Anticipation looms for eager Tigers

By Adam Douglas

 

Sports Reporter

 

Aaron Turner

University of Memphis men’s basketball head coach Josh Pastner talks to the media about the Tigers’ upcoming season and of Memphis Madness.

 

In just one week, The University of Memphis Tigers men's basketball team will once again open its doors for Memphis Madness at FedEx Forum. But this year, there will be no Yo Gotti, the Memphis-born rapper, who opened the show last season for the Tigers. Instead, it will be Mississippi-bred rapper Rick Ross – or "Ricky Rozay" as head coach Josh Pastner put it – helping officially start the 2011- 2012 season for the No. 9 Tigers.

And of all the people ready for the season, Pastner seems to be the most eager.

"Most people know (Rick Ross) as Rick Ross, but I know him as ‘The Boss,'" he said. "For those recruits out there that don't know, I've got to plug myself for being a cool coach and for getting the boss-man here."

With the Tigers starting the season ranked in the Top-25 for a second straight year, Pastner and his players said that they like the idea of playing with a target on their backs once again.

"I tell my players that those rankings are nothing, that it just comes from recruiting," Pastner said. "Of course, last year we were ranked and you all saw how it panned out with this team, but I think we just weren't ready. This year I think we're more than capable, and I wish that we could start out being No. 1."

The Tigers will have plenty of chances to prove themselves this season, as they play one of the toughest schedules in the country. But with some of the best talent on in college basketball on the court, meeting the high expectations placed on Tiger basketball every season is a welcome challenge, some players said.

 "We aren't really worried about what other people think or say," said sophomore guard Will Barton. "No one's expectations of us are higher than the ones we put on ourselves."

Those expectations should be taken lightly because of maturity and leadership. And one of the most important things to look for this year will be the play of senior forward Wesley Witherspoon. Coming off a disappointing junior year in which he was often injured and suspended, Witherspoon knows how important his last season at Memphis will be for the Tigers and himself.

"This is my last one, and it's supposed to be the best one," Witherspoon said. "Coach expects me to be Wesley Witherspoon – Wesley's going to stay healthy and as long as I'm healthy, I'll be able to play basketball.  I'm an active basketball player, and that's what got me here."