MEMPHIS - It is becoming an annual parlor game around the University of Memphis program. Which player, knowing full well that what happens Saturday against Tennessee is far more intriguing than what happens tonight against Rice, will come closest to telling the truth?
"We can't just overlook them and look toward Tennessee," senior Antonio Anderson said. "That's when you get knocked off."
"We're preparing for Rice," sophomore Roburt Sallie said. "The Tennessee game is a huge game for us, but we've got to take it one game at a time."
"We can't look past Rice because you just can't do that," junior Doneal Mack said. "But the main thing is, Rice should set the tone, going in to make it hard on them for 40 minutes and coming in with the right mindset for Tennessee."
Ding, ding, ding!
Given the recent history between the No. 22-ranked Tigers and Tennessee, it would, in fact, be unnatural for them to view tonight's 8 p.m. tip-off against Rice as anything more than an appetizer for their trip to Knoxville this weekend.
And though Memphis obviously understands the importance of beating Rice and extending its Conference USA winning streak to 47 games, there is a human element that coach John Calipari will have to deal with tonight at FedExForum.
"No question, and Tennessee's doing the same thing," Calipari said. "They're waiting for us to come up there. They've got a game (against Vanderbilt on Tuesday), and I'm telling you they're not worried about it; they're worried about the next game, which is our game."
In a similar situation last year, the Tigers (14-3, 4-0 C-USA) did a good job of focusing on Tulane in a 97-71 victory before turning their attention to the Vols. In some ways, the task for Memphis was even bigger back then, since Tulane was the warm-up act for the most hyped regular-season game in Memphis history.
This year, it's not No. 1 against No. 2. In fact, Tennessee isn't even nationally ranked. But the bad blood between the programs has certainly been elevated to the point where Jan. 24 has been a red-letter day on the schedule for months - not just for Memphis, but Tennessee too.
The Tigers were crushed last year after losing at home to Tennessee, yet the Vols - despite their head-to-head wins the last two seasons - remain far behind Memphis in NCAA Tournament success.
While the Tigers have advanced to the Elite Eight and the national championship game the last two years, Tennessee's season ended in the Sweet 16 both times.
"I don't hate Tennessee," Mack said. "I haven't beaten them since I've been in college, though, so I do want to do that. It's a big rivalry game when you think about it and when you talk to the fans, you'll hear, 'All we care about is Tennessee. Win the Tennessee game.' But we're playing for us right now."
What the Tigers hope for tonight is a performance against Rice (6-11, 1-2) that will springboard them into Knoxville on something of a high. Memphis has won eight straight games, but Calipari is still concerned about how much toughness some of his players have shown at times.
Though Rice is out-manned at basically every position against Memphis, Calipari said the Tigers aren't good enough to just sleepwalk through this game and expect to be ready for Saturday's challenge.
"We have so much to get better at," Calipari said. "We have to use every game as an opportunity to improve. It doesn't matter who we play. This is who's on our schedule. This is who's in our league. Play the game and let's get better. We're not playing to just go out and mess around. We're trying to develop habits of how we play basketball."
Etc.: Freshman forward Wesley Witherspoon said Tuesday he has been playing with a torn meniscus in his left knee and might have to undergo surgery. Witherspoon was unable to practice Tuesday but said he would play tonight and this weekend against Tennessee. If Witherspoon has to have surgery, it could take him out of action for a month, though players can sometimes come back from the minimally invasive arthroscopic procedure in as little as two weeks.
Witherspoon played three minutes in the Tigers' victory over UAB on Saturday.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
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Comments » 76
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Nothing like a HUGE conference game vs. RICE. ROTFLMGDMFAO!!!!! PEARL OWNS CALIPARI!!!!!!!
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
WHERE is Memphis CPA Mike Murdork (who lives in Knoxville)at?
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
So Memphis isn't looking past a home game against Rice and taking it one game at a time and preparing for them yet according to Calipari, the king of morons, Tennessee isn't worried about playing at Vanderbilt:
"They've got a game (against Vanderbilt on Tuesday), and I'm telling you they're not worried about it; they're worried about the next game, which is our game."
Tennessee wasn't"
Every time Calipari opens his mouth and mentions Tennessee, he looks like an even bigger moron than he already is.
Ironcity writes:
This game isn't a huge game for us. It will be a a nice win if we get it but upcoming games against UF and the likes mean far more then this game.
Although if I was a Memphis player or fan, I would look past Rice or any C/USA team. My gosh our second stringers could win that conference and that game.
utchris writes:
The village idiots are popping off like they did last year on this same story over on the Commercial Appeal. Some are even try to say that they are not worried about our game because they have Gonzaga coming up.
Calipari is not worried about us, but we are worried about them? Maybe they should consult the last two games we have played and start thinking before they speak.
TrouserCough writes:
Calipari is so arrogant. One of our oldest and most hated rivals, Vanderbilt, and our standing in the SEC is not important to us, only a bragging rights game with Memphis. Calipari's love affair with self has no bounds.
Volumnus writes:
Hmmm, Rice or Vandy, is there a difference??? Wow, Calapari, I think maybe there is a difference. The "little sisters of the poor" would look past Rice. While we led Vandy buzzer to buzzer, we were 36 minutes into the game before the fat lady was warming up the pipes. Rice will be thinking about the midnight snack from Corky's half way through the 1st half. Ben Braun, the new coach at Rice will be rethinking his decision to accept the job by half time and Willis Wilson will be glad that he is not the Rice coach anymore by the end of the Game! Go "fighting night Birds" deficate on the mighty Tiger's stripes! I just love a polka dotted Tiger!
Basketball_Jones writes:
Is this really even a rivalry? I mean seriously, we beat them pretty much every year in every sport we play them in but its a big game for them. I'm sure this is what Florida now thinks of us in football.
Tennessee wins this game by double digits. Coach Pearl makes John Calipari tattoo his name on Calipari's lower back, the official tramp stamp for the Memphis Tigers.
volwalk writes:
Coach Cal will be wearing a "pearl-necklace" Saturday evening!
GO VOLS--continue the domination in this series.
jakethevolguy writes:
You hit the nail on the head I.C. I couldn't agree with you more!!
givehim6 writes:
Yea, UM should worrie about Rice, there such a powerhouse.
OrangeRush writes:
"Coach Cal will be wearing a "pearl-necklace" Saturday evening!"
Comment of the day!
bfrank78 writes:
T
I
G
E
R
S
GO TIGERS GO!!!
doverton#635371 (Inactive) writes:
I live in W.TN and I get so tired of hearing about the mighty Tigers and their win streak in mighty CUSA.Put them in the SEC and they are middle of the pack at best.Coach Cal has got to be the most arrogant BS'er I'v ever seen. Always whinning and making excuses for the teams ineptness to cover his poor coaching.
GO VOLS !!
BlakeyWakey writes:
Go Tigers!! sorry guys I go to memphis but still love the Vols!!
GoVol writes:
We own Memphis State and will continue to own them after Saturday's game! coach C is about as stupid and corrupt as the players themselves. If there is a team that I hate...it is Memphis State. I you ever lived in Memphis or currently do, you'd clearly understand.
ETNTigerFan writes:
Middle of the pack behind...? Poor coaching gets you to the NC game...?
You guys kicking and screaming all the time about Cal being a bad coach, cal being a scumbag, cal cheating. Pearl has never been past the sweet 16, Pearl showcases his blond bimbo and mcmansion all over the KNS, has a history of tape recording conversations to get other schools in trouble, gropes female ESPN commentators, gets kicked out of West High School basketball games, has pictures all over dirty.com with UT co-eds and gets additional press for his wife's new store Alimoney's. And Cal is the dirtbag????? Give me a break!
ETNTigerFan writes:
Middle of the pack behind...? Poor coaching gets you to the NC game how...?
You guys kicking and screaming all the time about Cal being a bad coach, cal being a scumbag, cal cheating. Pearl has never been past the sweet 16, Pearl showcases his blond bimbo and mcmansion all over the KNS, has a history of tape recording conversations to get other schools in trouble, gets kicked out of West High School games, gropes female ESPN commentators, has pictures all over dirty.com with UT co-eds and gets additional press for his ex-wife's new store Alimoney's. And Cal is the dirtbag????? Give me a break! That's hilarious
volwalk writes:
thats a fair argument...I think we can both agree that both coaches bring some baggage and controversy---but then again that gives us fans more to talk about and it heats up the rivalry even more.
At least our coach won't be wearing the "pearl-necklace" for the third straight year.
GO BIG ORANGE!!!!
ETNTigerFan writes:
What controversy does Cal have? His recruiting? On multiple occasions he has invited the NCAA to look into his recruiting and has even had some of his methods investigated before he proceeded. Hasn't stopped his recruiting success. 5* Xavier Henry, 3 more 4*, and the possibility of 5*s Cousins and Wall just for next year.
Pearl has won the last two but cal won the previous.
"Pearl-necklace"? Nice. it looks like Bruce's low class style is really "rubbing off" on some of his fans.
Go Tigers!
Basketball_Jones writes:
ETN Tiger fan, here is why many look at him at least in ETN as an average coach. Yea he got to the National Championship game but so did Mike Davis with Indiana about 3 years ago. You point out all the 4 star and 5 star players but he continues to lose games to Tennessee who has 1 Five Star player and a bunch of 2-4* players. He coaches in a conference that has no one, just like at UMASS. The man is a hell of a recruiter but average coach. All that talent and nothing to show for but 2nd best team in his own state
bfrank78 writes:
Pearl has shown he has no morals or loyality. It's hard to respect a snicth and a guy who could trade in his wife after so many years for a blonde-money-hungry-hoe.
mempuss writes:
UT > um PERIOD!
BlakeyWakey writes:
I don't understandd why knoxville and the vols hate Memphis! if there is one team I can not stand in college sports being a vols fan is LSU! The vols are a very good basketball team but I dont know if they will be able to beat the Tigers this year!! GO VOLS
ETNTigerFan writes:
Ok. I see your arguement but he didn't get to the NC game by beating a bunch of CUSA teams. He beat Mississippi State, and DESTROYED Michigan State, Texas, and UCLA. He's lost a few games this year but all to ranked opponents. But we expect to. It's a rebuilding year. We just lost 3 players to the 1st and second round of the NBA draft including a #1 overall pick.
He's had success in the past with no star recruits. Rodney Carney was a nobody. Not even on recruiting websites. Cal coached him to a first round NBA draft pick. That's coaching.
AFTiger writes:
Here's what a crooked, lying coach looks like skippy; even the NCAA figured out he made all this phooey up; Pearl's lucky he was even allowed back into Div 1 basketball:
During the 1988-1989 basketball season, Pearl, then an assistant coach at the University of Iowa, was at the center of a recruiting scandal involving the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Both Illinois and Iowa were recruiting Deon Thomas, a top high school player from Chicago. Pearl lost this recruiting battle when Thomas committed to Illinois. Thereafter, Pearl called the high school student and recorded a phone conversation with Thomas. During the conversation, Pearl asked Thomas if he had been offered an SUV and cash by Illinois assistant coach Jimmy Collins, and Thomas indicated he had. Pearl then turned over copies of the tapes to the NCAA, accompanied by a memo describing the events. During the subsequent NCAA investigation, Thomas denied the allegations and said the story was false; a lie detector test supported Thomas' claim. The NCAA did not find Illinois guilty of any wrongdoing relating to Thomas' recruitment, finding that the proof provided was not "credible, persuasive and of a kind on which reasonably prudent persons rely in the conduct of serious affairs."[2] However, since the investigation uncovered other violations, including Illinois' third major violation in six years, the NCAA cited Illinois with a "lack of institutional control" charge and implemented several recruiting restrictions and a one year postseason ban. The event led to a "blackballing" by many coaches in D-I, and even led ESPN commentator Dick Vitale to call Pearl's actions "career suicide" during a telecast.
When Pearl and Collins were both head coaches for four years in the Horizon League, the two men never engaged in the traditional postgame handshake, reportedly due to lingering feelings over the incident. When Thomas was asked about forgiving Bruce Pearl in a 2005 interview, he was quoted as saying "It's hard to forgive a snake." Thomas went on to play basketball at the University of Illinois, becoming its all time leading scorer.
It should be noted that the state of Iowa is a "one party consent" state, wherein it is legal for an individual to record a telephone conversation to which that individual is a party. See, Iowa Code Section 727.8 (2007)
http://underscorebleach.net/jotsheet/...
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
back in 1989, Memphis was (and still is for that matter) playing high school teams. ROTFLMGDMFAO!!!!!!!!!!
Pearl OWNS scumbag Calipari!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Calipari would be nothing without Worldwide Wes.
bfrank78 writes:
Nuff said.. Case closed. Pearl is the lowest of the low!
"In Bruce we trust" LMAO. What a shame! You guys should've boycotted his hiring. No respectable institution should want to be represented by a snake, as coach Thomas put it. 15-plus years later and he still can't forgive the guy.
When Thomas was asked about forgiving Bruce Pearl in a 2005 interview, he was quoted as saying "It's hard to forgive a snake."
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Too bad Collins is still coaching in the Horizon League and Pearl is busy owning Calipari and Memphis on a regular basis. Keep referring to the "news" account though from 1989 though if it makes you feel better that Pearl owns Calipari and will continue to do so. Pearl is over what happened in 1989.
AFTiger writes:
Indeed Pearl is over it because Southern Indiana, Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Knoxville Community College enabled him to be. When schools have no principles it's easy to move on.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Hmmmm....Pearl improved and won each place he has been and none of the schools have had any type of NCAA trouble associated with them in the years after Pearl's absence. In Calipari's case, see Umass. LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!
Speaking of principles, I am glad Calipari kept Dorsey and Dozier on the team since they are pillars of the Memphis community by beating their girlfriends. Tyreke is also a good drive by driver from what I hear. RPTJHGHSDVKLSDVBSKLEUSEKNC!!!!!!!!!!!!
Basketball_Jones writes:
He did a good job last year but I'm gonna use the ole you don't play in a league where your players have to play 30 games a year. In CUSA you have routes night in and night out. No wonder Memphis High is rested, hell the rest of the country is actually playing teams night in and night out, which Memphis is playing UAB and Tulsa...
He's a good coach but not great. Let him go to the Big East or ACC and win at like Rutgers or Boston College where night in and night out he plays Top 25 teams
AFTiger writes:
What happened at UMASS skippy was not Cal's doing and the NCAA said as much. Marcus Camby lied to Cal, said he hadn't signed with an agent when he actually had. The NCAA punished the team but Cal was not implicated.
AFTiger writes:
Both Dozier and Dorsey were suspended for their childish actions. No excuse when players act like idiots.
How's YouTube gangsta rapper Bobby Maze doing in school? Can he read a dinner menu yet?
Irwin_Linker writes:
Both Calipari and Pearl are excellent coaches. Calipari has suceeded at two big time college basketball programs, and taken an NBA team, the nets, to the playoffs. Bruce Pearl has won a D-2 championship, taken UMW to two NCAA tournaments in four years upsetting I believe 2 seed Kansas and a sweet sixteen in one of those years, and has single handedly carried UT out of sub-mediocrity. The way I look at it, and it's just an opionion. Pearl is a great coach and a good recruiter. Calipari is a good coach and great recruiter.
Go Vols
AFTiger writes:
Classy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXrrFS...
How does that gangsta effort translate into the classroom?
ozzman writes:
I can solve all of this. Lets trade mempuss to Iraq in exchange for oil.
AFTiger writes:
Orange for Oil:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mor3ZB...
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Who exactly did BMaze hurt in his You Tube video? Thanks in advance moron. Yeah, Cal had no idea about the Marcus Camby deal. I'm glad morons like you believe this kind of stuff.
TopTenn writes:
Memphis State fans are a joke. They have always overrated their team and players.
AFTiger writes:
Maze didn't hurt anyone; he simply showed what a punk he is, that's all.
Dude, rag on Cal all you want--I'm sure it's fun for you, just like I enjoy ragging on Pearl, but coaches can't stop players from lying and signing with agents. Camby himself admitted he lied and stated the $$ was too much for him to resist. Fair's fair.
AFTiger writes:
Georgia is going to defend their 2008 SEC Tournament Championship this year.
ETNTigerFan writes:
Let's be honest. Tennessee High school isn't exactly playing in the toughest league on the planet right now. Vanderbilt (who lost to Illinois Chicago)wasn't exactly a big win. SCarolina (who lost to College of Charleston) just about came back and beat you guys and Georgia (who has no quality wins and losses to Texas AM corpus christi, loyola of chicago, and western ky) was up by 10 at one point.
SEC may be a little better buy not by much. Ya'll have 1 ranked team right now.
Besides, shouldn't all the great competition make the SEC hang around longer in the NCAA tournament? Wait, that didn't happen. So why not ask Pearl to go to a Big East or ACC and try to win every night. Those teams we routed in the conference faired about as well as UCLA, Texas, and Michigan State did against us in the tournament. There is not a conference in the country that Memphis would not be in the top 4 or 5 teams.
ozzman writes:
This kid is really gonna hate Tn when King Kiffin and THE BIG ORANGE MAFIA are done with them this year. GO VOLS
TheTrueTO1731 writes:
I'm pretty sure this guy just compared making a harmless video to beating up a girl. Thats pretty much the same thing.
The reason Tiger High was in the finals last year was because of Rose, NOT Coach Cal who is a great recruiter but a below average coach.
Down_The_Field writes:
Funny....those who know me, know i've never defended the acedemic achievments of the VOL players, but Mempus fans making fun of the cognitive skills of a UT player is like Forest Gump laughing at Earnest T Bass for repeating the 2nd grade.
Oh, BTW, when I watch the VOLs beat your #1 Tigers silly in your own garage, I looked at the Mempus players and thought, "dang, they emptied the jail to field this team."
What's next...Mempus is less thugish because they have 250 tattoos to UTs 268?
ETNTigerFan writes:
Dorsey was never accused of beating anyone (besides Dane Bradshaw) and Dozier's girlfriend admitted she lied about him hitting her. See comments above about UMASS. Cal hasn't done anything wrong. Pearl on the other hand tapes recruit's conversations
ETNTigerFan writes:
"dang, they emptied the jail to field this team."
I think that every time I watch a UT football game.
john#208876 writes:
So AFTiger, what part of turning in someone who is offering illegal inducements to a recruit represents being crooked and lying? What are you going to tell me next - "it ain't right to snitch"? I guess it was also pearl's fault that Collins behaved like an azz because he was pissed for geting caught!
Your logic escapes me - or maybe you just have a new axiology, we'll call it Memphisthink. Good luck with that!
AFTiger writes:
No moron. That's not what I did.
Of course Rose was the reason the team made the finals along with a lot of other good players. Man, you're the smartest moron I've ever encountered. The players that the coach recruited actually making a difference. Imagine that.
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