Return of the Roundball November 17, 2009
Posted by Matt in basketball.Tags: Arkansas Razorbacks, college basketball, John Pelfrey, Josh Pastner, Memphis Tigers
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I’ve been a college basketball fan ever since those hallowed days of yore, when Nolan prowled the courtside of Barnhill Arena and the May-Day combination teamed with the Big O to lead the Razorbacks to a Final Four in 1990. Later, we watched the Hogs bring home the 1994 National Championship and reach the final game again the following year. Since that time, Nolan left and was replaced by Stan Heath, who was in turn replaced by current coach John Pelphrey. Pelphrey has his work cut out for him this season, especially since five players are currently suspended from the team indefinitely. Tonight, the shorthanded Hogs, who only have six scholarship players, face #20 Louisville with coach Rick Pitino. On the bright side, in their season-opening trouncing of Alcorn State, Rotnei Clarke scored 39 points and hit a record 13 three pointers. The feat brings back memories of that magical national championship year when Al Dilliard put down 12 threes against Delaware State. Louisville will certainly be tougher than Alcorn State, but here’s to hoping for a miracle.
The second game I have a vested interest in is probably the biggest of the night, Memphis vs. #1 Kansas. In case you have forgotten, Kansas defeated the Tigers in the 2008 National Championship game (a game that was summarily stripped from the record books because Memphis was led by a cheater – curse you, Calipari!). This time around, though, Kansas is ranked at the top of the poll and Memphis is starting over from ground zero. Kansas is the definite favorite and should win this one, but we’ve got hope that our new coach Josh Pastner can lead the Tigers to a respectable finish. Then again, even if this season is rough one for us in the Bluff City, we currently have the #1 ranked recruiting class for next year, so there’s no reason to be down.
So, go Razorbacks and go Tigers! Let’s make this a season to remember!
Say It Ain’t So, Cal! March 30, 2009
Posted by Matt in basketball, Memphis.Tags: basketball, coach, John Calipari, Kentucky Wildcats, Memphis Tigers, NCAA
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Our local Memphis paper, the Commerical Appeal, reports today that Tiger coach John Calipari has been given permission to speak with officials at the university of Kentucky about their open head coaching position. Calipari is the winningest coach in Memphis history with a record of 253-68 since taking the reins in 2000, he’s won 5 conference championships and advanced to the national championship game in 2008. His recruiting class for next year has been ranked as one of the, if not the, best in the country.
In Memphis, Cal is a highly venerated leader who has led the team nearly to the very pinnacle of success and has turned the program into a perennial national powerhouse. His departure would be a terrible blow to the team and to a city that needs all of the bright spots it can get.
Kentucky and the SEC, though, offer a challenge and a level of exposure that a second rate conference like Conference USA just cannot compete with. The Wildcats are a storied program with a history matched by few others in the nation.
And, who knows, maybe he really has a thing for his cousin…
The Rain Falls… March 27, 2009
Posted by Matt in basketball, Memphis.Tags: loss, Memphis Tigers, Missouri, NCAA Tournament, rain
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There is a cold rain falling in Memphis this morning. Threatening clouds shroud the city in darkness, casting their pall upon the citizens who found their hopes and wishes dashed to pieces the previous night and diffusing the great joy for which they had yearned.
Another season is over.
Despite a valiant second half effort, our Tigers fell last night to Missouri, ending another great run for the Championship. Even though this 33 win season ended in the Sweet Sixteen, there is still much pride to be found around the city for our team.
But, the skies won’t stay dark and overcast forever. The rain will not fall for an eternity. No, eventually the sun will peak through the clouds again.
There’s always next year…
So Close… April 8, 2008
Posted by Matt in basketball, Memphis.Tags: basketball, Memphis Tigers, NCAA Tournament
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But we are still proud of our Memphis Tigers and the great season they had. Though we thought the free throw-missing demon had been fully exorcised, alas, its curse arose again at the end of regulation, leaving us emptyhanded.
Congratulations Memphis Tigers! Despite the loss, you have given those of us in the Memphis area something to be proud of.
One Game Left… April 5, 2008
Posted by Matt in basketball, Memphis.Tags: basketball, Memphis Tigers, NCAA Tournament
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How about our Memphis Tigers laying it on UCLA today? While I was incredibly happy to see them win, I have to admit that my bracket actually had them losing in the Sweet Sixteen to Pittsburgh and UCLA winning the championship…
Oh, well. Go Tigers! Let’s put it on those Jayhawks Monday night!
Matt’s Meandering Mind on Monday February 25, 2008
Posted by Matt in basketball, concert, Diana, family, Memphis, movies, music, random, Rebekah, sports, vacation.Tags: California, coen brothers, drive-by truckers, Memphis Tigers, No Country for Old Men, Oscars, vacation
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Last night, Bekah threw up after having an upset stomach for much of the evening, so, because Diana does not have the time to take off work, I’m at home with her again. She seems to be fine so far today, so I’m guessing it was something she ate yesterday that disagreed with her. Her day care does have a policy of not allowing children within 24 hours of throwing up, thus we are at home playing all day.
I didn’t watch most of the Oscars last night, but I did tune it for the last hour or so and see my favorite moviemakers, the Coen brothers, take home both the Best Director and Best Picture prizes. No Country for Old Men was the only movie up for the biggest award that I have seen, so I was a little partial to it. I really enjoy director Paul Thomas Anderson’s previous work (Boogie Nights, Magnolia, Punch-Drunk Love), so I’m looking forward to seeing his latest, There Will Be Blood.
For the past few weeks here in Memphis everything has revolved around this past Saturday’s basketball game, University of Memphis (who was ranked number 1 in the polls and was undefeated) vs. University of Tennessee (number 2 in the polls), and it did not disappoint, even though Memphis did come out on the short end. I’ll be interested to see how they fare in the postseason.
We have purchased tickets to next month’s Drive-By Truckers show and I’m pretty pumped about it. The new album, Brighter Than Creation’s Dark, is excellent – probably their best since 2003′s Decoration Day. The dark tales of southern life are among their best as they tackle everything from war to the scourge of crystal meth.
I can’t remember if I mentioned this before or not, but we have also officially decided on a family vacation this summer and have already purchased plane tickets for the June trip. We will be going to Huntington Beach, in the Los Angeles area, to stay with some of Diana’s family for a week and see the sights. Diana is very excited about going back to the West Coast and about taking the girls to Disneyland.
We’re Number 1! January 22, 2008
Posted by Matt in basketball, Memphis, sports.Tags: basketball, Memphis Tigers, NCAA
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While my first and foremost allegiance will always be to the Arkansas Razorbacks (Woo Pig!), since we moved to the Memphis metro 4 years ago, I have become a fan of Tiger basketball (which as of late has been much more watchable than Arkansas).
With North Carolina’s home court loss to Maryland, Memphis pushed ahead to the #1 spot in this week’s AP poll – the first time they have been there since 1983. With a 17-0 record, a convincing 14 point win over then #5 Georgetown in December (as well as wins over ranked foes USC and Arizona), and a middle school-level conference to breeze through, Calipari’s Tigers could conceivably finish the season undefeated. The only major roadblock standing in the way to perfection is a Feb. 23 cross-state matchup against 3rd ranked Tennessee.
They’ve gone to the Elite 8 for the past two seasons in a row, so this may be the year…
