Column: Oops, Memphis is actually good
April 1, 2008
For the first time in NCAA tournament history, all four No. 1 seeds advanced to the Final Four. But in pursuit of the Final Four, it was not Stephon Curry and Davidson or Joe Alexander and West Virginia that surprised the country the most.
Rather, it was the Memphis Tigers, who through terrific talent, coaching and the mastery of intangibles, defied every critic, including myself.
Despite entering the tournament with a 33-1 record and the overall No. 2 seed, the Tigers squad was forced to play more like an underdog than a favorite, finding doubters at every round. With an early scare in the South Region to Mississippi State, predictions for a Memphis loss in the upcoming rounds became commonplace. And as Tennessee, the lone team to defeat Memphis in the regular season, fell to Louisville, predictions became louder and the pressure on the Tigers’ shoulders got heavier.
In its 3-point win against Mississippi State, Memphis was 15-of-32 on free throws, lowering its already abysmal team percentage, which at a 59.7 percent ranked them at 326 of the 328 teams in Division I basketball. It appeared that any team that could hold Memphis to a narrow lead through most of a game would eventually win down the stretch.
As the third-round came to fruition, many thought Michigan State would be the team to spell Memphis’ demise. Behind Tom Izzo and his four Final Four appearances was the perfect setting for a Memphis loss.
With cynics at every corner, Memphis put on a show for the ages, beating Michigan State 92-74 with a 30-point lead at halftime. More impressive was the team’s ability to finally capitalize on free throws, sinking 74.3 percent. The free throws might have not made the difference, but combined with an 18-point victory, the critics were momentarily silenced.
Never before had a team with such talent been given such poor chances to succeed in the court of public of opinion. Despite three straight 30-win seasons and a third straight trip to the elite eight, Memphis was not given the respect it deserved. As the lone representative from a weak Conference USA, many refused to believe Memphis had the experience or willpower needed to beat Texas.
But just as Memphis has dismantled Michigan State, it beat Texas in an equally impressive fashion, holding Texas superstar guards DJ Augustin and AJ Abrams to a combined 33 points. The two shot a combined 10-of-34 from the field. In addition to denying the Texas powerhouses, Memphis’ own stars shone bright Sunday. Junior Chris Douglas-Roberts and freshman sensation Derrick Rose scored a combined 46 points to lead their team to the Promised Land.
The No. 1 Memphis Tigers had a difficult road to the Final Four. Due more to nonbelievers than opposing talent, they were forced to play with a chip on their shoulders. In the process, Memphis shocked countless fans, critics and writers, myself included. The newest road to the championship will be difficult, but if Memphis has taught us one thing, it is to never doubt the favorites.
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