The Tigers are at the top of the heap and are not looking back.

John Calipari’s Memphis team has been riding criticism all year that they don’t play in a strong enough league and have been overrated because of it. They said that when faced up against competition like the big boys do in the Big 12, ACC, SEC, PAC 10, and Big 10, that they would be just another team.

Really?

I don’t think so. This team is athletic, and Calipari knows how to coach, regardless if it is against little schools or the biggest of the big. I believe that this team, when placed up against North Carolina, Kansas, you name it, they can compete and they can win without having to have a brilliant performance–they are that good. I know I posted a while back about the possibility of the Tigers finishing undefeated and that there is very much a chance for them to do so. It gets a little harder now with that #1 ranking target on their back, but this is a seasoned, mature team that executes and executes and…well, you get the point.

This is the first time the Tigers have been ranked #1 since 1983, when their reign was all of six hours before they lost. This time, I wouldn’t be surprised if the ranking lasted six weeks…yes, that’s right, right up until the seedings. I don’t see this team laying down to anyone; even with the ranking, Calipari has said that the team thinks they deserve it, but know that people are naysaying their abilities.

Bring it on, all ye who dare step on the court. I believe you’ll be singing a different song once you go home with your tail between your legs.

I think in order to make things more streamlined and formative, I am going to start doing some frequent posting that encapsulates different items on certain days in order for fluidity to the site. That being said, here is what my schedule will be going forward per conference:

Monday-Big Ten

Tuesday-Pac 10

Wednesday-ACC

Thursday-Big East

Friday-Big 12

Saturday-SEC

Sunday-All others

In these daily capsules, I will have different posts discussing the previous week’s events, news, and future discussions about the teams and conferences themselves (not limiting to specific sports). I will also post on news events as they transpire with my two, or three cents, maybe even a dollar’s worth. For those of you out there that would like to have a discussion on a certain topic, shoot an email my way and I’ll be happy to give it a shot.

Thanks for your support of the site and I look forward to getting started on this!

Tim AKA “The Athletic Supporter”

Memphis has not been a team that anyone has taken lightly for several years. John Calipari’s reign as Conference USA’s bully has made the university formerly known as Memphis St. to the national scene and kept them in the top 10 for most of the past two seasons. This season, they started out very high and currently sit at 10-0.

After yesterday’s drubbing of Georgetown, another top 5 team, many are asking the question–can Memphis go to the NCAAs without a blemish on their record? Considering that they are in a conference which isn’t exactly taut with talent, the Tigers have few that should be able to compete, but there could be some big games along the way that cause them to be “human”:

December 29 vs. Arizona–Kevin O’Neill will have his team ready, don’t just slough off the Wildcats because they’ll be playing at Memphis. If there’s any chance for a let down game, it’s here. But–Chase Budinger and company will have to shoot lights out to beat Memphis.

January 26 vs. Gonzaga–The Zags will probably still be ranked here, but with the Tigers again having home advantage, the likelihood that Gonzaga pulls the upset here is probably not good.

Jan 30 at Houston–Huh? Really? Well, Houston is 10-1 right now, and being in the Cougars’ den could cause some havoc for Memphis, and you better bet the crowd will be on top of the Tigers. However, the pedigree for Houston is just not all that (they have beaten Kentucky), so the away factor may be nullified based on strength of schedule alone.

Feb 16 at UAB–one of the most dangerous teams in the country, their flying around and hap-hazard ways either give them a huge advantage or sometimes…not so much. I really think this is the game that if the Tigers are going to fall, it’s here.

Feb 23 vs. Tennessee–yes, Bruce Pearl is hyped for this, and this could be another top 10 game, but again, Memphis is at home, and the Vols haven’t exactly been overwhelming on the road. By this time, if the Tigers are still undefeated, they will definitely be amped for the Vols matchup, and the home crowd will be a huge advantage.

The answer is-yes. They could run the gamut with an undefeated record–but with some of these potential roadblocks and again with parity in NCAA, I would say they will more than likely drop 1 or 2 of these listed above.

Sorry, Mr. Calipari. I call ‘em how I see ‘em.