Tiger coach Tommy West bemoaned his offense’s lack of “want-to” in Friday’s 83-play scrimmage at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.

Still, there were some numbers that were hard to dismiss.

Quarterback Martin Hankins, firmly entrenched as the starter, went 8-of-11 for 120 yards and a touchdown. On a 12-play scoring drive early in the scrimmage, he went 5-of-6 for 47 yards and would have been perfect had a play not been busted. Hankins’ one incomplete pass during the 65-yard drive struck an unsuspecting receiver in the back.

Also, backup Will Hudgens went 10-of-16 for 114 yards and a TD, exhibiting a touch on short passes that he previously had lacked. He hooked up with Steven Black for a 35-yard score on a perfectly lofted toss to the right corner of the end zone.

And speaking of Black, the junior college transfer continues to be a playmaker. On the scoring pass, he deftly shielded cornerback LaKeitharun Ford on the play to haul in the TD. Black caught a scrimmage-best five passes for 76 yards. He and Duke Calhoun (four catches, 99 yards, 1 TD) could give the Tigers a potent 1-2 receiving punch.

Not sure if Miguel Barnes can nudge his way into gaining more playing time than starting running back Joe Doss, but Barnes has the make-you-miss moves and the breakaway speed that no other back possesses. He showed it on several runs Friday.

Several observations as Tiger football wraps up its second week of spring workouts:

1) Good as advertised (maybe better): A priority for West during the recruiting season was to bring in several mid-year junior college players who could have an immediate impact. Early indications are defensive tackle Freddie Barnett, receiver Steven Black, linebacker Tommy Phelps and offensive linemen Terrence Echols and Cody Stubblefield will contribute quickly.
Barnett started strong, but has been slowed by injury. He may not play the next two weeks, but he’ll be a factor in the fall. Black is a prize, a receiver who can make a difficult catch in traffic as well as stretch the defense. Phelps is a playmaker, always around the ball and pushing starter Heath Grant.

2) If the Tiger running backs remain healthy, it could be a team strength. Senior Joe Doss is a veteran leader, who can get the tough yards inside. Sophomore Miguel Barnes and T.J. Pitts have been impressive in practice, with Pitts looking like the prize recruit he was in 2005.

3) Defensively, new cornerbacks coach Derek Jones has infused a toughness and a swagger. It’s a key position for the Tiger defense if it expects to become a dominant unit again.

4) Quarterback Martin Hankins is looking as if he will not be challenged for the starting job. He has completed 14-of-19 in scrimmage situations with no interceptions and a touchdown.

Our Tiger Bloggers will give us their thoughts throughout the University of Memphis’ run through the NCAA Tournament

From Mike Parham, Memphis:

I think expecations are sky-high now. Our obvious two weaknesses were at point guard and depth at big man. With Derrick Rose coming, point guard will become a strength. Sean Taggert (I might have his name wrong- the transfer from Iowa State) will give us some depth at the post.

Another bright spot is that it looks like we won’t have to go through our traditional third season of “is Calipari leaving” this year. The only worry I had was a rumor that Joey was going to go pro. If the rumor were true, maybe the silver lining of the loss is that Joey was humbled and will decide to stay.

The only real downer is the realization that our real season only lasts for three games during the tournament. The Conference USA regular season and tournament is a complete waste. Unless some of the teams can at least rise to the level of Mike Anderson-era UAB teams, I’m all for getting out of the conference and going independent. Let’s see what happens next year.

Our Tiger Bloggers will give us their thoughts throughout the University of Memphis’ run through the NCAA Tournament

From Patti Yancey, Bartlett:

I really liked Andrew’s response…I too felt down, still a little under the weather from New Orleans and a little disappointed that we didn’t ’show’ the announcers how really wrong they were….but as I look back…I realize that nothing we could have done would have changed the way people think about us…either they like us or they dont …its their loss…not knowing what a great team we have ( and they remain our team)….and not just athletically either…but a team that has played together all year on and off the court and supported each other with character and strength and called each other out when necessary, to represent a school, a community, and a love for basketball in the best fashion possible as unbelievable young men stepping up to the plate in life. Just like our own children, sometimes, no matter how hard we will it or wish it to be we cant take away the hurt or disappointment…but as adults, they learn from trials and tribulations and move forward, better from the experience and use it during all those life tests that will come their way. Thank you TEAM….EVERYONE of you…..for all the fun….while I haven’t played basketball in a few years now (you couldn’t cross the center court line when I did…lol) I enjoy it still…vicariously through you…each one a little different player but our team was one I will remember forever…As I said last year….I cant wait until next fall…and we remain…BIA….GO TIGERS….

Our Tiger Bloggers will give us their thoughts throughout the University of Memphis’ run through the NCAA Tournament

From Erik Henninger, Birmingham:

What a game. I took a bunch of notes on the game, but I threw them away. I don’t think I can take reliving that game knowing the outcome.

First, Ohio State played a great game. Even when Oden was on the bench they stayed tough. Most importantly, they made their free throws down the stretch.

In the opening minutes, The Tigers looked nervous for the first time since the North Texas game. Deep down, I knew The Tigers were going to have a tough time advancing when their FG % was hovering around 40% for the tournament.

As others have said, the refs took Memphis out of the game at crucial times, and I can point to several blown calls.

Yes, Douglas-Roberts foul on Oden was intentional (I don’t think anyone will argue that) but if you’re gonna call that, give Oden a tech for hanging on the rim multiple times (merely of effect or intimidation). Fact is, that Technical would have severely altered the first half, much like the phantom fouls called against Allen and Dorsey did.

If you’re going to take Memphis Players out of the game, do the same for Ohio State. The final doesn’t indicate it, but this was a close game and officiating (or lack there of) was too much of a factor. Unfortunately for Memphis, Ohio State came to play for once in the tournament, and the refs continued their love affair with The Buckeyes (just ask Xavier).

This Memphis team is young. They will lick their wounds, reflect on their mistakes and come back stronger next season. This tournament was an invaluable experience for these players and a thrilling ride for this fan.

Go Tigers Go.

Our Tiger Bloggers will give us their thoughts throughout the University of Memphis’ run through the NCAA Tournament

From David Rubio, Franklin, Tenn.:

After 24 hours of reflection, I have the following thoughts on our Elite 8 game with Ohio State:

1. While they had the best player…I think we had the better team. Each time Oden went to the bench, we made a run & it was during such runs, that we built a lead of our own. And each time we built a lead, Matta would send Oden back in & the lead disappeared. The proof is right there. Oden made that much of a difference. There is no one on our team that means THAT much to our success. Because Conley is so quick & their shooters are hitting big shots, it’s hard to imagine that OSU will be eliminated unless Oden gets in foul trouble.

2. CDR’s intentional foul has haunted me. First, there’s no denying that the resulting shift in momentum was THE turning point in the game…there was simply no bigger moment in the game. Secondly, because I’ve considered it a mistake for Chris to risk picking up his 4th foul with 9:43 remaining under ANY circumstances, I’ve been hesitant to totally blame the refs for the resulting disaster. However, after much consideration, I may have gotten it wrong. (Thinking through the last 66 wins & 8 losses, I just can’t think of another time that CDR made a truly stupid decision.) I’m beginning to think that CDR’s foul might not have been a mistake after all. I mean, who’s kidding whom here, my basketball smarts don’t compare to his…we’re talking CD-freaking-R! Is it possible that his foul was a concerted effort to head off just such a momentum swing? And is it also possible that the refs, by making a terrible mistake by calling an intentional (and by compounding it by giving Oden the bucket), took the game out of the hands of the players & into their own? I think so.
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Our Tiger Bloggers will give us their thoughts throughout the University of Memphis’ run through the NCAA Tournament

From Keith Ellis, Lexington, Ky.:

I’m not going to count my chickens too soon, so I’ll hold back judgment on how amazing the Tigers can be next year until after the early entry deadline. I don’t think any of our guys will go, but I have seen crazier things happen in the past, and I don’t want to jump the gun. But if you look at all the pieces that should be in place for next year, one has to believe we’ll be in the preseason top 5, if not #1 depending on how many guys leave other schools. We lose Jeremy, who I admit I was wrong about at the beginning of the season, but Doneal can play his role. We add in Derrick Rose, and everything else stays the same. The one thing I worry about is how the team chemistry will be affected by the addition of a star. Will Rose be okay not taking the final shot, can he give way to CDR and Antonio’s leadership? These are my concerns. Otherwise I’d like to see Joey continue to get stronger, yet stay out of foul trouble, Pierre and Kareem continue to condition well, and everyone shoot foul shots.