Is Memphis One of the Best Teams of All Time?
(AP Photo/Matt York)
CDR and company proved to everyone what should have been known all year
I hope you’ve learned your lesson people. Memphis is the real thing. I know they haven’t won it all, but just wanted to get the ball rolling before Monday.
Last night during halftime of the Sixers/Hawks, Anthony Gilbert, David Aldridge and I had a little chat on Memphis beating up the Bruins 78-63. We all were a little surprised the Tigers were able to impose their will so easily on UCLA. They held the trio of Josh Ship, Darren Collison and Kevin Love to 23 total points on 8-29 shooting. It’s funny, but it seems like the media for the most part were swinging on UNC all year while Memphis was able to just go out and do what they were supposed to do without being consistently challenged. This team set a record for wins in a season with 38, so even though the title was rhetorical, is it a valid one? Derrick Rose and Chris Douglas-Roberts combined for 53 points and used their size, skill and heart to show the world why they are the best team in the country. I was a little miffed why this team wasn’t the overall number 1 seed coming into the tournament–they had only one loss–but I guess Psycho-T love prevailed.
You mean he didn’t block the shot?
Now in the convo last night, I compared Tyler Hansbrough to Mark Madsen–a claim Aldridge rightfully disagreed with and quickly stated he’s more skilled than Madsen. I thought it was ironic on the weekend Hansbrough wins POY, they go down to Kansas 84-68. I’ve said–and many of you as well–that Hansbrough was mad overrated. I thought the majority of broadcasters–Billy Packer, Jim Nantz, Dick Vitale, Jay Bilas and others overplayed just how much of a hustler Tyler was, like he was something unique. So what dude hustled, was it really that much of an anomaly?
We also talked about Packer’s ridiculous assessment that Hansbrough was one of the five best players all time in the ACC over the likes of Jordan, Sampson, Bias and the best of them all David Thompson. What will they think of next? I’ll say it ’til the day I’m peace that Michael Beasley was the POY–with CDR a close second.
I sat next to an advance scout who happened to have a stream of both games and I couldn’t believe Carolina was down 31-10 at one point. I didn’t see as much of the UNC/Kansas game so I can’t really comment, but Kansas must be much better than advertised as well. I spoke with Atlanta Hawks forward and former Tar Heel Marvin Williams after the game and he was a little shocked his former squad was down by so much a the half. I’m asking anyone who saw the game if Kansas used a size advantage in the front court or was it more of a back court domination?
Now I picked Georgetown, but since Roy Hibbert was seemingly whistled for 2 fouls in the locker room game in and game out, it makes sense Memphis is about to put a cap on on of the greatest runs in NCAA history.
Again, the pundits got ya hoodwinked and now ya Carolina blue.
What did they say about free throws?
Is it me or does it seem like this team was hated all year?
Memphis/UCLA
Kansas/UNC
____________
AXG was getting on me all night joking how hardcore I’ve been lately and DA said something really important. He correctly stated we as Blacks are not monolithic. We do not have one voice and we should be allowed to disagree with each other. He appreciated all of the cats coming up who write with their true voice in this day an age of sitting on your hands in front of the keyboard–with your mouth taped–to spite your mind. It was nice to get some well needed wisdom from such a humble sports reporting and writing legend.
Oh, DA like I said last night, you are the past, present and future. Like Anthony Gilbert pointedly said, thanks for being the light for us all. Your basketball mind is incredible and we were honored you kicked it with us for one of those moments we’ll all look back on when the time is appropriate. I think I can speak for AXG and say thanks from the both of us.
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April 6th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
How can you justify CDR over Hansbrough for POY other than him being black that is.
April 6th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Because he is African AND BETTER fool!
April 6th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Rob Hansbrough received 56 of 72 votes for POY. Do you absolutely believe he was head and shoulders over every player in the country?
Well if he was that dominant, then why is he home now?
You hear no criticism of Kevin Love here.
My argument has nothing to do with color. It’s more of the how the media slobbers of TH. It’s about context. He seems like a good kid.
April 6th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Sankofa,
You are too funny man.
This MI fan is glad to see NC get their ass kicked!
April 6th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Michelle
I think a lot of people were happy to see thm loose, just to stop the everlasting love-fest these anouncers were engaging in.
And how did psycho-T play again?
April 6th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Sankofa,
I agree. As usual the media was out of control on this one.
April 6th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Just for the record,I went for Beasely to win it,but Hansbrough was an obvious second.
And Hansbrough had a pretty good tournament,Calipari did a great job of creating a false sense of underdog about Memphis.
April 7th, 2008 at 1:22 am
Rob how was it obvious? What’s obvious is that Memphis is the best team in this tournament, but the media didn’t tell ya so did it? Tyler Hansbrough is not the POY. It was definitely Beasley and I stick by CDR being next.
April 7th, 2008 at 3:07 am
umm… Mizz. Let us not crown Memphis yet.
Kansas is standing there with a literal phalanx of guys waiting for Memphis. And perhaps the best thing you can say about Tyler Hansborough is this….. Kid isn’t a jerk like Laettner about the thing. I think, if you got him alone, he’d probably tell you he’s not the POY and CDR or Beasley is.
And one more thing: If i had a kid, and he was at an age where college basketball scholarships were a priority, there aren’t too many guys I’d want coaching him before the name Ben Howland or Roy Williams come up.
April 7th, 2008 at 9:34 am
Okori like I said in the post, the question is rhetorical. This has nothing to do with TH being a jerk. I never said he was or that Howland or Williams were bad coaches. I’m merely stating that TH was hyped up this year because most wanted to give him POY last year. UNC was this consensus overall number one even though their conference was not as good as reported. I know Memphis played in CUSA, but one loss is one loss.
No way was he going to lose to a freshman again.
If you want to crown them, then crown their ass….but we let them off the hook!
I really can’t envision a scenario where Memphis isn’t the champ besides Kansas’ size. They have at least 4 bodies to throw at Dorsey, but as we all know, his job is not to score but to control the boards. I can’t quite understand why this team wasn’t more hyped given their talent, speed, athleticism and heart.
April 7th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Well since I’, out of my offiice pool now I guess it’s ok to actually enjoy one of these games. I’m curious to see which team reaches 80 points first. Memphis is a long team which is how Calipari likes ‘em, I think when it comes to guarding the perimeter the edge goes to Memphis and Kansas has no answer for Derrick Rose.
Memphis could have three lottery picks in the upcoming draft.
(Rose, CDL, Dorsey)
April 7th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Doesn’t Memphis have to win tonight before we crown them so high? Just because North Carolina lost doesn’t mean Hansbrough is “mad overrated.” It is only one game and the team lost — he didn’t. He looked great in the round of 8 — one great clutch play after another (perhaps you missed that game). Derrick Rose will be the better pro, but that doesn’t necessarily make him the better college player. By the way, to vote for the college player of the year and the NBA MVP award (Kobe is getting my vote), just go to my new and improved site, UltimateSportsRankings.com.
April 7th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Memphis is not one of the best teams of all time. They are one of the best teams in this new era of college bball when everyone leaves prematurely, and no college teams is able to maintain any semblance of continuity.
April 7th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Oh yeah, I don’t think they’re one of the Greatest Teams of All-Time. Would they have beaten either one of Florida’s teams which is one of the better defensive title teams in recent memory. They weren’t as deep as Florida, I think they take away the middle and force Memphis to win from the outside. Offensively, they do after Dorsey with Hortford and Noah. CDL vs. Corey Brewer is a dream matchup.
April 7th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
I think Memphis (if they win) had one of the great seasons of all-time, but their C-USA affiliation knocks them down to like the lower-half of the top 10.
April 7th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
I’ve said this many times to anyone who will listen. The reason Memphis gets no love, is look at the faces on the team. None of them that I’ve seen look like Vitale’s, Bilas’s, or Packer’s. The pundits can’t even fathom what it’s like to be so gifted and athletic. When they look at Hansborough, or even Kevin Love, they look at players who they could familiarize with.
April 7th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Couldn’t agree more Kos couldn’t agree more.
April 7th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Like the piece I’m working on..
They See Their Sons
April 7th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Getting those tough questions out there —
It seems like Psycho T remains a lightning rod for controversy. He’s good - he’s simply not an overwhelming choice for anything other than ACC Player of the Year. The award is ultimately rather unimportant. If Michael Beasley wanted to win it as a freshman, he only needed to go to another school. If the nation had seen his performances against Kansas, the award would have been delivered to his door months ago.
TBR:
I think Brewer shuts CDR’s water off. Just my opinion.
Finally, I wouldn’t rank Memphis tops all-time because the conference schedule is simply too weak. Historical legacy is about the conditions in which you prevail as much as your performance. While the performance has been superb, the context has been mediocre. This team was not challenged on most nights - they didn’t face physical teams that know them intimately two or three times each week. Even outstanding performances in the tournament may not be as grueling as facing Pitt, Marquette and Louisville in the span of 10 days. Most of the greatest teams have had to do something like that to earn that level of respect.
Also, I don’t know that CDR is a world-class player. Rose definitely is. He’s the only one I’m sure of. There have been many other teams with several phenomenal players - there have even been teams that lost in the final (which Memphis could do tonite) that were blessed with phenomenal talent. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a more talented team than the Syracuse squad with Derrick Coleman, Sherman Douglas, Billy Owens, and Stevie Thompson. And they still had trouble with G’town and 6′4″ Perry McDonald!
I’d say the exception that supports a case for Memphis is UNLV. Memphis has to win it all.
April 7th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Ah, Perry McDonald - golden gloves boxer, Jerome Lane can attest to that.
That Syracuse team was one of the most talented. Stevie Thompson - ‘42 vertical only the lack of a jump shot kept him out of the League. Billy Owens remains one of my favorites.
Temple - How about that Illi team of Nick Anderson, Kendall Gill and Kenny Battle?
April 7th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
TBR!!!!
Bingo…That Illinois team was the BOMB! It also featured Lowell Hamilton, Steven Bardo and Marcus Liberty. Liberty was a super frosh who was supposed to set the world on fire. It didn’t happen. He was one guy who should have stayed in school. They needed a stronger personality than “Lou-Doo” Henson. If Izzo or Big John or Knight had that team, they’d have been undefeated for ever.
Kendall Gill was their defensive stopper at the 2. Do you remember when Illinois played LSU? Chris Jackson lit that ass UP!
The Michigan-Illinois game in the Final Four was one of the best of all time. Michigan had a ton of talent (mostly underachievers - Terry Mills, Shawn Higgins) plus Rumeal Robinson, Loy Vaught and Glen Rice. Even Demetrius Calip used to put it down.
You’re in the “way back” machine.
April 7th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
I live in the “Way-Back” bruh, I was tryin to name some of those other players how could I forget Liberty, he had a baby face w/the box cut. Yeah C.J. put the flames to Gill’s tail.
Who had worse hair. Lou Henson or Gene Keady (Purdue)?
April 7th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Alot of people slept on that 1989 Seton Hall runner up squad. Terry Dehere, Andrew Gaze was a sniper from Austrailia, Anthony Avent and Ramone Ramos, they were tough.
April 7th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Jonathan Morton!!!!
April 7th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Yup, I knew I was forgetting someone.They beat UNLV in the regionals Anderson Hunt hit the game winner who beat Arizona it was Sean Elliot’s last game
April 7th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Morton was the man on that team. Dehere, if I recall correctly, was still only a freshman. Gaze was solid - but Morton was the guy. I think he had 25 in the final…Was Mark Bryant still at SHU for that game against Michigan?
April 7th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
BTW,
Even though neither of them won the championship, I’d take the 1983 Louisville Cardinals and Houston Cougars over most teams on this list.
August 17th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Memphis is one of the best teams of all time they got the best coach in the NCAA and went all the way only to lose the Championship which was dumb. With Rose and CD-R you can’t lose.