Will next seasons team be a top 25?

I don't think anyone is expecting next season to turn out as well as the last, but with 30 plus wins, and only four losses, a step back certainly doesn't mean falling into obscurity.

A lot of people don't see next season's Memphis Tigers as being the top dog of conference USA, like they have been since the conference was reorganized. I'm not one of those people. Sure we won't be undefeated in conference play (I'm just hoping we can extend the streak long enough to beat Kentuck's all time high in-conference winning streak), but there are not many C-USA teams that will be able to handle the Tigers.

Their perimeter game will most definately be their strength. The Tiger's frontcourt is loaded with guys like Elliot Williams, Willie Kemp, Doneal Mack, Wesley Witherspoon, and Roburt Sallie. In this area, the talent, and depth, is not lacking.

The biggest problem will be at the post. I do expect Will Coleman to be an immediate impact player. As the number 2 ranked JUCO player, he has proven himself to be a beastly, yet still amazingly atheletic, player. He will be solid, but he cannot do it alone. Pierre Henderson-Niles has shown flashes of what he can do. He is an excellent rebounder and shot blocker. His contributions will be valuable, but most likely limited. He has never been in great shape, and it shows as he begins to huff and puff on the court (not something we can afford).

The person who will really need to step up to keep this team as a dominate program is Angel Garcia. He is our other freakishly athletic big man. The most interesting part about Garcia is that he plays more like a perimeter player than a post player. He already has his NBA range 3-pointer down. This makes me excited because it will change the way he plays his role as a power forward. Unfortunately, it also makes me nervous. We have plenty of 3-point shooters, and what we really need is someone to get down low. He needs to learn to play by the post. He has to pull down rebounds, block shots, and put his back to the basket.

If Garcia developes himself into a quality power forward, I believe this team will have no problems staying in the top 25, and having another impressive season. If he doesn't the team will still perform well, but the competition will have more opportunities to capitalize on their weaknesses.

Will next season Tigers play different?

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.