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By Brian Cerone

Tyreke Evans

Streaking Tigers

John Calipari has enjoyed success in his coaching career. In the mid to late
1990s at Umass he built a national powerhouse in a conference (Atlantic 10)
that was not considered to be as competitive as the top conferences, yet he
took them all the way to the final four in 1996, losing to the eventual national
champion Kentucky Wildcats. Now he has done the same, leading a national powerhouse,
the Memphis Tigers. But again, critics are trying to downplay Calipari’s
success by pointing out the weak teams in Conference USA. Regardless of the
lack of competition, the Tigers have been as good, if not better than any program
in the nation during the last few years.

Memphis has now won 57 conference games in a row. A streak of 57 games is impressive
regardless of the conference or even the division. Critics want to point out
their lack of competition, but no other team in the country is about to finish
unbeaten in conference play for the third straight year (Assuming they take
care of business this Saturday at home versus Tulane). The Tigers credibility
lies in their success during the NCAA tournament. They boast a 11-3 record in
the NCAA tournament during the time of the 57-game win streak. Outside of the
Florida Gators (2 National Championships) and UCLA Bruins (3 final four appearances)
no team has had more success in the NCAA tournament than the Memphis Tigers
recently. Last year they lost a heart-breaker to Kansas in overtime of the championship
game. On their way to the finals was the highly touted Michigan State team,
who Calipari’s crew dismantled 92-74. Also, the UCLA Bruins had their shot at
the Tigers in the final four, but failed badly, 78-63. So it would be tough
to argue that the regular season schedule of the C-USA is hindering their preparation
for the big dance.

This season is different than last year, and that is what Calipari can be most
proud of. Last year was a team stacked with NBA talent, including the 1st pick
overall in Derrick Rose, and two 2nd rounders – Chris Douglas Roberts and Joey
Dorsey. This year, the team has a completely new look. Integrating freshman
Tyreke Evans proved to be difficult at first, but eventually Calipari found
a spot for him at point guard and the Tigers have ripped off 21 straight games
since. New roles were handed out to the likes of Antonio Anderson and Robert
Dozier, the two remaining starters from last years national runner-up team.

With all the changes happening to this team, the streak has stayed intact despite
taking the best shot from every opponent. When Memphis comes to town, it is
like the Superbowl for every C-USA team. Everyone following the league knows
that its been more than 3 years since Memphis has had a losing night in the
conference. Even though the conference RPI only ranks 10th in the nation, and
that only one of the games of the 57-game win streak were versus a top 25 ranked
opponent, the teams and their fans gear up for when the Tigers come to town
and throw everything but the kitchen sink at them to try and knock off the conference
titans.

3rd ranked Memphis is now standing at 27-3 with wins at Gonzaga, at Tennessee,
and Cincinnati. They are ready for another run deep into the tourney. With Calipari’s
kids, the name on the back of the jersey may change quite often, but the name

on the front stays the same. So, regardless of whether you think their streak
is tainted or not, the Memphis Tigers will be a force in the tourney this March,
just like they are every year.

I think everyone would agree that the best part about the NCAA tournament are
the cinderella teams who make a run and scare the big named schools. Let’s take
a look at 5 teams who could play that role:

5 Cinderella’s hopefuls this year:

Siena (23-7, MAAC): Siena has proven to be a
tough team this year, beating the MAC conference leader Buffalo and St. Joe’s.
They have ripped through the MAAC (16-2) and out of their 7 losses, 4 have come
to the likes of #12 Tennessee, #3 Pittsburgh, Oklahoma State, and at Kansas.
Come March, Siena will be a threat because of the tough non-league schedule
they played this year.

Arkansas-Little Rock (22-7, Sun Belt): The Trojans
have played tough this year and are playing their best ball at the right time,
winning 8 of their last 9. Earlier in the year they played at #21 Memphis, and
nearly pulled off the upset, losing 59-51. They have the conference’s Defensive
Player of the Year in senior John Fowler, who should be able to lead the Trojans
to a league title, becoming a threat in the tournament.

Vermont (23-7, American East): The Catamounts
have been tough before in the NCAA tournament, knocking off Syracuse in 2005.
They have the players to shock another big school again. Marqus Blakely is as
athletic as anyone in the country and is a nightmare on the defensive end for
opposing teams. Blakely, last years American East Player of the Year and Defensive
Player of the Year could be a game changer in the early rounds. The Catamounts
have beaten George Washington and took Maryland to overtime at College Park.
Vermont, who has won 14 of their last 15, will be a tough draw for any team.

Cal State Northridge (15-12, Big West): This
experienced team has plenty of mature players on their team with the 3 top scorers
all being seniors. They got out to a rough start (1-6) but have responded quite
well, winning 9 of their last 11 games. Winning the regular season conference
title does not guarantee a win in the conference tournament, but with most of
the team knowing its their last shot, the Bison should be playing in the big
dance, and should be a problem in the 1st round for whoever draws them.

Robert Morris (22-10, Northeast Conference):
The Colonials ran through the Northeast Conference last year but have a slit
up in the conference tourney, forcing them to play in the NIT rather than the
NCAA tournament. This year, they are ahead of the pack again in the Northeast
Conference, and are looking to finish what they started. Should they do so,
it won’t be an easy game for whoever draws them. Robert Morris has the best
player in the conference in Jeremy Chappell (16.7 ppg). The four-year starter
will be a threat in the tourney.

Games Notes:

13th ranked Washington Huskies are looking good to win the Pac-10
outright if they can take care of business at home against Washington State
on Saturday. Maybe Jon Brockman will finally get some of the credit that he
deserves. The senior is averaging a double double (15 points, 11 rebounds) for
the second consecutive year…Villanova has been steady all season, and in many
ways have had a season to remember. They have now won 28 straight games at home
(on campus home games) and went 13-0 this season on their court. Also, 25 wins
ties a school record for most regular season wins. When considering the schedule
they play in the Big East, it is quite impressive…North Carolina freshman
Ed Davis has seemed to earn Coach Roy Williams trust and has become a regular
off the bench. The freshman had 6 blocks at Virginia Tech on Wednesday. Per
40 minutes, the 6-10 Davis is averaging 13 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 blocks…On
Wednesday night the Pittsburgh Panthers beat Marquette, 90-75. They were incredibly
efficient all night. They attempted 37 two-point field goals and made 27. The
stat was a result of Pitt’s dominance in the paint, which eventually was too
much for Marquette to overcome. Dejuan Blair led the way with 23 points on 7/10
shooting.

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