Tigers start strong, hold on late against Harvard

     They say basketball is a game of runs. That fact couldn't have been more apparent than in today's game when the University of Memphis Tigers (14-3, 3-0 in Conference USA) saw plenty of runs from their opponent, the visiting Harvard Crimson. The Tigers saw a once 20-pont lead completely disappear before they prevailed, 60-50, in front of an announced crowd of 16,204.

"That was a very good win, that's a very good Harvard team," said Josh Pastner, head coach of the Tigers. "We won that game through defense. We had a big-time skid offensively where we were not in a rhythm, but held the third-best three-point shooting team in the country to just 25.0 percent (from three-point range) and 37.5 percent from the field."

Memphis started the game on a run, streaking to a 9-2 lead on the shoulders of junior guard Geron Johnson and freshman forward Shaq Goodwin. They would eventually take a 16-point lead into halftime, 32-16, but those pesky Ivy-leaguers would have an answer.

Harvard took advantage of poor decision-making and cold shooting by Memphis to close the gap to just seven points, 40-33. And just when the Tigers built another double-digit lead (44-33), the Crimson went on a 13-0 run to take a short-lived lead of their own, 48-46, over Memphis. 

"We knew they (were) going to make runs," said sophomore Adonis Thomas, who contributed with seven points and a team-high eight rebounds. "We broke down defensively, (weren't) getting back in transition, gave them easy layups. But coach stayed calm and went with a smaller lineup to protect the perimeter. It was all on us to do better." 

The Tigers responded out of a timeout with a mini 4-0 run that energized the crowd and also a slumping junior guard Chris Crawford. He made defensive stops down the stretch, and scored six of the Tigers' last eight points to close out the game and seal the win for Memphis.

"It feels good to somewhat break out of the slump," Crawford said. "I got a great rhythm in practice, but I gotta find it in the games. Tonight it helped me, but I will continue to keep doing what I'm doing, working hard, and hopefully I will get better."

Four Tigers finished in double figures. Not only did Crawford make it into double digits with 13 points to lead Memphis, but Goodwin (11), Joe Jackson and crowd favorite D.J. Stephens (10 apiece) all chipped in to help the Tigers earn another out of conference victory. Three Tigers (Goodwin, Stephens and Thomas) led the team to a +16 rebounding margin with 8 boards apiece.

Speaking of eight, this was the Tigers' eighth straight win - the longest such streak in Pastner's tenure. 

Much of it can be attributed to Stephens' play on both ends of the floor.

"Man, he's the MVP, he does everything right every time he touches the floor," Goodwin said. 

"To me, he's one of the five best Tigers in the history of this program - and I'm not talking talent wise either," Pastner said. "You have Penny Hardaway, Keith Lee, D.J. and the other two, I'll leave that up for debate." 

Tigers cruise past Bobcats, 84-58

Freshman forward Shaq Goodwin scores two of his 20 points Wednesday night against Ohio.

 

     The University of Memphis Tigers (5-2) finally appeared to be the team everyone expected. Memphis controlled the tempo, created turnovers and got easy baskets in transition, en route to an 84-58 victory over an experienced Ohio Bobcats (6-2) team Wednesday night at FedExForum in front of an announced crowd of 15,669. 

Though starting slow and falling behind early in the first half, Memphis got a spark from junior guard Geron Johnson off the bench with his tenacious defense and dept shooting skills. Johnson gave the Tigers a much-needed boost against a team that featured mostly juniors and seniors that reached the Sweet Sixteen last season.

"Geron, for the last couple of games, has changed the tempo of the game," said Josh Pastner, head coach of the Tigers. "He's tough, he has a high motor and a great energy guy. He loves to play defense."

On the defensive end, Johnson and the Tigers did well. He totaled three steals and three rebounds - to go along with a team high 21 points. The other Tigers weren't too shabby in the steal category either. Junior guard Joe Jackson tallied five steals to go along with 10 points and five assists.

"We had non-stop pressure, just wanted to make them feel uncomfortable, Jackson said. "We just wanted to come out and give a real good effort, effort against a team that went deep into the tournament last year. We're a comfortable team and a win like this helps us play together."

The Tigers led by a small margin of eight, 36-28, at the half. But Pastner inserted Johnson into the second half starting lineup and the Tigers responded with a 12-6 run, then another mini run to open the lead up to 19 at 63-44. This time around, it was the freshman big man Shaq Goodwin doing work to help increase the Tigers' lead.

"If you look at it, every time I turned around the ball was coming at me," Goodwin said. "We just ran our systems, ran our plays and I was just at the right place at the right time. I got gassed during that run at the start of the second half, but when I looked at coach he told me to dig in, and so I did."

Goodwin finished the game with 20 points, two assists and nine rebounds, one shy of a second career double-double. Four Tigers totaled in double figures, they also outrebounded the Bobcats 38-27 and held Ohio to 37.5 percent field goal shooting and 24.0 percent from behind the arc.

Tigers will have a couple of days to practice before getting ready to take on Austin Peay on Saturday. Game is slated for a noon tipoff. 

Tigers escape Samford at home 65-54

 

photo by Spruce Durden

Junior guard Antonio Barton drives to the bucket for two points against a Samford defender

 

     In a more tightly contested game than most expected, the No. 16/17-ranked University of Memphis Tigers (2-0) survived a scare at home from the Samford Bulldogs (1-3) Saturday night, 65-54. 

Though the Tigers held a nine-point lead at the break, it was the Bulldogs who used the intermission as a reset - and it would prove helpful as they fought back and kept the Tigers on the brink of an upset all night with their zone defense and deft three point shooting.

"I was disappointed in our lack of everything," said Josh Pastner, head coach of the Tigers. "I thought we played slow. We were slow in all areas, offensively and defensively. Nobody (from Memphis) deserves game balls in this one."

Memphis looked disinterested from the tip. The Tigers weren't getting back in transition, weren't scrapping for rebounds or loose balls, and constantly left Samford shooters wide open around the perimeter, resulting in 52.9 percent field goal shooting for the Bulldogs in the first half alone. 

"Our strength is getting up and down the floor," junior forward Tarik Black said. "But things happen like this in the flow of the game. Not too many rebounds coming off if they're shooting 52.9 percent."

One bright spot for the Tigers was sophomore guard and forward Adonis Thomas. Thomas shot 50.0 percent from the field, 4-for-4 from the free throw line and had 16 points - while playing a game-high 39 minutes.

"I was just trying to be aggressive on the perimeter," Thomas said. "We're an uptempo team, and it seemed as though we played down to their zone which slowed us down tonight. They were making stops and doing what their coach told them to do. They executed their game plan."

What Thomas left unsaid was the fact that the Memphis Tigers did not execute their game plan.

The Bulldogs closed their deficit to 54-51, and missed a three-pointer to tie, but Tigers' Antonio Barton made huge threes to keep the Tigers from suffering yet another early upset at home to a lesser opponent, following a home loss to Murray State last season. Barton finished the game with 14 points, including 4-of-7 from three-point range, with two steals.

"Just getting in the gym working on my shot (helped me convert threes)," Barton said. "I'm a shooter, but I feel as though I can be a better shooter. Some of the shots I missed, I know I can make, it's just a matter of getting in there and working."

Overall, only three Tigers finished in double figures. Black and Thomas were joined by sophomore guard Joe Jackson, who chipped in with 13 points, four assists and no turnovers, while going 7-of-8 from the line. However, Pastner insists this Tigers team can do better.

"I don't want make excuses, we've got to mature as a team," Pastner said. "We're not a methodical team. Maybe last year or the year before I can say we may have overlooked an opponent, but not this year. They (Samford) dictated pace. We have to dictate pace - we work on it all week during practice, I don't know what it was tonight."

The Tigers return to action Thursday evening to take on VCU in the next round of a tournament dubbed "The Battle 4 Atlantis" in the Bahamas. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. (CDT).

Should Memphis win, they would then challenge the winner of the Duke-Minnesota contest in the semifinals on Friday, November 23. The championship is set for Saturday, and should the Tigers make it that far in the winners' bracket, they would potentially face either Louisville, Missouri or Stanford.

Tigers trounce North Florida in season opener

Junior guard Antonio Barton slashes to the hole for two points against North Florida.

 

     Though it wasn’t pretty throughout, No. 16/17 University of Memphis Tigers basketball team (1-0) defeated a scrappy University of North Florida team (1-1) 81-66 in their season opener in front of a crowd of 15,668 at FedExForum.

“Overall I loved our effort for the first 30 or so minutes,” said Josh Pastner, head coach for the Tigers. “First part of the of the game we gave up some threes, but that’s going to happen – we played hard with great energy. There’s some good things we did, some things we’ve got to work on, but the important thing is we got the W.”

The Tigers did get tested from UNF the first 10 minutes of action due to the Tigers’ inability to close out shooters from behind the arc. But once former McDonald’s-All American and freshman forward Shaq Goodwin entered the contest, the whole complexity and energy of the Tigers’ game changed. They responded with a 19-0 run to open the game up and lead thereafter.

“I thought Shaq energized Tarik Black, Pastner said. “I thought he energized our whole team. Guys were all over the floor – I had no issue with their effort whatsoever. I am really proud of the guys for the effort that they gave”

Memphis dove for loose balls, grabbed offensive rebounds and got out into transition for easy buckets, while junior guard Antonio Barton, drained three pointer after three pointer. Memphis dominated the offensive glass in the first half, grabbing 31 rebounds to UNF’s 15. The Tigers’ defense also held the Ospreys to 26.9 percent shooting during that dominating stretch.

“Coach said for me to be physical out there,” Goodwin said. “Being scrappy, diving for balls and grinding is what I’m supposed to do. The only thing that I didn’t know about tonight was the speed of the game – I was prepared for everything else.”

Goodwin and the hot shooting Barton weren’t the only Tigers to have an impact on the game. Junior forward Tarik Black and junior guard Joe Jackson also gave the Tigers a lift. Black led Memphis with 18 points, seven rebounds, while shooting 60 percent from the field. Jackson chipped in with 14 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals.

“I’m just trying to limit turnovers and slow down,” Jackson said. “I know once I do that, and then help out the big men in rebounding, that’s what we need this year. And Shaq was beasting out there. Once they started trapping inside, it left wide-open shots for everybody else.”

Up next for the nationally ranked Tigers will be the Samford Bulldogs this Saturday at FedExForum. Tipoff is 7pm.

Tigers BLow Past Green Wave 37-23

     A second half led by blistering defense and turnovers helped propel The University of Memphis Tigers (2-8, 2-4 in Conference USA) to a 37-23 victory over the Tulane Green Wave (2-8, 2-4 in C-USA) Saturday night in front of 18,976 paid attendance at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.

The stifling Tigers' defense, led by junior defensive tackle Johnnie Farms and his 1.5 sacks and forced fumble, created turnovers that led to points and sealed the second victory of the season for the Tigers and first-year Tigers football head head coach Justin Fuente.

"I would like to thank Tiger Nation for showing up, supporting us and being vocal tonight," Fuente said. "I'm awfully proud of our guys and the way they played. Defensively and offensively we made some big plays. In the passing game, Jacob (Karam) was pretty efficient tonight."

Though it wasn't very gaudy numbers, Karam, a junior transfer quarterback, completed 14-of-18 passes for 270 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The biggest play of the game, a 52-yard touchdown strike to redshirt freshman receiver Tevin Jones, broke open a 16-16 stalemate in the third quarter. 

"It was a fun night," Karam said. "We focused all week on trying to execute better than they did. Personally, I wish I could have taken care of the ball better, but at the end of the day we got the win. That's all that matters."

The Tigers ground game out-rushed Tulane 110 yards to 80. Memphis also gained more total yards than the Green Wave, amassing 386 to Tulane's 291. But the story of the night was the Tigers defense, intercepting Tulane four times, one for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

"It was a good game all the way around," Farms said. "The defense played good, the offense came around. I knew we were going to have a good game. We practiced really tough all week."

The Tigers travel to Birmingham (AL) to take on rival Alabama-Birmingham next Saturday in the annual Battle for the Bones game. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Tigers freshman Thomas to return for sophomore season

AP: Photo by: Lance Murphy

 

     As widely reported, University of Memphis Tigers freshman and former McDonald's high school All-American Adonis Thomas announced he'll return for his sophomore season on Wednesday. Citing 'unfinished business' as his reason to give fans and supporters of the program one more season, Thomas felt it was better for him to stay.

"I stayed because it was the best decision for my family and for the team we have coming back," Thomas said. "I was wavering because of the injury that I had and the scouts didn't really get a chance to evaluate me the way that they needed to."

Not only did Thomas's ankle play a big part in him deciding to play another year, but scouts were saying that his stock wasn't as high because he wasn't exposed enough. Thomas noted that he was expected to be anywhere from a late first-round pick to not even being selected at all.

But also, Thomas also feels as though he let city of Memphis down because they didn't get to see him play a lot of games.

"I felt like I owe the city another year," Thomas said. "The injury just held me back this year. I wasn't able to be a part of the team. There's a lot of unfinished business left, and I hate losing."

One person who is relieved that Thomas is returning is head coach Josh Pastner. Pastner, who is entering his fourth year as Tigers head coach, knows how important this announcement is to the future of the team.

"We're extremely pleased and excited to have him back," Pastner said. "That just makes our team much better, but it will also do much for Adonis as he continues to grow as a young man and as a basketball player - a real positive for Memphis, there's no doubt about that."

Tigers' fans probably should get too comfortable seeing Thomas beyond next season. If his sophomore season goes the way he and everyone anticipates, then he could be the next two-and-done after next season, following the footsteps of sophomore Will Barton, who announced his intentions to turn pro last week.

"Going to the (NBA draft) lottery is something that every basketball player dreams about," Thomas said. "I want to do everything I can do to put myself in the position to go lottery next year."

Barton chooses NBA

Adam Douglas

 

     As expected, University of Memphis Tigers sophomore guard Will Barton declared for the 2012 NBA Draft, foregoing his final two years of eligibility. His announcement came just six days after the 8-seeded Tigers were bounced from the second round of the West Region of the NCAA Tournament by 9-seeded Saint Louis, 61-54.

"I told coach after the (Saint Louis) game that I was going to go ahead and decide," Barton said. "I want to make a decision and not play around with coach (Josh Pastner) emotions. He needs to know what the team will look like and he needs to know who to go and recruit."

Head coach josh Pastner was with Barton as he told notified everyone of his decision. Pastner says he was going to support Barton in whatever he chose to do.

"We talked about it throughout the week, he and I communicated," Pastner said. "We gathered all the information and relayed it to Will and I was going to back him no matter what - he has made a great decision and will have a long time career at the next level."

Barton said his decision wasn't based on where he felt he would get drafted; it was based on his dream ever since he was a kid. He also stated that his younger brother, Antonio, helped him make up his mind but it was tough.

"The only thing I ever wanted to do was to be an NBA player," Barton said. "It was never about where I would be drafted or anything like that. I always just wanted to shake David Stern's hand."

Barton knows that he still has a lot to prove to NBA scouts. He also knows that he left empty promises to the fans of the Memphis Tigers, but assures everyone that he will always be a Tigers long after his playing career is over.

"That's what really made my decision real tough for me," Barton said. "It was about leaving this program, my teammates and coaches. I hope the real Tigers fans understand that this decision was best for me and that this place is my second home. I will come back after I leave. I will never forget these past two years - they have been the best two years of my life."

Barton departs the basketball program leaving an indelible mark. He scored over 1,000 points in just two seasons. He almost averaged a double-double (18.9 points, 8.1 rebounds per game) from the guard position and was the Conference USA Player of the Year this past season. But what fans won't ever forget is how he failed to make good on bringing Memphis a national championship like he promised.

"I almost wanted to stay," Barton said. "Watching all those NCAA Tournament games made me want to come back next year, so I had to quit watching them. But my brother said, 'you're ready to go pro' and that's all I needed to hear."