As expected, Antonio Anderson was named tournament MVP, joining Derrick Rose and CDR on the all-tourney team. When Anderson was announced as MVP, CDR slapped him on the back of the head in joy, knocking off his championship hat. The Tigers gathered near center court and locked arms for their celebration dance. Andre Allen climbed a ladder and cut down the net. The fans have been chanting “ONE MORE YEAR!” and it could be directed at Allen, Rose or CDR.

So, this tournament is over, but the more important one remains. Sunday afternoon, the Tigers will find out where they’re headed, although everyone in Memphis hopes and assumes it’ll be Little Rock. The adventure continues, hopefully all the way to San Antonio.

Stay tuned.  And thanks for following the games with The Memphis Edge.

Tigers win easily, 77-51, as the last seconds drain away. Streamers fall from the sky. A ladder is being positioned under the nets so they can be cut down. Coming next is the trophy presentation and announcement of the all-tournament team and the MVP. Mack, Kemp and Allen are standing on the scorer’s table, waving a banner that pronounces them Conference USA champs.

The media here seem to favor Antonio for MVP….

Wow, attendance was just announced. 14,071. That’s even smaller than I thought. Blame the early start and travel plans for the NCAA.

Tiger fans are chanting “JOEY JOEY JOEY!” and Dorsey obliges by standing up and waving to his fans. In return, they give him a huge ovation. The love affair continues.

Somewhere, a UAB fan dressed like Larry the Cable Guy shivers and calls for his mommy.

That other relic of the ’90s, the Wave, is back. Tiger fans have been doing it all day. Clearly, this is a result of boredom as the Tigers are just drilling Tulsa, 68-39. Antonio Anderson has been unstoppable, hitting all four of three-point attempts en route to 19 points. Cal just brought in the second team with just under six minutes to play…

Instead of subbing one or two at a time, Cal’s been running a first and second unit almost the entire game, just like Hubie Brown did with the Grizzlies. First unit is the starters: Dorsey, Dozier, Rose, CDR and Anderson. Second unit has been Allen, Robinson, Kemp, Taggart and Mack. It’s clearly working well: the bench scored 13 points in the first half, and the Tigers are up 55-29 with 11:50 to play.

That’s what the vendor behind me is bellowing. And yes, despite the early hour, folks are taking him up on it.

I love that. Drinking beer at 11:45 a.m. on a Saturday while the Tigers are playing. It feels like I’m back in college.

Of course, I’m on duty, so I’m not partaking.

Damn.