Bleacher Report - Memphis

Vols Will Try To Reverse Chick-Fil-A Misfortunes Against Virginia Tech

Ben Garrett — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:57:14 -0500

Although it won't be official for several days, it appears that Tennessee and Virginia Tech will square off in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta on New Year's Eve.

Multiple reports emerged on Tuesday placing the Vols in the bowl—which is played in the Georgia Dome and is televised on ESPN. The Chick-fil-A Bowl was the most logical bowling opportunity for Tennessee after the Vols were apparently snubbed by the Outback Bowl.

The bowl creates a matchup between the Vols and the Hokies that is sure to be highly anticipated. Separated only by a short drive along Interstates 40 and 81, talk of a Tennessee-Virginia Tech matchup has persisted since the Hokies surged onto the national scene under Frank Beamer. Bristol Motor Speedway owner Bruton Smith even tried to negotiate a deal that would have seen the two teams square off in the infield of "The World's Fastest Half-Mile."

It's the sort of matchup that will have both Chick-fil-A and ESPN salivating. The Georgia Dome attendance record was set at a Chick-fil-A Bowl: More than 75,000 attended the 2006 edition, which pitted the Hokies against Georgia. The bowl has also produced two of ESPN's highest-rated bowl broadcast ratings. Each of those accomplishments could be repeated this year.

But if the Vols are to ring in the new year in celebration rather than sorrow, they will need to overcome some misfortunes in both the game and the building in which it is played.

Since Tennessee staged a second half comeback against Mississippi State in 1998, winning the SEC championship and sewing up a berth in the first-ever BCS National Championship Game, the Vols have suffered a jinx in the Georgia Dome.

In three appearances in the SEC Championship Game since the back-to-back conference titles in 1997 and '98, Tennessee has come up empty. None were more heartbreaking than the 2001 debacle. Fresh off a stunning upset of Florida, the 2nd-ranked Vols were poised to play for their second BCS title, but were surprised by No. 21 LSU in the SEC Championship Game, 31-20. Losses to Auburn (38-28 in 2004) and again to LSU (21-14 in 2007) followed.

The Vols haven't fared much better on the Georgia Dome hardwood of late. In 2008, Tennessee entered the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament in Atlanta as the top overall seed after finishing the regular season with a 14-2 mark in conference play. The Vols were upset by Arkansas, 92-91, in the semifinals of the tournament.

In 2007, Tennessee was upset by SEC West cellar dweller LSU, 76-67, in the first round of the tournament at the Georgia Dome.

In five other conference tournaments at the Georgia Dome since 1998, the Vols have never advanced past the second day of play. In both 1999 and 2000, Tennessee entered as the No. 1 seed from the East, only to be upset in the first game.

Then there have been the Chick-fil-A Bowl appearances at the Dome. Tennessee has twice played in the bowl since it moved to the Georgia Dome in 1991. Both performances were forgettable.

But for back-to-back October losses to Georgia and Auburn, Tennessee would have been undefeated in 2003. Led by senior quarterback Casey Clausen, the Vols turned in a memorable season, one that included a win over Florida, a thrilling, five-overtime victory over Alabama, and an upset of Miami at the Orange Bowl. Then came the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

Snubbed by the Outback Bowl, No. 6 Tennessee went to the chicken sandwich bowl as the highest-ranked team to ever play in the bowl. Some might argue that the Vols never got off the bus. An unranked Clemson team dominated Tennessee, winning 27-14 in a major upset.

But even that performance was better than the one the year before. In 2002, Tennessee struggled to an 8-4 regular season, and was happy to earn a trip to the Chick-fil-A Bowl. The Vols tangled with No. 15 Maryland in a game that was never close. Quarterback Scott McBrien put on a clinic, and the Terrapins defeated the Vols 30-3.

There haven't been many good things happen for the Vols in the Georgia Dome over the past decade. In fact, no one would blame Tennessee for celebrating if the Dome ceased to be a venue for post-season championships, tournaments, bowls and other sporting events.

But Tennessee's 21st Century misfortunes in the Georgia Dome match its misfortunes in the Chick-fil-A Bowl quite well. The Vols have made four appearances in the bowl (tied for 6th-most among all NCAA teams). Their only win came on Jan. 2, 1988—when the bowl was still known as the Peach Bowl and was played at Atlanta's Fulton County Stadium.

Tennessee entered that game fresh off a 9-2-1 regular season that included a 20-20 tie of No. 3 Auburn. Ranked No. 17 in the nation, the Vols defeated Indiana 27-22 to wrap up a 10-win season with a Top 15 ranking.

Tennessee's other appearance in the bowl came in 1982, also at Fulton County Stadium. Carrying a 6-4-1 record and unranked, the Vols lost 28-22 to Iowa.

But Virginia Tech hasn't exactly had Chick-fil-A Bowl success to write home about, either. In three appearances in the bowl, the Hokies have only won once: a 25-24 win over North Carolina in 1986. Miami defeated the Hokies, 20-10, in 1981, and Georgia knocked off Beamer's squad in 2006, 31-24.

Tennessee and Virginia Tech may be a combined 2-5 in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, but that is hardly indicative of each program's success in the modern era of college football. And with that much tradition represented in the Georgia Dome this New Year's Eve, don't be surprised if the Chick-fil-A Bowl continues its recent success as one of the most-anticipated, most-watched non-BCS bowls.

Read more Memphis news on BleacherReport.com

Tennessee to Play Virginia Tech in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl

Joel Barker — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:35:39 -0500

According to a the Knoxville News Sentinel, a source close to the situation has confirmed that Tennessee will play Virginia Tech in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl in Atlanta on New Year's Eve Night.

I predicted the Bowl to take Tennessee nearly two weeks ago, although Virginia Tech was not who I expected Tennessee to play.

Tennessee last met Virginia Tech in the 1995 Gator Bowl at the end of Peyton Manning's freshman year. The Vols won 45-14.

The game will be played at the Georgia Dome at 8:30pm on New Year's Eve.

The Chick-Fil-A bowl used to be known as the Peach Bowl.

The Vols last played in that bowl in 2002 and 2003. Both losses to Maryland and Clemson respectively.

Read more Memphis news on BleacherReport.com

Tennessee Vols Football: An '09 Retrospective of Ups vs. Downs

Joel Barker — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:53:59 -0500

I personally cannot remember a season that featured more ups and downs than the one that the Tennessee Vols and coach Lane Kiffin just completed.

Some might say '01 compared slightly. That's partially true. From the heartbreak of the last minute loss to Georgia to the ecstasy of defeating Florida in the swamp back down to the depths of despair in losing to LSU in the SEC title game.

As rough a ride as that season was, I have to say that this one has been even more-so. I think having a rookie head coach take over for a living legend has as much to do with that as anything.

The '09 season brought with it anticipation like Vols fans had not seen in nearly a decade. There were other seasons that Tennessee was ranked highly and hyped even higher, but even those pale in comparison to the "Lane Train's" inaugural ride around the SEC.

Many of us knew coming in to this season that the coaching change was not about this season. '09 was to be just the first step in a hopeful championship odyssey.

With eight games at home, I felt that the Vols would finish 8-4. Seven wins would be acceptible and should be considered a step in the right direction.

The Vols finished with seven wins and looked better through much of that process.

And a process it was.

Vols fans were giddy with the season opening win over Western Kentucky. Forget that Western Kentucky is in it's first official season in the FBS. Forget that many of their players would not make it on most FBS rosters.

Scoring 63 points in their first game after last season's miserable offensive showing was something to be proud of.

That was true until UCLA came to Knoxville. "It's time for revenge" I wrote. UCLA never should have won the Labor Day matchup in '08—this time the Lane Train was going to get them. Wrong. The Vols lost 19-15 and Jonathan Crompton looked every bit like the Jonathan Crompton of '08.

Score one for the Up's and one for the Down's.

The next week was the annual grudge match with Florida. This time it was supposed to be a complete and utter dismantling of all that Lane Kiffin and the Vols had worked for. Wrong.

Tennessee kept it close for much of the game and brought it to within 10 in the final minutes. Tim Tebow and Urban Meyer didn't get their wish of putting up 60. I was pleased with the moral victory when compared to the loss to UCLA the week before.

I consider this one a half-point each for team Up and team Down. That's 1.5 to 1.5.

Ohio payed a visit to Neyland stadium the following week and the Vols looked pretty much atrocious throughout the game. There were issues on special teams and the offense struggled to get going all night long. But a win is a win.

Another half-point each for Up and Down.

Auburn came next. The game started quite positively for Tennessee when Nu'Keese Richardson took off on the first play of the game for a 40-yard run out of the Nu'Gun package (A package that wouldn't rear it's ugly head until a few weeks later at a Knoxville gas station).

The Vols would eventually miss a field goal on that drive, the first of many future problems with the kicking game, and Auburn took off.

Crompton again looked terrible in that first half. However, once he was utilized in the hurry up offense late in the third quarter, Crompton actually started to look like a quarterback.

Auburn won 26-22 in a score that was actually closer than the game really was.

Score one for the Down's and a half-point for the Up's based on the Vols fourth quarter performance. Down's lead 3-2.5.

The hated Georgia Bulldogs came to town the following week. The game featured a couple of the up's and down's in the first half as Tennessee allowed a kickoff return. That was all erased, however, when Jonathan Crompton playaction passed his way to Lane Kiffin's first SEC win. Tennessee won 45-19 and Vols fans were giddy again.

Score 1.5 for the Up's. Up's lead 4-3 after five games.

Then came the annual Alabama rivalry. The Tide was ranked No. 1 at the time and Tennessee was a 17-point underdog.

Tennessee held the Tide out of the endzone all day. The Vols would force a late fumble, the first in Mark Ingram's career, and would drive for a last minute touchdown to make the score 12-10.

Then the Vols got the onside kick. Jonathan Crompton would put the Vols into position for the gamewinning field goal with three seconds remaining. A 44-yard attempt was all the seperated the Vols and instant respect for their new coach and the program. Unfortunately Terrance Cody had other plans.

The blocked field goal took this from a definite Up to a resounding Down.

5-4 Down's take the lead.

Sitting at 3-4 after losing to the No. 1 team in the country on a blocked field goal the Vols could have packed it in. With No. 24 South Carolina coming, however, they found more resolve than we fans could have imagined.

Tennessee forced three first half turnovers en route to a 31-13 blowout. The worst beating a Steve Spurrier-coached team had received at the hands of the Vols.

Score two for the Up's. 6-5 Up's lead.

The next week was homecoming versus Memphis. The game was over by halftime. Tennessee won 56-28. Score another for the Up's, 7-5.

At this exact point many, including myself, declared the Vols the hottest team in the SEC. Florida and Alabama were scraping by their opponents. Tennessee had just beaten two respected SEC opponents by a combined 44 points and played No. 1 'Bama to within it's final breath.

Next came the biggest down of the season. Nu'Keese Richardson and Mike Edwards decided to create their own "Nu'gun" experience by holding up three men in a gas station parking lot in Knoxville with a pellet gun.

Janzen Jackson was there, but was apparently oblivious to the attempted armed robbery as he was inside the store at the time.

All three were charged and booked for a night in jail. The charges against Jackson were later dropped, but the other two were kicked off the team.

Score a two-spot for the Down's. 7-7.

Of course that incident happened roughly 50 hours prior to a visit to Ole Miss. The Vols got McClustered to death in Oxford. The team wasn't even close to ready and the issue just days before clearly had it's effect in the 42-17 beatdown.

Two more point for the Down's.

Thankfully time heals most wounds—even the incredibly stupid one's. Vanderbilt came to town and did their annual job of padding the Vols stats and win column.

Perhaps the most memorable moment of the season came as the game was winding down. Senior DE Wes Brown intercepted a Vanderbilt pass and rumbled into the endzone on his two weak and hobbled knees for his first and only collegiate touchdown.

Score two for the Up's not only because of the win, but the added bonus that the win brought bowl eligibility. 8-8 tie.

Which brings us to Thanksgiving weekend.

Kentucky, fresh off it's first win over the 'Dawgs in Athens in over 30 years, was primed and ready to stop the Vols 24-year win streak over the Big Blue. The rabid fans and the team was hyped and ready to go.

The Vols survived the first half and dominated the second half. Still as the Vols were trying to salt away the clock, TE Luke Stocker fumbled in Kentucky territory to set up the gametying, overtime forcing field goal.

Tennessee's defense would not be denied and forced a missed field goal on Kentucky's first OT possession. Tennessee would score a touchdown six plays later to continue the streak and improve the Vols final record to 7-5.

Score two big one's for the Up's.

The Up's have it 10-8 for '09.

When changing coaches and forging a new identity for a program having more up's than down's, or more wins than losses, is never a bad thing. If you don't believe me just talk to a Michigan fan for about five minutes. Your opinion will change.

'09 was supposed to be the first step, the foundation, of a building process. After 12 games I'd say mission accomplished.

Still, a 13th game remains. Where it will be played and against whom is anyone's guess at this point. The Outback Bowl vs. Wisconsin or Northwestern; the Cotton Bowl vs. Oklahoma State; and the Chick-Fil-A Bowl vs. Virginia Tech are all very real possibilities.

No matter who the final opponent or where the final venue of '09 is the first step will still be complete and it will still be considered a success.

Read more Memphis news on BleacherReport.com

Jamaal Tinsley's Return: The Most Memorable Game in NBA History

Mike B. — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:27:09 -0500

In 1995, Michael Jordan ended his retirement and returned to the NBA scoring 19 points for the Chicago Bulls.

Classic.

The following year, Earvin "Magic" Johnson made a comeback as well recording 19 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds for the Los Angeles Lakers.

A game for the ages.

Sure, those were two of the greatest comeback stories of all time, but they simply cannot compete with Jamaal Tinsley's return to the hardwood a couple of weeks ago.

The future Hall-of-Fame point guard, now with the Memphis Grizzlies, played in his first game since the middle of the 2007-08 season.

Tinsley entered the game with 4:09 left in the first quarter receiving a standing ovation from the excited FedExForum fans.

Although he failed to score a single point or dish out an assist in his six minutes of action, Tinsley still played a huge role in helping the Grizzlies thump the Los Angeles Clippers 106-91.

Just his presence alone was enough to put fear into the eyes of the lowly Clippers.

"Man, it seemed like everything was going great for us until Tinsley came into the game," Clippers guard Baron Davis said. "Playing against arguably the greatest point guard of all time made me really nervous. I have to admit I was in awe."

Tinsley was emotional following the game as he spoke to TNT's Craig Sager.

"You don't know how much I missed this game," a teary-eyed Tinsley said. "Now I see why Michael Jordan couldn't stay retired. I love the game of basketball."

Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins faced a tough decision on rather to start Tinsley or have him backup All-Star Mike Conley.

"I wasn't quite sure if I wanted to bring Jamaal off the bench," Hollins told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "I definitely didn't want him to react like Allen Iverson did. We can't afford to lose another All-Star."

Conley will most likely be traded within the next few weeks since it doesn't make since for Memphis to have two superstar point guards on their roster.

The Grizzlies are the favorites to win the NBA championship this year.

The last thing they need is poor team chemistry.

Read more Memphis news on BleacherReport.com

Memphis Tigers Basketball: Roburt Sallie Working Through Shooting Slump

Leroy Watson — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 20:55:53 -0500

It’s a couple of days after Thanksgiving and the University of Memphis men’s basketball team is…

Having two-a-day practices.

Despite a string of early season blowout wins, and the critically-acclaimed loss to No. 1 Kansas (57-55 during the Hall of Fame Showcase) that actually raised the team’s profile across the country, the rag-tag band of Tigers still have a lot to work on.

Giving up a trip home for Thanksgiving is the price to be paid for playing basketball at the highest levels of Division I.

“I wanted to kind of sneak home, but I live in California,” said junior gunner Roburt Sallie. “It takes half a day to get home, anyway, so I’m just gonna crash at somebody’s house, eat some good food and watch some football games.

“I did it last year, I’ll do it again. It’s a part of being at this level.”

Right now, Sallie is just happy to have the crushing weight of a shooting slump removed from his shoulders.

By now, Sallie’s story is fairly well known. If you are one of the few who is not familiar with the travails of Sallie, 23, originally from Sacramento, CA, here’s the Cliff’s Notes:

Sallie originally signed with the University of Washington out of Sacramento (Calif.) Valley High School. However, he did not meet UW eligibility standards, and opted to go to prep school in order to bolster his academic dossier.

After a season at the Patterson School and then a 40-0 year at Laurinburg Prep with (among others) Antonio Anderson and Robert Dozier, Sallie matriculated to Nebraska. However, NU somehow managed to mishandle the filing of his paperwork and by the time he enrolled at NU, he was technically ineligible.

After attending class for a few days, an obscure Big 12 rule led to his being ruled ineligible to enroll at not only NU, but at any other conference school, as well.

Sallie sat out a season before eventually enrolling at City College of San Francisco. He became California Junior College Player of the year, averaging 17 PPG and displaying his remarkable all-around game.

Division I schools were drooling over him again by the end of the 2007-08 junior college season and Sallie ended up signing with John Calipari and Memphis during the summer of 2008.

Roburt, who was classified as a sophomore, endured a hellish first season as a Tiger, landing in Calipari’s doghouse shortly after fall practice began.

“That’s always the hardest thing for a player coming in is to understand the intensity and the sacrifice and the work ethic,” Calipari said in a November 2008 article in The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal.

“Just the consistency of effort both in the classroom and the basketball court. It’s all intertwined. When I see a guy that leaves early from class, or comes and goes as he pleases, that’s exactly how he practices—last one in, first one to leave practice.

“You also see they’re at the end of every line, versus step up and be the first man. See if he can take days off. Whatever correlates in the classroom, in all my years of coaching, correlates on the court. In all areas, he’s got to be more consistent.”

As a direct result, Sallie struggled to carve out a niche in the ultra-competitive guard rotation for the talent-rich Tigers. He went into the 2009 NCAA Tournament averaging about 4.5 points per game.

He promptly set an NCAA-record with 10 three-pointers in the first round contest with Cal State-Northridge, torching the Matadors for 35 points in an 81-70 triumph.

The scintillating display immediately pegged Sallie as one of the key members of the Memphis rotation during the 2009-10 season.

Fast-forward to October 2009—no need to re-hash the myriad upheavals in Memphis basketball over the spring and summer for the umpteenth time—and Roburt Sallie was struggling with his outside shooting.

Sallie had shot an impressive 47.0 percent from beyond the three-point arc during the 2008-’09 season. When he struggled to a 1-for-14 start, his career three-point shooting percentage (.427) was still the best in school history.

But Sallie—and seemingly the entire city of Memphis—knew that the junior from California was pressing.

“Struggling, that’s how I would describe myself right now,” he said candidly in the locker room following a 92-59 victory over Tennessee Tech. “I’m in a little slump.”

Though Sallie was contributing to the cause in other ways—averaging a staggering four steals per game, contributing 12 rebounds in three contests from his guard position, and only coughing up three turnovers during that period—he was recruited to score.

If he wasn’t scoring, he was not only depriving the team of a badly needed scoring threat—only Elliot Williams (21 points per game) and Will Coleman (11 ppg) were in double figures per contest through three games—he was failing to do what he was known for doing best: filling up the basket.

“I’m a shooter, that’s what I do,” Sallie said. “I think this team this year is really leaning on me to make some shots, and I just haven’t been able to hit any jumpers. It’s frustrating to me.

“But we find other ways. If I’ve gotta play defense and lock my man down, I’ll do that.”

Then came Sallie’s breakout game against Central Arkansas.

After the entire team started out at a painfully slow pace—scoring a mere seven points in the first nine minutes—five points by sophomore sensation Williams opened the floodgates.

When Sallie splashed in a trey with 8:42 left in the first half, the same Tiger squad that had scored seven points in nine minutes had erupted for nine points in just over two.

Sallie ended the night with a season-high 17 points, including 3-of-5 shooting from downtown, as the sluggish-starting Memphis team pulled away for an 81-49 triumph over the Bears.

If anything was exposed in the 57-55 loss to Kansas, it was the Tigers’ lack of offensive firepower. Sallie only managed five total points on 2-10 shooting, and he misfired on all six of his attempts from beyond the arc.

Sallie chipped in with four rebounds and four steals against the Jayhawks, but it was clear that the Tigers needed his prowess as a shooter.

Through it all, Roburt has maintained a shooter’s mentality, and he is confident that his shooting woes will not continue indefinitely.

“My shooting has not been where I want it to be right now,” he observed, “but it’s so early in the season to try to dictate how I’m gonna shoot the rest of the season. I’ll just keep taking shots and continue to get open looks.”

If the Tigers are going to get back to the big dance, he’s going to have to.

Read more Memphis news on BleacherReport.com

Memphis Grizzlies' Mike Conley Must Be More Consistent at Point Guard

A. Enslen Butler — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:00:56 -0500

It should not surprise Mike Conley that the Memphis Grizzlies' keep signing free agents who play one position: point guard.

You can debate the signings of Allen Iverson and Jamaal Tinsley. You can argue that both players are nothing more than stopgap measures and are not long-term solutions. But you can not argue that both signings are signals to the third-year player. The message: If you are not more consistent running the team, the team will move on and find someone who can.

Conley only had four points on 2-for-7 shooting in 22 minutes in the Grizzlies' 106-96 road win against Portland Friday. It is the latest in a string of inconsistent starts.

In last Saturday's game against Milwaukee, fans got to see a comparison between Conley and Bucks rookie point guard Brandon Jennings. Jennings scored 26 points in a 103-98 road win. Conley was responsible for guarding Jennings, who scored 24 second-half points.

Clearly, the team's management are believers, to a point. They have already extended his contract by picking up the team's option for the 2010-2011 season.

They also had the chance to draft Ricky Rubio with the second overall pick or another young point guard. Some of those choices are more productive than Conley now. Specifically, players like Stephen Curry and Jennings have been very productive in starts for their respective clubs.

It could be that Conley is an adequate point guard, but would need the right situation to be successful. It is possible that he is not a good fit for this team.

Conley, the fourth overall selection in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Grizzlies, has career averages of 10.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists and is averaging about 29 minutes a game.

But is this enough?

Conley is easily the most criticized starter because of inconsistent play. Fans see a player like Jennings who scores 55 points in one game. Another rookie Darren Collison, who plays for New Orleans, record his first double-double with 22 points and 11 assists in a win against Atlanta last Saturday replacing an injured Chris Paul.

When looking at other NBA teams, it is easy to have point guard-envy. I am starting to think that Conley will only be an 11-point, five-assists per game player.

He is not going to be Paul or Jennings. There are a lot of fans that believe Conley is, at best, a backup point guard in the NBA.

They believe that he is good enough to spell a top point guard, but not enough to run a club himself.

As a point guard with this team, you only need a player who can step up for big jump shots when the double team goes to one of the team's scorers. The point guard is someone who can set up the offense and teammates trust with the ball in crunch time.

Somehow, I do not think Conley will be that player.

Tell me what you think. Should the team draft a point guard in the draft next year? Should Tinsley or reserve Marcus Williams get a shot at the starting job? How long do you think Conley will hold on to the starting job?

Note: You can listen to my podcast, "Memphis Grizzlies Report ", where we talk about the latest news of the week.

Read more Memphis news on BleacherReport.com

The Black Friday Debacle: The Blazers Love to Shop

Busta Bucket — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 14:43:53 -0500

Many fans were puzzled as they watched last night's game vs. Memphis as to why the Blazers were sleepwalking through the first half. The effort was not there, and the 31-2 run by the Grizzlies didn't seem to even piss off any of the players. Zero emotion was shown.

What was wrong with this team? It was as if they hadn't gotten any sleep the night before.

That got me thinking...sure they're multi-millionaires, but that doesn't mean they don't love a good bargain. Fleets of vehicles and plasma TVs in every room of your house add up pretty quickly.

These guys must have been out waiting in the Black Friday lines just like the rest of us. They were exhausted from the shopping, crowds, and chaos that comes along with Black Friday.

That is the only way to explain the effort (or lack thereof) put forth in the first half last night. So from here on out, the loss to the Grizzlies on the day after Thanksgiving shall me known as the Black Friday Debacle.

Management better make sure the players do their shopping online next year.

Read more Memphis news on BleacherReport.com

Blazers-Grizzlies: Portland Can't Overcome Long Midgame Drought

Busta Bucket — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:46:40 -0500

BOX SCORE

If NBA games had a fifth period, the Blazers might have been able to pull this game out. Then again, there's no reason to believe the Grizzlies would have stopped having an answer for every Portland comeback attempt.

The Blazers gave Memphis everything they had in the second half, outscoring the Grizzlies 57-45, but it wasn't enough as Memphis dominated Portland 106-96.

The game started out as expected with Portland holding an early 15-11 lead midway through the first quarter. Then what became an insurmountable lead began to take effect as Memphis continued to take it to the rim and get to the line as Portland continued to take jumpers and turn the ball over.

The dreadful quarter was fittingly capped off with Brandon Roy (uncharacteristically unaware of the game clock winding down) failing to get a shot off, followed by a chorus of well-deserved boos from the home crowd.

Memphis ended the quarter on an 18-0 run, holding the Blazers to 28% shooting.

Oh, but they weren't done yet. The Blazers were stuck with 15 points until about the 6:40 mark of the second quarter when Brandon Roy finally hit a jumper to end the long drought. By then the Grizzlies had done too much damage.

Memphis continued to pour it on as they seemingly couldn't miss, racking up 61 first-half points and heading into the locker room with a 22 point first half lead.

The Blazers came out and gradually fought back in the second half but every time Portland seemed to be making a move, Memphis would have an answer.

There was a feeling that although the Blazers were down double-digits for the majority of the game, they would find a way to sneak out a win. They were playing Memphis, after all.

Portland got the lead, which had gotten as high as 29, down to single-digits in the fourth and you had the feeling that they just might do it. But Memphis always had an answer.

It's hard to blame anyone for this loss. Memphis simply came to the Rose Garden and played a great game. The Blazers got worked. Z-Bo always seems to play well when he comes back to town, finishing with a typical 21 point, 9 rebound game.

Marc Gasol played fantastic, finishing with 19, 15, and 5. OJ Mayo had a solid night with 19 points.

The bench played well, as Hasheem Thabeet was terrific in the paint during the fourth quarter and Jamal Tinsley seemed to do whatever he wanted.

Memphis came to the Rose Garden and handed Portland its third home loss of the season, leaving Blazer fans with a sour taste as the team heads down to Salt Lake City for a meeting with the Jazz.

Hearing the boos at home (and deserving them)
Continuing to struggle at the foul line
Not much help from the bench
Roy and Aldridge playing 40+ minutes one night before heading to Utah

Martell gaining confidence
No one got injured

Read more Memphis news on BleacherReport.com

Tennessee-Kentucky Preview: Rich Brooks is Kentucky's Slump Buster

ACC SEC Blog — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:51:05 -0500

Tennessee Volunteers at Kentucky Wildcats
Saturday 7:00PM ET TV: ESPNU

Line: Tennessee -3

The nations longest winning streak is put on the line when the Tennessee Volunteers try to take down the Kentucky Wildcats for a 25th straight time. The Vols have also won 26 straight season finales coming into this game.

But if Kentucky wins, it will not be the first streak they have broken this season. Just last week the Wildcats won at Georgia for the first time since 1977 and earlier this season won for the first time in 43 years at Auburn.

Tennessee bounced back nicely from the debacle in Oxford with a win over Vanderbilt last week. Lane Kiffin's offense has improved as the season has gone on with QB Jonathan Crompton leading the way. But the defense has not been as dominant as it was early on.

Kentucky is not really good or bad in any particular category, but they take care of the ball and don't beat themselves with penalties.

This one is a very close on to call. Tennessee has not played very well on the road this season, but you do have to consider their opponents were Florida, Alabama, and Ole Miss.

I am going to go with the hot hand and Kentucky in this one though. I think Randall Cobb makes enough Dexter McCluster type plays to keep the Wildcats around and they capitalize on a late Vol mistake.

All streaks must come to an end.

Kentucky Wins
Kentucky Covers +3

You can check out this and other articles about the SEC at The ACC & SEC Blog .

Read more Memphis news on BleacherReport.com

Check My Watch: Is Retirement the Final "Answer" for Allen Iverson?

Ross Romano — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:29:53 -0500

Today Allen Iverson announced his retirement from the NBA after 14 terrific seasons. Throughout his career, the generously-listed 6’0” guard has electrified crowds with his unique combination of speed, quickness, scoring ability, and feel for the big moment.

He led the league in scoring four times, in steals three times, won Rookie of the Year in 1996-97, and the MVP award in 2000-01. In addition, he was a 10-time all-star, winning two all-star MVPs, and carried his teams to the playoffs nine times.

Today’s announcement was a step, and maybe not the final step, in what has been a strange saga, beginning last season when Iverson was traded from Denver to Detroit. At the time, it was a surprising trade for both teams, but one looked at with optimism on each side. S

ome were puzzled that Detroit would part with Chauncey Billups, who was the leader on a championship team and a Pistons squad that had reached the Eastern Conference finals in six consecutive seasons. On the other side, many were surprised that the Nuggets would trade away a scorer of Iverson’s caliber so early in the season.

The deal worked out much better for Denver, who thrived under Billups’ leadership and made it to the Western Conference finals before falling to the Lakers. Detroit decided to bring Iverson off the bench, favoring a starting backcourt of Richard Hamilton and second-year man Rodney Stuckey, and idea which A.I. was no fan of.

Just the season before, Iverson had averaged 26.4 points and per game, good for third in the league, and he felt that as an elite veteran player he had earned the right to start over a young player like Stuckey. Making this situation worse was the fact that the entire team slipped and Iverson was unable to showcase his best talents in what was a contract year.

Those problems continued this season and even became worse. Iverson signed with Memphis after being overlooked by the rest of the league. He believed that on a young, struggling team, surely a player of his stature would be a starter and have the opportunity to at least try to bring the team into playoff contention.

Coach Lionel Hollins, however, had other plans, starting Mike Conley over Iverson. A.I.’s one sticking point has always been that he is a starter and will not accept coming off the bench.

The Grizzlies didn’t address this issue and decided to go with it anyway, disregarding the fact that Iverson is a far superior player to Conley. This didn’t sit well with A.I. and he left the team after just three games, never to return.

Over the past week, it was speculated that Iverson may sign with everyone from the Knicks or Bobcats to the Heat or Celtics, but nothing ever materialized. Surprisingly quickly, he seems to have come to the decision that the time has come to hang up his sneakers.

Iverson’s quotes, posted on Stephen A. Smith’s website, are seemingly contradictory to his decision and make it hard to understand why he made this decision, especially why he made it right now. He says he still has the passion for the game and the ability to perform at a high level, which most would consider to be the two requirements for playing in the NBA, so why is he retiring?

It’s so strange because it seems that Iverson, one of the greatest players of his generation, is basically unwanted in the league. While other players like Stephen Jackson and Ron Artest, who have caused twice as many problems in the NBA and have had only half the accomplishments, continue to get chances with more teams, Iverson is sent to a reluctant forced retirement.

While I, along with many others, believe it is only right for Iverson to leave the league on his own terms, knowing he can still play the game, I don’t think it should happen like this.

The Answer, as he is called, came into the league believing he had all the answers, which has worked both to his benefit and detriment. During his time in Philadelphia, he notably clashed with Larry Brown, one of the best coaches in the league.

In the end, however, the two men maintained a mutual respect which led them to achieve greater heights than the talent on the roster would indicate that they should. Brown even called other teams this week, lobbying on Iverson’s behalf, but still nobody wanted to get involved.

Like his team with the 76ers, Iverson reached greater heights than his size should have allowed him to reach. Widely regarded as the greatest player of his size in NBA history, Iverson has scored the sixth-most points per game in league history with a 27.2 average.

He was criticized often for shooting too much, but still averaged 6.2 assists over his career, and 7.3 per game during the years 2003-08, when he developed more of a veteran presence. He led a team that started Eric Snow, George Lynch, and Tyrone Hill to the NBA Finals, where the mighty Kobe and Shaq Lakers were just too much (but not before Iverson single-handedly won game one and almost game two).

Any way you look at it, Iverson is one of the most impressive players to put on an NBA uniform. He has the second-highest playoff scoring average, 29.7 ppg, behind only Michael Jordan. He led the league in minutes per game seven times in his career, even though he was constantly getting thrown to the ground by larger defenders while attacking the hoop.

Along with legends Jordan and Jerry West, he is one of only three players to average at least 25 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals per game in his career, and he surpassed these numbers comfortably (he and West are the only two to average 25, 6, and 2).

Hated by many, but loved by more, Iverson’s jersey was among the league leaders year after year, his personal shoe and apparel line was the most popular outside of Jordan’s, and he was voted an all-star starter nine times by fan voting.

While nobody wants to see Iverson leave the game without a ring, we also don’t want to see him latching on as a bit player on a team that would probably already win a title anyway, as many have done before. That’s just not his style. Iverson was a player who took over the league from the start of his career, captivating viewers, playing harder and tougher than anyone. It would make no sense for him to go out on the bottom.

It’s a difficult thing to accept, but maybe it’s the best thing. It’s hard for fans to part with one of their favorite players so unceremoniously, but A.I. has always done things his own way, by his own rules, so it would be unwise to expect that to change now.

For my part, I still don’t think that we have seen the last of Allen Iverson. He’s too talented a player and has too much passion for his career to end now, when he still has so much to provide to a team. But when he does return, I just hope it’s on his terms and not as another veteran hanger-on. He has too much pride for that.

Read more Memphis news on BleacherReport.com

After a Failed Stint in Memphis, Allen Iverson Retires!

Sachin Arora — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:57:08 -0500

NOTE: THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN SHORTLY BEFORE THE NEWS OF IVERSON RETIRING. IVERSON HAS ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT AND FINALLY PUTS AN END TO HIS GREAT CAREER!

Allen Iverson is a player of many talents and skills. Having the ability to keep a good relationship with a coach isn't one of them. Iverson is a future hall of famer, and probably the best ball handler of all time, but a player has to know when its time to hang it up. Iverson has considered retirement many times, but that hans't seemed to lead into the actual retiring of No 3. Iverson's ego is bigger than his brain, which means he doesn't know when to stop playing. Right now, he should end his career with at least some dignity, because if he keeps up these "I don't get enough minutes—I don't wanna play here" skits then his great career will start to look a lot less great.

A lot of people have written articles on how great the Grizzlies and Iverson were going to do. Well this is the time where the people who didn't believe so get to rub it in all of your faces. Iverson played three games, got angry with his team and left. I don't call that a success.

What most of you don't see is that Iverson is a great player, but he's a selfish player and has certain needs which most teams aren't willing to give to him. For him to be effective he has to have very little support and he has to have the ball in his hands more often than not. When he's surrounded by a more balanced team ie. Detroit, Memphis, then he is an ineffective player. Why do you think he has never won a championship.

Iverson has to make his own decisions in life, but I think most of us would agree that he is out of his prime and should just hang up a great career and save the NBA the headache of him signing with another team. So the next time you see Mr. Iverson, tell him to retire.

Read more Memphis news on BleacherReport.com

Allen Iverson: The Soldier Who Refused Help

The Daily Hurt — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:38:13 -0500

And so it ends for Allen Iverson.

Unwanted and unloved, the answer for Iverson is retirement.

He remains too stubborn for his own good but stubbornness is not a strength—it's a weakness.

At one time or another, everyone of us has had to accept change. Like it or not, it's a part of life.

Those who adapt, learn from it, move on and usually become better people.

Those who don't end eventually up being forgotten and passed over.

After a career of being "the man" and being in spotlight, when it dimmed, he didn't want to step away.

For all his prodigious talent, Iverson wasn't a leader. He was a soldier who didn't know how to bring the best out of his team mates.

His career was always all about him. He didn't know how to share and he looked uncomfortable when he was asked to do it.

Iverson's legacy is one of contradictions.

He was truly a great individual talent. Someone who fought well above his weight. He was tough and uncompromising.

But he would bend to nobody. No player, no team.

Everyone had to accommodate him. Change their game, their style.

It was his refusal to compromise that would prove to be his undoing.

When he was traded to the Pistons last year, it gave him a chance to prove that he winning meant more to him that scoring titles did. For years, he groaned and griped about not having team mates to help him compete for a title.

Finally, he had one in Detroit. For the first time in his career, he would be playing with a group who had won it all together. Maybe that Pistons team together was coming to an end as well, but it was hoped that Iverson would be the injection the Pistons needed.

This would be the ultimate test of Iverson's character.

And he failed it. Miserably.

In Memphis it was the same story this year. He talked a good game but didn't back it up.

He lasted only three games.

It didn't have to end this way for Iverson. It could have been and should have been more.

He's only 34. Still young enough and healthy enough to play for a good few years.

He still has the talent to play at the NBA level.

Unfortunately though, Iverson just doesn't have the smarts to go with it.

He just doesn't understand that no team is going to build around him. He's had his time and now it's over. There are other roles for him now, but he's not interested.

For him, it's all or nothing and the league's teams have spoken: nothing.

Once again, Iverson gets his way.

It's reasonable to think this isn't the last we've seen of Iverson. As injuries mount, teams will surely consider him as the playoffs draw near, especially if they feel that the former MVP and scoring champ can get them over the line.

For now Iverson in the NBA is no more.

twitter.com/LeighEllis

Read more Memphis news on BleacherReport.com

Pivot Points: Allen Iverson Has Decided To Hang Up His Sneakers

Hadarii Jones — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:28:26 -0500

It's official.

At 6:00 p.m. EST, Steven A. Smith of ESPN announced that Allen Iverson has decided to retire and spend more time with his family.

While this seemed like it may have been the next step in the ongoing Iverson saga, I still can't believe it's true.

Apparently Iverson has become disenchanted with the media scrutiny and the mutiny from most fans in basketball and chose to make his stop in Memphis his last one.

So what's next for the legion of Iverson fans who have continuously sung his praises?

Probably a litany of articles claiming the demise of professional basketball, and how things won't be the same without their fallen star.

On the contrary, the game hasn't really missed him and things have been humming along just fine.

I will miss the competitive spirit he brought to the game, and I will miss the passion that made him so special, but I can do without the presumption that his presence enhanced the game of basketball.

When it's all said and done, he will hold a special place in history as one of the best guards ever to play the game, and he will join the ranks of great players never to have won a championship.

Beyond that, the possibility still exists that he could find a team that could use his services come playoff time, but it may be in his best interest to simply fade into NBA lore.

I said that I would never pen another article about Iverson until he signed with a team because everything else was not news. I was wrong, as his retirement will dominate the airwaves for the duration of the Thanksgiving weekend.

I'm sure there are other writers on this site who can wax poetic much more than I am able to about the life and times of Allen Iverson, and they will have the next two weeks to do so.

Read more Memphis news on BleacherReport.com

Memphis Tigers Basketball: Josh Pastner's Team Learning To Scrap for Success

Leroy Watson — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:01:32 -0500

The fall portion of the 2009-‘10 college basketball season has been even more topsy-turvy than normal.

Out West, Oregon State, picked by many to be a serious contender in the PAC-10, lost to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Texas Tech in a three-day period. Idaho surprised Utah, then lost to Texas Southern a few days later. UCLA lost to Cal State Fullerton.

But the most shocking upheavals of the young season are the series of stunning losses by a SEC teams, which most certainly have gotten the attention of Memphis and any other solid program in the South.

The SEC, coming off a down season, was supposed to rebound this fall. The flagship program in the conference revival—Kentucky—has started in less than impressive fashion, however.

First was the 16-point opening night victory over lowly Morehead State. This was followed by a two-point defeat of Miami (Ohio) on a last-second jumper by freshman point guard John Wall, and a 102-92 defeat of mighty Sam Houston State.

All of these games were played at home.

But at least the Wildcats are still undefeated. That’s better than Georgia (defeated by Wofford), Alabama (upset by Ivy League’s Cornell), Auburn (done in by Missouri State) and the big shocker, Mississippi State bowing to Rider.

All of this serves to underscore the point that it’s never a good idea to overlook an opponent, no matter the team’s reputation or where the game is being contested.

“On paper, it’s probably clear as day,” junior post phenomenon Will Coleman comments. “But at the same time, we gotta go into every game like we’re playing the No. 1 team, because if we sleep on a team that’s less talented (than we are), according to statistics or whatever the case may be, we can get upset.”

Head Coach Josh Pastner eschews the idea of games that his team is “supposed” to win.

“I don’t think you can predict that your next game (is one) you’re ‘supposed’ to win,” he says earnestly. “Let me tell you something, we have to scrap to win the game. Everything we will have to do, we will have to earn.

“I told our team, ‘You better stay humble, you better stay grounded, you better keep your ego in check, deflate that ego. Do not be reading your own press clippings. The second you (get a big ego), that’s when you’re taken out.”

The Tigers’ first year front man doesn’t even watch many basketball games on TV anymore, setting aside that time to study film so he can better prepare his own team.

“I’m a basketball fan, but I’ll be honest with you, I really don’t watch that much,” he admits. “I’m a big film-watcher, in terms of our own team. I watch every day’s practice. I watch the tape at night. Obviously, the opponents we’re playing, I watch all their games for preparation.

“Once you’re in season, you really don’t have much time to watch other games, you’re so focused on your own.”

Sophomore reserve guard Preston Laird referred to his team's willingness to scrap during an interview in the locker room after a 92-59 demolition of Tennessee Tech.

“This team right now is gonna have to gain an identity,” Laird said. “The identity we’re going to have is that we’re grinders, we’re scrappy. We’re gonna play hard and get the job done.

“We don’t have the numbers on our front line, so there will be times when we have to go small. But we’re gonna scrap and play hard and get the job done.”

All Pastner really wants is for his own team to improve day-by-day. For an example of a player who has done just that, he points to Will Coleman.

“I think I’ve been very honest from the beginning about Will (Coleman), he’s a super athlete,” Pastner observes. “He’s going to have to keep improving his skillset every time he steps on the floor, and that’s including practice.

“The biggest thing he’s gotta get used to is the speed of the game. And he’s getting better and better every time out. Will Coleman is a blessing to be around, an unbelievable young man. We’re very fortunate to have a student-athlete like that in our program.”

Even with the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays back-to-back, Pastner refuses to focus on anything more than one game, one day at a time.

“I can’t even think that far ahead,” he says honestly. “We’ll see how we play, how we’re doing, where we stand, and I think our schedule will be based on how guys are playing, how they’re feeling and where we are at that time period.”

Given the glaring deficiencies in two critical areas in the 81-49 victory versus Central Arkansas—not winning the battle of the boards (25 apiece) and too many turnovers, many unforced (14)—combined with the fact that there will be two-a-day practices this weekend, it is safe to say that Josh Pastner feels his team still has a lot of work to do.

Read more Memphis news on BleacherReport.com

No, Not Yet: Janzen Jackson's Return Too Soon To Vols

john white — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:42:15 -0500

I was about to say that Lane Kiffin was setting a decent example for diciplinary measures and now Janzen Jackson may very well take the field against Kentucky.

The District Attorney has dropped the charges against Jackson due to insufficient evidence and Kiffin has allowed him to return to participating in team activities saying he felt bad for what Jackson had been through.

The Vols can use him, he was missed in the Ole Miss game that's for sure however I don't think the outcome would have been any different but the scoreboard deficit might have been a few points less.

I think Jackson has superb abilities that could manifest into All-American status and you can visibly see where his contributions are missed each game but by allowing him to play against Kentucky would send the wrong message to future players.

I am not the judge or the jury but there is guilt by association and I have to question whether or not three games of suspension is enough punishment. After all, two players were sent packing for their part in that evening's activities. What about the pot they found?

Yeah, I'm sure it was oregano and it all belonged to the girl; nobody inhaled either. Come on. The pot in itself would have warranted a huge suspension. You can only deny this stuff so many times and I wonder what will happen in the future by setting the bar so low.

That's really the issue here, Tennessee should set the bar a lot higher for the citizenship expectations. I would say the same thing if it was a senior that was one vote from the Heisman, the Vols can't set standards that allow room for error when the University and an entire team and faculty are so publicly scrutinized.

Should Jackson be allowed to return to team activities? Sure, next year when he really regrets being involved with those knuckleheads but not now not while the ink on the arrest report is still wet.

I do feel sorry that Jackson was in the wrong place but he isn't free from wrongdoing, he did climb in the car with those folks and I have to believe he had some idea about the personalities of each person. If he knew there was any chance that there might be a little a smoking he should have never buckled up much less take a ride.

You might say that three games would be enough punishment for what occurred but don't turn a blind eye to the lesser offenses just because the cops let them slide. Lane I really hope you read this because the eyes of Tennessee are upon you.

Read more Memphis news on BleacherReport.com

Colorado-Nebraska: T.I.P.S. for Taking out the “Bugeaters”

Stuart Whitehair — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:34:09 -0500

Colorado has split the last eight games with Nebraska, one of the best runs by the Buffs in the history of the series (18-47-2). Still, the Cornhuskers have won three of the past four, and are coming to Boulder already having punched their ticket to the Big 12 championship game against Texas.

Arguably, Nebraska has nothing to play for Friday, except a ninth win (and a better bowl bid if the Cornhuskers do not earn the automatic BCS bid with an upset of the Longhorns). Still, the Cornhuskers will be looking to cement their status as the “Kings of the Big 12 North”, a title ceded to them by perhaps the weakest division in the BCS.

"Dominant" Nebraska is, in fact, 10 years removed from their 1999 Big 12 championship, and most Cornhusker fans are painfully aware that the program has not gone a calendar decade without a title since the 1950s.

The 2009 Cornhuskers have been far from over-powering, with an offense that has been mediocre for much of the season. Nebraska has utilized a suffocating defense to win its games, and will be looking to shut down a weak Colorado offense.

If the Buffs are to pull off an upset, they must take advantage of every scoring opportunity.

T.I.P.S.

T: Talent

Nebraska junior quarterback Zac Lee has played in every game this season, but has not played every offensive down. Freshman Cody Green has seen action in six games, including three Big 12 games.

After Lee threw three interceptions in a 9-7 home loss to Iowa State, Cody Green was given the start against Baylor, a 20-10 Nebraska victory.

Both quarterbacks played in the Cornhuskers’ next game, a 10-3 win over Oklahoma, with Green sitting out the last two games.

If not for their improving running game, the Cornhuskers would be in trouble offensively, as the passing game is not effective. Junior running back Roy Helu, Jr. has over 1,000 yards rushing, and has averaged over 100 yards per game the last three games—all wins. Shutting down Helu will be the first cause of business for Colorado on Friday.

One constant with the Nebraska offense, as you can see from above scores, is that the Cornhuskers have played a significant number of low-scoring games. The Cornhuskers are averaging 25 ppg over the course of the season, but that total has been inflated by high non-conference point totals against Sun Belt opponents Florida Atlantic (49 points), Arkansas State (38), and Louisiana-Lafayette (55).

In Big 12 play, Nebraska has gotten past three touchdowns on the scoreboard only twice (27 against Missouri; 31 against Kansas). In seven conference games, Nebraska is averaging only 17.4 ppg (the Buffs, with only two Big 12 wins, are averaging 20.5 ppg).

The unit keeping Nebraska from a disappointing season is the defense, ranked in the top 10 nationally in both total defense and scoring defense, led by its two defensive tackles. Senior Ndamukong Suh has gotten all of the publicity (remember when Suh was touted as a Heisman candidate back when Nebraska was 4-1?). Suh is a monster, and will be pitted against the Buffs’ Ryan Miller this weekend.

Despite the stories devoted to Suh, he may not even be the best player on the Cornhuskers’ defensive line. Sophomore defensive tackle Jared Crick has nine sacks, 18th best in the nation. Suh has 6.5 sacks, the same number as Colorado’s Marquez Herrod.

I: Intangibles

The ‘ol “win one for the Gipper” hasn’t worked for Colorado the past two games, so there is little reason to believe that it will work extra magic against Nebraska. The issue of Dan Hawkins’ future is the elephant in the room.

Hawkins this week indicated his regret that Cody had been recruited to Colorado. This is not the talk of a coach whose son will be a senior next fall, especially if the father planned on being around to coach him.

Also, despite this weekend being a potentially big game for hosting potential recruits for the 2010 class, no official visits are planned for this weekend. Read into that what you want about the future of the coaching staff…

This is not to say that the Buffs do not have a great deal to play for. There are a number of seniors (17) who will be putting on the black and gold for the final time. It’s the final game of the season and it’s a home game.

It’s Nebraska.

The Buffs have been pulling out all of the stops, motivation-wise. Former head coach Bill McCartney, and former Buff All-American linebacker Kanavis McGhee addressed the troops. From all indications, McCartney and McGhee made an impression.

“He told us (Nebraska) was a game we had to be ready for,” said running back Rodney Stewart of McCartney’s talk. “It’s our rival. It was one of the best speeches I’ve ever heard.”

Senior defensive tackle Taj Kaynor said, “[McGhee] was just talking about his passion for CU, and what it means to be a Buff, and how our priority is to beat Nebraska. I really connected with him on that, and I feel the same way.”

Passion and adrenaline, though, can only take you so far. Let me take you back to this past weekend:

It was rivalry week in Bozeman, MT. The hated Grizzlies from Missoula were coming in to face the Bobcats. Montana was 10-0, ranked third in the nation. Montana State was 7-3, ranked 23rd. The Grizzlies had already clinched the Big Sky’s automatic bid into the FCS playoffs, but the Bobcats needed a win to earn an at-large berth.

Early on, as is often true in rivalry games, it was a defensive struggle. The score at the end of the first quarter was—I kid you not—2-2. Both defenses forced safeties and neither offense could move the ball. At halftime, Montana lead Montana State 9-5, then opened up the third quarter with a touchdown drive. As good teams do, Montana slowly, methodically, but with a certain degree of inevitability, took control of the game.

The final score was Montana 33, Montana State 19. The Grizzlies are home this weekend for the first round of the FCS playoffs; the Bobcats are just home.

I would very much like to see the Buffs come out this weekend with passion and intensity, and I believe I will. How long the Buffs will be able to sustain that intensity, though, remains to be seen.

P: Preparation

As odd as it may sound, I actually give Colorado the edge in this category against Nebraska. True, Colorado’s 2009 season will come to an end around 5:00 PM on Friday, while Nebraska still has the Big 12 title game and a bowl to look forward to, but I believe that actually works—for this game only—in the Buffs’ favor.

Nebraska’s win over Kansas State last weekend ended the debate over the Big 12 North. The Cornhuskers will be traveling to Dallas next weekend to face Texas. The Longhorns have been dismantling Big 12 competition, averaging 38.3 ppg in conference. In the past four conference games, Texas has put up 41 vs. Missouri, 41 vs. Oklahoma State, 47 vs. Baylor, and 51 vs. Kansas.

Those numbers will get the attention of any defense.

The “Blackshirts,” if they have been given back their moniker, would be forgiven if they were not looking past Colorado to the nationally televised game against the Longhorns. Win the Big 12 North, and the Nebraska name will be restored; get routed, and the Big 12 North slinks home for another long winter.

Fans in Lincoln have been talking up the Texas game—this week.

Colorado and its fans can be hopeful that the Nebraska players are not as prepared for the Buffs as they might otherwise be…

Two other factors in terms of scheduling and preparation favor Colorado. The Buffs played on Thursday night last week, while the Cornhuskers played the de facto Big 12 North title game against Kansas State on Saturday night. The Buffs have had two extra days to prepare for their rival.

Also, with no game next week—or in the next nine months—there is no reason for the Buffs’ players (and coaching staff) to let it all hang out. Trick plays, new formations, motivated players—could be a good formula for the Buffs.

S: Statistics

The numbers that matter against Nebraska start and end with the Cornhuskers’ defense. The worst defensive number for Nebraska is 17—as in the Cornhuskers’ ranking for passing defense.

In the other significant defensive categories—rush defense, scoring defense, and total defense—Nebraska is ranked better than 17th.

For those worried about Tyler Hansen’s health, Nebraska is ranked 14th nationally in sacks, at almost three per game. Colorado, meanwhile, is ranked 117th in the country at giving up sacks.

Obviously the Colorado offense is going to have to produce some big plays against the Nebraska defense. The Buffs will not be able to count on 10-play drives if they hope to be successful.

Are there any positive numbers for Buff fans?

Well, as noted, the Nebraska offense has been far from imposing. The Cornhuskers are in the bottom half nationally in all of the major offensive categories, including passing offense (85th), total offense (82nd), and scoring offense (73rd).

Colorado cannot give up the big play, the cheap touchdown. The Buffs’ defense must keep Nebraska to field goals when the red zone is penetrated, or—better yet—force turnovers. The last team to beat Nebraska, Iowa State, forced eight turnovers (four in the red zone).

Give Colorado eight turnovers against Nebraska this Friday, and I like the Buffs’ chances.

Otherwise, it’s a tough sell.

Read more Memphis news on BleacherReport.com