Beginning Monday, June 21st, 2004 CHN began unveiling 144 Team previews in 144 Days. CHN ranked the nations top 144 teams, and is unveiling one per day leading up until the opening day of the 2004-05 Season.

Bookmark the 144 Teams in 144 Days home page, and check back each day to see which team is previewed next.

#21 Memphis Tigers

CUSA

2003-04: 22-8, 12-4, 2^nd 

2003-04 postseason: NCAA 2^nd Round

By Joel Welser

Head coach John Calipari brings in another stellar class of recruits to Memphis.  The young guys, mixed with some senior talent, will have the Tigers once again competing for the CUSA title.  Memphis is thinking bigger then that though, hoping to improve on their second round exit in the big dance a season ago. 

Who’s Out: Point guard Antonio Burks will be greatly missed.  He was the senior leader last season and put up 16.0 points and 5.5 assists per game.  Forward Ivan Lopez and center Modibo Diarra were good frontcourt options off the bench last year. 

Who’s In: Darius Washington, Jr. will be asked to do a lot as soon as he steps on the court.  Not only will he be asked to perform, he’s expected to take over for point guard Antonio Burks without much drop off in production.  The McDonald’s All-American is one of the few incoming point guards who can actually pull it off.  Returning player Jeremy Hunt could run the point if Washington has any problems, or if Coach Calipari wants to use Washington in a more scoring orientated role.  Incoming freshman Tank Beavers and sophomore Clyde Wade will add more depth to the backcourt.  Beavers could develop into a solid point guard and Wade has some experience with the Tigers, but sat out last season.  The frontcourt doesn’t need much help, but it’s getting it anyway.  Returning starters Sean Banks and Rodney Carney will be staples on the wings.  Both Arthur Barclay and Duane Erwin saw some quality minutes last year and could see an increased role, but the newcomers will come in looking to make an impact.  Richard Dorsey, a 6-8, 250 pound forward, could find his way to the starting lineup as a freshman.  He is physical enough to compete with the big boys immediately.  At Laurinburg (NC) Prep last season Dorsey averaged 16.0 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks.  Waki Williams spent the last two seasons at Mt. San Jacinto Community College in California.  Williams has the potential to be a real steal from the JuCo ranks.  The 6-9 forward averaged 15.8 points and 8.4 rebounds last season.  Like Williams, Simplice Njoya provides some experience coming off the Memphis bench.  Njoya spent two seasons at Duquesne where he started 26 games, averaging 7.7 points and 5.0 rebounds as a sophomore in 2002-2003.

Who to Watch: Averaging 17.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and receiving multiple awards isn’t bad for a freshman.  Sean Banks should continue to put up great numbers and, to the dismay of the rest of the conference, continue to improve.  The 6-8 wing player can do it all.  He’ll drive to the basket, shoot from outside and can be effective in the paint.  Banks is an amazing athlete and unfortunately probably won’t be sticking around Memphis for many more years.  The only thing that can’t be praised about Banks is his turnovers.  He can get overly flashy and not look for his teammates.  Even if that doesn’t improve, Banks will be a huge part of Memphis having a big season.

Projected Conference Rank: It could come down to how well Darius Washington, Jr. takes over the point guard spot.  Washington has enough help around to make that transition easier.  A 2^nd place finish in the conference and another trip to the NCAA isn’t too much to ask, even from a relatively young squad.

Projected Post-season Tournament: NCAA

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Email Joel Welser: jwelser_chn@ameritech.net

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