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#12 Memphis Tigers
Conference USA
2004-05: 22-16,
9-7, 6th
2004-05 postseason:
NIT
By
Joel Welser
Coach John Calipari
and the Memphis Tigers
are expected to waltz through the new Conference USA without
much problem. They probably will, but last year the Tiger’s
troubles started early and it took quite some time for things to
come around. This season, Memphis should be more prepared
behind Darius Washington, Jr. to come out and compete
immediately.
Who’s Out:
Anthony Rice, Duane Erwin and Arthur Barclay were all starters
during their senior campaigns last year. Rice averaged 10.6
points per game, starting beside Darius Washington, Jr. in the
backcourt. Forwards Erwin and Barclay combined to average 9.3
points and 10.2 rebounds. Sean Banks was not eligible to play
in the second semester last year and despite his 14.5 points and
5.8 rebounds per game, the Tigers played better ball without
him. Jeremy Hunt was suspended from the team and will not play
this season. He averaged 9.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.7
assists last year.
Who’s In: The
other UofM has its own version of the fab five. Only time will
tell how good they really are, but this is a nice, highly touted
group of freshmen. Shawne Williams, Robert Dozier, Kareem
Cooper and Antonio Anderson played together last year at
Laurinburg (NC) Prep. That can’t hurt the team chemistry,
especially coming from what many called the best prep squad of
all time. Williams is the best of the bunch. The 6-9 wing has
the skills of a guard and the body of a forward. He’ll step out
and hit the three, run the floor and mix it up inside on the
glass. Dozier is a long and lean forward. At 190 pounds, he
needs to add some bulk, yet he is talented enough to play right
away at multiple positions. Kareem Cooper has the big body
needed to battle under the basket. The 6-11, 275 pound Wheaton,
Maryland product, averaged 15.5 points and 8.4 rebounds last
year at Laurinburg Prep. The lefty has surprisingly good range
and can step out and hit the long ball. Antonio Anderson
doesn’t have great consistency on his outside shot for a guard,
but he can score. Anderson should see plenty of quality minutes
off the bench. Chris Douglas-Roberts might not have gone to
Laurinburg, yet he is a welcome addition to the group. The 6-5
guard can play three positions and is a fun player to watch.
Douglas-Roberts will add more quality depth at the guard spot.
Andre Allen sat out last year after not meeting NCAA academic
eligibility rules. The sophomore was expected to see some
minutes as a backup point guard, but is currently suspended for
off court altercations.
Who to Watch:
He is only a sophomore, however this team belongs to Darius
Washington, Jr. Last year Washington averaged 15.4 points and
3.8 assists. The turnovers were too high at 3.5 per game, but
that isn’t surprising for a freshman and the ratio will improve
this year. The 6-2, Orlando native is a solid shooter and will
play with a chip on his shoulder after missing two free-throws
to lose the conference tournament, and a spot in the NCAAs,
against Louisville last season.
Projected
Conference Rank: The Tigers are easily 1st place
preseason material in CUSA. Memphis could lose two or three
games in the conference and the record will probably look better
than the team really is, but this season is all about
chemistry. Rodney Carney led the team last year with 16.0
points per game and Joey Dorsey will have a breakout year with
more playing time. They just have to play together if Memphis
wants to make a serious run come March.
Projected
Post-season Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting
Five:
Darius Washington Jr.,
Sophomore, Guard, 15.4 points per game
Rodney Carney, Senior,
Forward, 16.0 points per game
Shawne Williams,
Freshman, Forward, DNP last season
Robert Dozier,
Freshman, Forward, DNP last season
Joey Dorsey,
Sophomore, Forward, 4.6 points per game
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