I often get asked how I come up with certain angles to write about after each game. I abide by a very simple philosophy. If I were a fan sitting in the stands watching the game and going to a nearby bar on Beale Street afterwards, what’s the first thing I’d tell somebody who didn’t see the game about what I just saw?
Last night, the thing that stood out to me above all else was the Tigers’ defense. Sure, Memphis has made tons of strides offensively in the past couple weeks. But I just don’t get the sense yet that the players have made a commitment yet to being a lockdown defensive team. When I went in the locker room to interview players and coach John Calipari, the party line seemed to be that the Tigers played good defense and Austin Peay simply made shots.
Sure, statistics can sometimes be misleading. Opponents might have nights where everything seems to go in. But still, 53.6 percent is 53.6 percent, and that’s what Austin Peay shot from the field last night. (FYI, they were shooting 57 percent with 12 minutes to go.) And that comes on the heels of Arkansas State shooting 46.9 percent against the Tigers.
So for comparison’s sake, I went back and looked at last year’s games against the “buy” teams on Memphis’ schedule:
Jackson State: 20-for-61 (32.8%)
Arkansas State: 23-for-53 (43.4%)
Manhattan: 18-for-53 (34.0%)
Austin Peay: 19-for-54 (35.2%)
Middle Tennessee: 18-for-55 (32.7%)
Lamar: 20-for-64 (31.3%)
I think it’s pretty black and white, but feel free to draw your own conclusions.
in Tiger Basketball
Responses to “Wrapping up APSU”
November 29th, 2007 at 1:04 am
Southern Illinois aka lockdown defensive team
Final score USC 70 SIU 45
Florida Gators lockdown defensive team ?? Nope,
2 national championships,yep
Let’s BELIEVE our guys will lock down when the need arises and get on another subject like
how about Joey NO FOULS vs APeay or who are the people who didn’t show up and had their name
drawn for 42″ TV or how about that new player
INTRO VIDEO, awesome.
Congrats Tigers,you are special to a lot of people
from all of Shelby County.
November 29th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Thanks for your insight. I agree with you Dan. I watch these Tigers play with the complete game in mind. Yes we do alot of good things however defense concerns me greatly. Second is free throw shooting. Message to Coach Cal, Thanks for the excitement you bring and as well as the players. I look forward to seeing every game. Please work on the defense, free throws, and stop shooting threes when we miss three in a row. Go for a closer shot and keep putting points on the board. then go back to the outside.
November 30th, 2007 at 8:46 am
Message for Coach Cal:
You’ve only won 72 of the last 80, without all of our coaching help,imagine what you could have done if you chose a new blogger each week to develop your game plan for the next game.
November 30th, 2007 at 11:07 am
I have been a fan all my life. I have season ticket too, football included. My wife and I both are products of MPHS State. I have a son graduating in two weeks and a daughter graduating next year. The U of M gets my 100% support and my dollars.(What more can I do but give my thoughts) No question the Tigers are GREAT and my love has not changed. I am here for the long haul and as a fan and one of the best “arm chair coaches” in Memphis. I want my voice to be heard just like the next guy. If I can see it, what happens when a real coach exploits these deficiencies? It’s all about having fun and enjoying your team and blogging is a perfit fill in between games.
November 30th, 2007 at 11:32 am
I couldn’t agree with you more, we need more 100%
tiger bloggers to join this site, Dan is not obligated to do this ,he is doing this to help fill in the dead time between games and keep
tiger faithful informed. Ed your fanhood is tops.
November 30th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
First, Dan thanks for your time and this site.I love it. My family is glad I have another outlet to express my love of college basketball.
Second, Irish Mike I think we both bleed blue. Go Tigers!
Third, I am gathering my thoughts for our game against USC. I watched last night’s game and will be viewing the Kansas game as well.
Fouth, Message to coach Cal. I am here if you need me.
Fifth, To all the other fans, Im here to share to all that will listen (read)!
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6 comment.