Hey everybody. As you probably know by now, I’m the new Tigers basketball beat writer at the Commercial Appeal. First, here’s a little background on me: I grew up just across the river (and a little further down I-40) in Hot Springs, Arkansas and went to college at Vanderbilt. After graduating, I went to work for the Colorado Springs Gazette, where I covered a variety of college and pro sports. Most recently, I spent the last two years covering Air Force Academy athletics.

That’s the short version anyway.

I’m very happy to now be in Memphis, and I look forward to writing (and blogging) about the Tigers. I’ll have an update for you later tonight from Memphis Madness.

Some numbers to think about before the Tigers play Arkansas State Saturday at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium:

33-of-47 — Tiger quarterback Martin Hankins’ completions and attempts the past two games. During the two-game stretch he has thrown for 382 yards and four touchdowns and been intercepted twice.

0-4 — Memphis’s record when it allows an opponent to score 20 or more points.

93 — Receiving yards needed by Tiger wideout Ryan Scott to surpass Maurice Avery and move into seventh place on the school’s career receiviing list. Scott, who has 1,281 yards, moved into the top 10 last weekend with a 120-yard performance.