Memphis/USC

That was a close one for the Tigers last night. USC played the Triangle and 2 to perfection for most of the game. Something woke the Tigers up the last 7 minutes of the game. Maybe it was Cal or maybe they finally said: "we're the better team, let's go prove it." This game felt like it was going to be loss up until the last few minutes of regulation and then Memphis started playing better defense. Their press bothered USC in the closing minutes. The half court defense was there for the whole game (USC shot 29%), but the press really helped get Memphis going. My buddies and I started up the conversation that it seems like when the Tigers lose, they beat themselves. It doesn't seem to be anything that the other team does. The Triangle and 2 was effective, but this team is athletic enough to beat it. It just took them longer to figure things out. I also think USC started to get tired towards the end of the game. Mayo definitely looked like the best player on the court. This was a game I think the Tigers would've lost in years past. It totally reminded me of the UCLA and Texas games 2 years ago. The only other team I can see playing them like this would be Georgetown. It is refreshing to see that Memphis can pull these kinds of games out now despite not being able to make free throws. Cal also said he was outcoached by Tim Floyd. Cal didn't seem to mind saying that at all. Is that because Tim Floyd is a friend of his? I would think so. There's no way Cal would've said that about Bruce Pearl after getting thumped by Tennessee last year. All in all it was a good win and the Tigers experience showed.


Grizz Note:

-Darko says he will play tonight @ Houston despite a sprained ankle. Good. They will need him. This team needs to get one of these next 2 against Houston or New Orleans to make up for that bad loss Monday night vs. Portland.