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NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Following what was a pedantic and predictable non-tremor inducing regional, I leave you with this thought: Memphis is the most flawed No. 1 seed in the tournament. They might be the most flawed top seed in many years.
That thud you just heard was Memphis demonstrating the fine art of stonemasonry while shooting its free throws.
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| That's right, Coach C. You should be worried about your team's flaws after this game. (US Presswire) |
The bottom line from Memphis' near death experience is the Bulldogs demonstrated what I have been saying about Memphis since the NCAA tournament began -- Memphis is ripe to be had.
They may yet win everything because of sheer firepower. In some cases, they're the U.S. Army and opponents are Grenada. They have enough game, guns and elevation to inflict damage to both backboards and frontcourts.
But Memphis is nothing more than streetballers. They're AND 1. They're rock stars, the Britney Spears of college basketball. The Tigers will sell out arenas and sell a lot of records but it remains to be seen if they can win a Grammy.
There is no display of team ball like UCLA or North Carolina or even Texas. They couldn't care less about making free throws.
All John Calipari does is roll the basketball onto the floor and his players shoot 3s and dunk and brick their free throws.
Yet make them adjust and run an actual offense and they can't do it.
The Tigers have accumulated a gaudy record because of the sheer force of the athleticism of their players. Calipari has assembled a group of superhuman trapeze artists.
But not a true basketball team.
This could not be more evident than their 77-74 victory over Mississippi State which propelled the Tigers into the Sweet 16. The Bulldogs played smart, controlled the basketball early, frustrating Memphis into turnovers and bad shots. With eight minutes left in the first half Mississippi State led 18-12.
The Bulldogs utilized a suffocating defense forcing Memphis further and further away from the basket, making them shoot long, bad shots. The Bulldogs also prevented Memphis from getting fast breaks and dunks. With about three minutes left in the first half, it was still close with the Tigers grabbing a two-point lead.
Memphis went on its predictable runs and enjoyed its prerequisite dunks. Still, as in Memphis' game against hapless UT-Arlington on Friday night, the Tigers had difficulty dealing a lethal blow to Mississippi State. Memphis had just a 10 point lead with around 14 minutes to play, an eight-point lead a short time later and a five-point lead soon after that.
The game was 48-45 with 11 minutes left and 50-49 two minutes later. It was tied at 52 with seven minutes remaining. By then, Memphis had missed 9 of 14 free throws while the Bulldogs connected on 12 of 17. In all, Memphis shot 46.9 percent from the line and an embarrassing 45.5 percent in the second half when making them became vital.
But free throws don't mean anything.
Right?
Mississippi State was woefully outmatched from a talent standpoint and had no right standing toe to toe with Memphis but there they were hanging tough thanks to playing team ball and running a legitimate offense.
Eventually the talent gap took its toll. Mississippi State players were breathing heavily at the end of the game and making judgment mistakes they hadn't earlier. They were clearly tired.
They were done.
Memphis is just getting started.
It will be interesting to watch them play some of the greatly coached teams left in the tournament. Other teams are going to do exactly what Mississippi State did: play Hack-a-Shaq and see if Memphis can make their free throws.
Except those teams will be closer in talent to Memphis. Much closer.
And those teams won't shoot 45 percent from the free throw line.
It was fitting late in the game when a thick curtain blocking sunlight from entering a doorway in Alltel Arena was accidentally pulled back and a bright ray of light shined into the face of Memphis players as they attempted free throws. Excuse me, as they missed free throws.
The literal spotlight will be on the Tigers and the free throw stripe for the remainder of the tournament.
Team ball versus AND 1.
Which style will win a championship?