John Calipari’s Memphis Tigers are 32-3, having won 26 games in a row, including a perfect season in Conference USA.
The defending National Runner-up have 4 players scoring in double figures:
Tyreke Evans – 16.6ppg, 5.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.5 turnovers, 2.1 steals, 69.4% from the FT line, 28.4% from 3
He is a 6’6, 219lb Freshman Guard
Robert Dozier – 12.6ppg, 7.2 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 72.4% from the FT line, 38.2% from 3
He is a 6’9, 220lb Senior Forward
Shawn Taggert – 10.4ppg, 7.5 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 75.6% from the FT line, 18.2% from 3,
He is a 6’10, 238lb Junior Forward
Antonio Anderson – 10.3ppg, 4.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.2 turnovers, 1.5 steals, 75.8% from the FT line, 25.7% from 3
He is a 6’6, 214lb Senior Guard
Yesterday, against Cal-St Northridge, Roburt Sallie had 35 points, on 10 of 15 shooting from 3.
Sallie is a 6’5, 186lb Soph Guard.
If MD goes to a zone defense like the used against Wake Forest, to compensate for the size and athleticism of Memphis – it will be interesting to see if Sallie can go off from 3 two games in a row.
While they have not faced a ranked team since they beat Gonzaga on February 7th, it should be noted they have not lost a game since December 20th.
During the year, the 3 teams that have beat Memphis are – Xavier (by 5), Georgetown (by 9), and Syracuse (by 7).
In their loss to Xavier, Memphis was 15 of 30 from the FT line, and 7 of 21 from 3. (Xavier had 37 foul shots)
In their OT time loss to Georgetown, Memphis was 11 of 15 from the FT line, and 5 of 19 from 3. (Georgetown had 36 foul shots)
In their loss to Syracuse, Memphis was 10 of 13 from the FT line, but just 7 of 33 from 3. (Syracuse had 26 foul shots)
I think the blue-print of how MD can win is pretty clear.
Zone-defense, pack the lane…. Compete on the boards, limiting second-chance opportunities. Take your chances that Memphis does not go on a tear from outside, and find a way to get to the foul-line.
Memphis is the favorite with reason, but Maryland has more than a puncher’s chance tomorrow.
Would be interesting if lighting strikes twice, and a Calipari lead team that is a 2 seed loses to Gary Williams lead 10 seed Maryland. (Terps vs Umass 1994).
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Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.