2009 NCAA Tournament Odds for the Memphis Tigers

Written by Jason Lowry

Memphis Basketball Once again the Memphis Tigers are headed to their 4th straight Sweet 16 appearance this week, as the No.2 seeded Tigers are the only team in the country to accomplish such a feat. The Tigers got into the tournament winning both the regular season and conference tournament in Conference USA, and are riding a 25 game winning streak including their two NCAA Tournament wins over Cal State-Northridge and Maryland. The Tigers are fresh off reaching the Championship game a year ago, and were just one shot away from being the defending champions this season. The Tigers might not have the point guard they had last year in Derrick Rose running the show, but you can never count a team coached by John Callipari. Here is a look at how the Tigers got past the first two rounds of play, and what they will have to do to make it back to the championship game this year.

It was not easy for the Tigers in the first round as Cal State-Northridge gave them everything they could handle. The Tigers actually trailed by 6 points with just a little more than 10 minutes to play, and it looked like the Tigers were going to be apart of one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history. Instead a star was born in Roburt Sallie, as Sallie poured in 10 3-pointers on his way to a career high 35 points, pretty good for a guy that averaged just 4.5 points in the regular season. Things went a little smoother in the 2nd round against Maryland, as 5 Memphis players scored in double figures, including Sallie who came off the bench for another 13 points on 4-6 shooting, but the starters were the key in this one, as all by Antonio Anderson scored in double figures, but Anderson was the playmaker for the Tigers with a team high 11 assists. Now the Tigers must go to Glendale and take on the No.3 seeded Missouri Tigers, who is all that stands between the Tigers and another trip to the Elite 8.

The Tigers have quickly became a powerhouse in the NCAA under Callipari, and this team has the tools to make another run at a Final Four, but it will depend on how this team will respond when another team gets in their face and plays real hard defense like Cal State-Northridge did, as the Tigers can’t expect Sallie to contiue shooting lights out from the field, as he shot an outstanding 16 for 23 in the first two games, including a perfect 3-3 from the free throw line. It looks like the rest of the Tigers have shown up and are ready to go, but the Tigers could still use some more production out of Wesley Witherspoon, who has been pretty much non existent since scoring 10 points back in the semifinals of the Conference USA Tournament. I like Memphis to win the battle of the Tigers in this one, as they have to much talent to not win at their own game, as both teams love to run the basketball. Where I see the biggest challenge for the Tigers coming is if they get past Missouri and have to take on the No.1 seeded Huskies, as long as they get by Purdue. The Huskies have one of the best defenders in the game in Hasheem Thabeet, and he could really put a damper in the Tigers dribble drive offense. While it won’t be easy keep your eye on this Memphis team, as they just might surprise everyone again and make it back to the National Championship game.

Comments

One Response to “2009 NCAA Tournament Odds for the Memphis Tigers”

Maya on March 25th, 2009 3:24 PM

i think either teams deserved to win

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