Apparently, two camps have broken out in Tiger nation following Memphis’ 62-58 overtime victory over USC. You can pretty much sum them up this way:
Camp A: Sure, the Tigers are 7-0 and ranked No. 2 in the country, but something just doesn’t seem to be quite right about this team. It’s hard to exactly put your finger on it, but they haven’t come close to playing a complete game yet (and how good are Connecticut and USC anyway?), and several players individually are not performing close to their potential.
and
Camp B: Winning is all that matters. They’re undefeated, they’re ranked No. 2, and they just played as bad as they can possibly play offensively and still beat a very good team. This game shows you just how good they are. Every team has tough games, and you take the win and move on.
If you’re in Camp A, you accuse the Camp B-ers of burying their heads in the sand and ignoring obvious problems that need to be addressed. If you’re in Camp B, you say that the Camp A-ers are being “Miserables” and expecting too much too early from a team that is guaranteed to get better in December. That’s pretty much how it goes, and the debate can get downright nasty.
The reality is, both sides are exactly right, up to a point. But here’s the funny thing. Let’s imagine USC guard Daniel Hackett had made that one little free throw with five seconds left to give USC the win. How different would the conversation be? How much would the analysis change? Would anybody be talking about Memphis’ grit or its defense or its will to win? Or would Chris Douglas-Roberts be the goat for committing a very dumb foul? Would Tiger fans be angry? Or would those defending the team’s performance be labeled as apologists and homers?
The truth about Tuesday night is that it really didn’t matter whether Memphis won or lost the game — at least, not in the big picture. It won’t matter come NCAA Tournament time. If you’re going to engage in serious analysis of a college basketball team, you have to look deeper than which side of a coin flip you came out on. Had Hackett made the free throw, my opinion of Memphis and the issues I would want addressed would be exactly the same. Talking about an issue, as it becomes a trend, doesn’t make you a “Miserable” simply because it’s negative and your team happened to win. It makes you an intelligent fan. On the other hand, don’t ignore the idea that winning a game when things didn’t go your way can be a valuable and much-needed experience.
in Tiger Basketball
Responses to “Analysis is a funny thing”
December 6th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Hmm … I can’t say I got much from that posting. Yes, the prevailing arguments were neatly summed up for us in one quick blog posting. However, I can’t say I really gleened much from that considering you cover the Tigers in detail and have big time access to the players and coaches as far as I can tell.
Let’s get back to Tiger coverage. Tell us what’s going on in practices, what players are saying, what coaches are doing, and injury updates. This is inside info you have that other journalists don’t bother with. Sometimes you do this well … and when you do … this is probably the only source for this info on the web. This city has more than your fair share of Tiger fans suffering through mounds of monotonous coverage from the crack news teams on local TV and talk radio.
Delving into 2D debates like this is much more fit for crappy Memphis sports talk radio … not your blog. Let Lapides tackle this one between stories about Ole Miss in 1961 and Crump Stadium. You were probably busy … maybe it was a slow news day.
Just remember: You’ve been granted an all insider pass with the 2007/8 U of M Tigers. You’re sitting shotgun for a rather unique opportunity that we don’t see here in Memphis very often. Don’t waste time and effort with stories that go nowhere … you are a better journalist than this.
Sincerely,
A Simple Tiger Fan
December 6th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
I agree with Michael - Dan you have a spot that we all covet. Your eyes and voice help us understand and know the issues are being address. We all could list the Tigers top five weakness and we could watch them emerge in every game. We fans that study the game in our novise ways want to know the basic issues are being addressed in practice.
Getting Antonio’s groove back is my number one, free throws shooting is number two.
Number three is coaching - Coach Cal knows whats coming and he’s the professional here.
Four we are too predictable, The Tigers need to be the ones who muck it up and keep them guessing.
Five we need more motion offense keep these team moving and wear them down and then attack with the killer offence.
December 7th, 2007 at 8:49 am
Dan, Dan, Dan… for argument’s sake, let’s suppose Hackett did make the second free throw and the Tigers lost by one. That doesn’t “Camp A” (as you put it) is correct. It also doesn’t mean “Camp B” (as you put it) is correct.
As someone pointed out on the Tiger internet message board, www.memphistigers.org, if something is wrong with the team, harmony, effort, desire, etc.; then the first thing to manifest is ineffectual defense. The Tigers played great defense against USC in the win and if Memphis had lost, it still doesn’t diminish the defensive effort put forth.
It was an ugly game, everyone agrees. Some just don’t come to the same conclusions you draw.
I put myself squarely in “Camp C(al)”.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:03 am
Sitting with my feet on the court at the Garden
for both the CVC and Jimmy V , I walked out of the Garden, 3 victories in hand, back through the
Lincoln Tunnel to New Jersey and to Newark
Airport next morning. A “W” ,Thats all that matters. If we all start thinking about the next game, not the last game it sure makes life easier. Games like USC, a team that beat SIU by 25
and lost to 4 vs Kansas, can go either way. The best team won, next game 12/15, lets move on.
December 7th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Irish Mike - I am jealous - you and Dan both at the Garden. How cool was that?
Moving on sound like a plan. Can’t make it to Nashville. My son Graduates from the U of Memphis the same day, 12/15/07.
MSTU match up after this New York trip is great scheduling on Cal’s part along with Cincy right behind. Our scheduling appears to favor the Tigers over the next 3 weeks.
Especially with G’town and Arizona at home.
December 7th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
Unlike Dan I like the Garden. But in his defense
he got some bad seating and the press is used to
front row amenities.
Speaking of debates, 7-0 and number 2 in USA is
not debateable, miserable or true bleedin” blue.
December 7th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Had Hackett made the free throw, Robert Dozier would have hit the jumper. Tigers win in regulation.
December 8th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
I am a die heart Tiger Fan, and would love to cut down the nets in April. Furthermore, Cal is the best recruiter I’ve ever seen and he is very charming. However, his coaching philosophy is that of an idealist. At what point does he just get an assistant coach that can coach and stick to P.R. Don’t get me wrong I like him alot however I don’t understand him. Derek Rose is undoubtedly the best athelete on team but that does not mean he is “the team.” We have an Elite 8 team therefore we are not in need of a savior. Rose is struggling to find himself and it comes at the teams expense.This is too familiar remember Wagner he totally destroyed Kelly Wise’s future and almost did the same to Earl Barron. Rose would make an excellent 6th man but Cal won’t do it because he wants to recruit more 1 and done players like Tyreke Evans. Wille Kemp should be starting and so should Donnel Mack. Antonio Anderson is good but he’s does not deserve to start. Listen Cal please put your best players on the floor whom ever it may be. Enough is enough, if you keep going the way you’re going you will be the “laughing stock” of basketball. Cal it is all about chemistry not philosophy.
December 9th, 2007 at 12:11 am
There are 200 minutes available in a game with out O.T. Nine guys getting 20 mins +/- per game. What I see a lot of different combinations of players. Yes Coach Cal could mix it up with the starter but maybe this is one of his recruiting artibutes.
Hey, I one of the best “arm chair” coaches in Memphis and yes I have my suggestions however, with a 7/0 start - my suggestions are not needed at this time, just my support - Go Tigers!
December 9th, 2007 at 6:28 am
This message is in response to hotrod. Cal knows exactly what he’s doing with personel. Antonio Anderson has to get significant minutes for this team to be succesful. He definitely has struggled at times this year but he is a stopper on the defensive end. Mack is much more skilled offensively but he struggles defensively. He gets beat off the dribble to easily. If you didn’t notice we won the game because of defense. I completely disagree with anyone who says if we played a top 10 team the night we beat USC we would have been blown out. Memphis will not get blown out on any night against anybody. We play the best defense in the country when we have to and that will make it difficult for anyone to beat us any night. I think when teams play us in that matchup zone we should run our press like we always do, but I think we should trap because it was very effective when we did it in the second half and went on the run that put us ahead. It creates turnovers and forces tempo. We play nine guys so there’s no reason we couldn’t do that for 40 minutes. As far as Rose goes, he isn’t hurting the team. He is a completely different player than Wagner. He’s much better for the team. He’ll be fine. He played good defense and without him we probably lose that game. Wagner shot about 20 times a game. Rose is averaging about 12 shots a game. Not to mention, he might already have more assist in 7 games than Wagner did the entire year. Anyway, we will be a tough out come March and that’s all any team can ask for.
December 9th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
I love the Tigers win or lose! We can not ignore the lack of intensity that our team displays during games. It is just a matter of time before it catches up with us. We will beat Georgetown because quite frankly they look worse than we do. We will beat Arizona and Gonzaga because we are playing at home.However, Tennessee will mop the floor with us if things don’t change.I hate Tennessee but they have awesome guards.
Furthermore, if Anderson’s defense is so outstanding how did Banks (Arkansas State) score 30 plus points. We are undefeated because of TDD! Tagart, Dozier, & Dorsey and yet Cal rewards Dorsey by running no plays through him. We bring in Tyrone Weeks for what because he has not taught Joey one post move. He’s another “yes man” and Rod Strickland is one of the best point guards to ever play the game! Yet Willie Kemp’s game is the only game that slightly resembles Coach Strickland.
Jeff Robinson should be red-shirted because he is not ready at all. Niles and Bailey should transfer to UTEP and thats the bottem line! Derek Rose is great however we are an elite eight team! Our offense has taken a step backwards and the defense too for that matter.
If Marvin Williams can be a top five pick as a 6th man Rose can too. Rose is confused and you can see it in his eyes. He wants to please everybody but doesn’t how. Cal should stop playing “spin doctor” and admit that things aren’t going as planned. Every top tier team in the nation lost a starter except us we benched one and now we are going through needless grow pains.
December 9th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Here’s my 2 cents - We are not # 2 by accident. Every team is gunning for us and will be bringing their “A” game. Face it, all of our games will bring out the best in everyone! And yes we are going to see someone go our of their mind playing us. But also, note each team will try to stop Rose or CDR or both however, we will have someone step it up and carry the load just like TDD. We are too deep and too tallented. I hate the ugly games just like the next guy. Everyone get ready the law of averages says we should lose a game or two. Hopefully when we look back on this season we will see the brillants of it. But then hind sight is 20/20.
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