Weekend Review

The Memphis Tigers basketball team won the 2K Sports Shootout benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer. Although the Tigers have only played 4 games, I think these are true statements:

1. They could lose Derrick Rose and still be a top 10 team

2. They could not lose CDR or Dorsey and be a top 10 team

Joey has an incredible effect on games. UCONN couldn't do anything when Dorsey played. I looked at my buddies at halftime and said: "Memphis is at least 10 points better than UCONN." Ask Andrew (www.mrjohnsonsclassroom.blogspot.com or check out my links). Of course, they won by 11. You get great at these kind of predictions when you hang around Chris Vernon all day.

Now for the Grizzlies. I'm not as down on this team as some others may be. Despite losing 3 straight, they've played hard and battled back. Iavaroni has not lost this team at all which was the case last season under Fratello. Rudy took the last shot in the New Orleans game. Good, I like it when that happens. Pau took a big shot in the Dallas game (I know it wasn't the final shot b/c Navarro missed two 3's at the end). I don't want to sound like a broken record, but we know what this team is when Pau is the go-to-guy. We don't know what this team can be when Rudy is. If I had to give my opinion on Rudy, I'd say he's going to be a Vince Carter like player w/ better defensive attributes. Now, Vince Carter's teams haven't exactly gone too far in the playoffs (except for the ECF appearance in Toronto), but VC is better than Pau Gasol. This team will still be in the thick of things by the end of the year. Remember, Baron Davis nor Peja Stojakovic have gotten hurt yet.

NFL Notes:
-New England is awesome (because JP Losman managed to play the whole game I lost a shot to Andrew. What's it gonna be next weekend Mr. Johnson? Jager, Purple Heart?

-Indianapolis is still good, but they have fallen off with the loss of Dwight Freeney

-TO won that game for Dallas. You can say "Romo threw him the ball" and that's true, but TO constantly abused the veteran Shawn Springs. Romo threw him the ball b/c Springs couldn't hold him anywhere on the field. JP Losman could've made those throws.

-DeMarcus Ware should be NFL Defensive Player of the Year

-The Ravens are done and it's not getting better soon. The defense is aging (aside from Ed Reed) and the offense is terrible. They have one playmaker in McGahee but don't have their best o-lineman (Ogden). Ogden retires, Ray Lewis will be shortly after that, then comes Samari Rolle and the Ravens are in rebuilding mode.

-Pittsburgh is bi-polar. They will still destroy Miami next Monday.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL NOTES:

-LSU will have a tougher time with Georgia than Tennessee in the SEC Championship

-Lloyd Carr is gone at Michigan (thank god)

-Michigan/Ohio State is a boring game (exception would be last year)

-knowing how insane and irrational Alabama fans are, I bet some of them are wanting Saban gone after Saturday

-Mississippi sucks (you already know that, but I just like reminding you)

WEEKEND:
I went to Blue Fin Friday night w/ Jason, Allison and 2 people I didn't know. It was kinda lame. Beale Street looked like a ghost town Friday night. We gathered at the Double Deuce after the Fin. DD was empty. Pretty much a boring night. Saturday it was Posey's birthday party at Yosemite Sam's. We got down, took some shots, sang some karaoke (Higher by Creed) and yes, I rocked.

ON TAP FOR THE WEEK:
Grizz/Sonics tonight
Tigers/Arkansas St Tuesday
Grizz/Raptors on Wednesday

I'll be at all 3. Holla.