basketball mind you, but for me. I was scrounging for information like an addict.
First, I was looking for confirmation that Calipari had accepted the job. Then, I was looking to see who would be our new head coach. That was followed by the search for an assistant coaching staff. Don't even get me started on watching the Nuggets and hoping the would go ahead and lose already so Jack Murphy could announce his plans to join the Memphis Tigers.
By this point, I was hooked, and this offseason had more stories than I could handle. We kept our team, but lost our number one recruiting class. We kept Will Coleman, though. We got a top 20 recruiting in Latavious Williams, though we ultimately lost him to China. Lance Stephenson seemed to likely, at various points in his recruiting, but eventually signed with Cinncinnatti instead. We got a little known French forward named Martin Ngaloro. Then the Barton brothers, Will and Antonio, committed to our 2010 team. Elliot williams transfered to Memphis to be closer to his home. Pilgrim looked like he would transfer here from Kentucky, but that didn't pan out. Rose and Dozier were in the news for questionable SAT scores, with the former threatening to wipe out that 38-2 national title runner up season I hold so dear. Memphis high schools were producing lots of elite players that actually seem interested in staying in Memphis.
After my obsession grew, and my friends got tired of my constant tiger talk, I decided blogging would be an appropriate way to vent some of my built up basketball anxiety. I hope you enjoy.
During the next offseason, I became interested in recruiting. It was obvious we wouldn't be able to pull together another 38-2 run, but two names, Tyreke Evans and Wesley Witherspoon, definately got my attention. I followed the tigers for the rest of the season, all the way to their sweet 16 appearance.
I was also following the recruiting for the upcoming season. Unlike the season before, it seemed very likely that the tigers would have a legitamit shot at the national championship. With guys like Nolan Dennis, Xavier Henry, and Demarcus Cousins already committed, (and John Wall likely to follow) who would be able to stop us?
Then fans were informed that John Calipari was targeted as Kentucky's next head coach. That was the beginning of the end. Not for tiger basketball mind you, but for me. I was scrounging for information like an addict.
First, I was looking for confirmation that Calipari had accepted the job. Then, I was looking to see who would be our new head coach. That was followed by the search for an assistant coaching staff. Don't even get me started on watching the Nuggets and hoping the would go ahead and lose already so Jack Murphy could announce his plans to join the Memphis Tigers.
By this point, I was hooked, and this offseason had more stories than I could handle. We kept our team, but lost our number one recruiting class. We kept Will Coleman, though. We got a top 20 recruiting in Latavious Williams, though we ultimately lost him to China. Lance Stephenson seemed to likely, at various points in his recruiting, but eventually signed with Cinncinnatti instead. We got a little known French forward named Martin Ngaloro. Then the Barton brothers, Will and Antonio, committed to our 2010 team. Elliot williams transfered to Memphis to be closer to his home. Pilgrim looked like he would transfer here from Kentucky, but that didn't pan out. Rose and Dozier were in the news for questionable SAT scores, with the former threatening to wipe out that 38-2 national title runner up season I hold so dear. Memphis high schools were producing lots of elite players that actually seem interested in staying in Memphis.
After my obsession grew, and my friends got tired of my constant tiger talk, I decided blogging would be an appropriate way to vent some of my built up basketball anxiety. I hope you enjoy.
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