It's easy to criticize and be skeptical of Memphis, but as the 2008 college basketball regular season progresses, it's increasingly difficult to argue with the Tigers' results.

Through 50 consecutive Conference USA victories, 14 straight wins this season and a 68-50 blowout win at Gonzaga on Saturday, the Tigers have reasserted themselves as forces on the national front.

Meanwhile, teams ranked ahead of Memphis continue to show chinks in their armor. Ten teams ranked ahead of No. 15 Memphis lost in the last two weeks, including No. 4 Duke, No. 5 Louisville, No. 6 Pittsburgh, No. 7 Wake Forest, No. 8 Marquette, No. 9 Xavier, No. 10 Clemson, No. 11 Butler, No. 12 Purdue and No. 13 Michigan State.

Though that doesn't necessarily paint Memphis as a better team as any of these squads, it goes to show that what the Tigers are doing is certainly something to be admired.

Good teams have bad nights and lose games all the time (Clemson 74, Duke 47 on Feb. 2). Good teams lose to bad teams all the time (Georgia Tech 76, Wake Forest 74 on Jan. 31 or South Florida 57, Marquette 56 on Feb. 6). Good teams come up short in close games all the time (Duquesne 72, Xavier 68 or Florida State 65, Clemson 61, both on Feb. 7).

Memphis hasn't done any of that recently. The Tigers have played close games (Tulsa and Tennessee), played tough teams (Tennessee and Gonzaga) and, thanks to Conference USA, plenty of bad teams.

But after a Dec. 20 loss to Syracuse and the changes that followed—most noticeably, Tyreke Evans' move to point guard—the Tigers have been flawless.

And though the Tigers aren't perfect by any means—particularly on the offensive end—they're smothering defensively.

Gonzaga, which averaged close to 79 points per game heading into Saturday night, managed just 50.

Bulldogs guard Matt Bouldin, who averages more than 13 points per game, scored just six on 2-of-9 shooting. Electric point guard Jeremy Pargo had five turnovers and just two points on 1-of-6 shooting.

More than anything, Memphis came through with the "toughness" plays it didn't against Xavier, Georgetown, and Syracuse.

Robert Dozier (18 points, 10 rebounds) grabbed six offensive rebounds, Shawn Taggart took down three and Pierre Henderson-Niles had three of his own in just 10 minutes.

Each Memphis starter had a steal, and Evans (22 points, six rebounds, two assists) had just two turnovers. The Tigers made their free throws (78.9 percent), and out-rebounded Gonzaga 37-21.

Memphis may not have three future NBA players on its roster, but the Tigers are playing with a sense of confidence much like they did a year ago.

If the Tigers continue to roll through conference play, a high seed is imminent, and the door is at least open for another run deep into the NCAA Tournament.