Memphis Tigers Thread

[La Bomba]

NCAA to release report in 4 to 6 weeks

 

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The University of Memphis has made its case for leniency in the NCAA's punishment of the men's basketball program.

 

Now the school must wait to see whether it worked.

 

The NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee heard Memphis' argument Friday in a closed hearing in Indianapolis. Memphis President R.C. Johnson refused to comment after the hearing, and the NCAA will not comment until the report is released in 4 to 6 weeks.

 

Memphis argued in papers filed with the NCAA that the school was improperly held responsible for an ineligible player despite the NCAA's clearinghouse checking his eligibility twice.

 

At stake is the 38 wins from the 2007-08 season that ended with an overtime loss to Kansas in the national title game.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4870252

[La Bomba]

Tigers' Angel Garcia cleared to practice; game appearance uncertain

 

Angel Garcia, a 6-11 sophomore who tore his ACL last Sept. 10, was cleared to practice today with the University of Memphis basketball team.

 

Garcia will be limited initially in his activity, coach Josh Pastner said, but has been cleared to participate in live contact drills. How quickly he plays in a game will be determined by how the knee responds in practice.

 

After sitting out last season as an academic non-qualifier, Garcia chose the most aggressive rehab plan possible in an attempt to get on the court this year. Recovery from an ACL tear typically takes eight months at minimum and often is a year-long process.

 

Pastner said the native of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico won't play if he is not in a position to help the team.

 

Memphis (15-6, 5-2 Conferene USA) plays UAB on Wednesday at FedExForum.

 

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/feb/01/tigers-angel-garcia-cleared-practice-game-appearan/

[La Bomba]

Finally get a quality win. UAB was going to be ranked this week if they hadn't lost to us.

 

Wesley Witherspoon has been coming out this year. Does so many things well.

 

Elliot Williams with another good game.

 

I hope this is Will Coleman's breakout game. 4 points, 9 rebounds, 7 blocks.

 

I'm counting the days in till next season.

[La Bomba]

Memphis’ Shawn Taggert Now In Spain

 

Memphis’ Shawn Taggart – who left Memphis after last season to turn pro early – is seeing more of Europe than he might’ve bargained for. After just ten games with Israel’s Ironi Nahariya, Taggart will fly to Spain and start with Caceres 2016 of Spain’s second tier basketball league. He was averaging 14.6 points and 6.9 rebounds a game before the move. Division I basketball seems a little more glamorous than second-tier Spanish basketball now.

 

http://www.lostlettermen.com/2010/01/in-the-news-memphis-shawn-taggert-now-in-spain/

[La Bomba]

Memphis Tigers say Pierre Henderson-Niles no longer on team

 

With eight games left in the regular season, the University of Memphis announced Monday night that senior forward Pierre Henderson-Niles is no longer part of its basketball program.

 

“Moving forward, we will do all we can for Pierre as he finishes up the academic work toward completing his degree,” coach Josh Pastner said in a University release. “We wish Pierre nothing but the best.”

 

Reached by phone, Pastner declined further comment, referring back to his written statement.

 

A source with knowledge of the situation said the decision to leave the team was mutual between Pastner and Henderson-Niles and was not related to any specific situation or legal problem.

 

Henderson-Niles averaged 5.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game this season and had started the majority of Memphis’ games at the center position. The former Ridgeway High standout barely played his first three years under John Calipari as he struggled to control his weight. He lost roughly 50 pounds this past offseason in an attempt to contribute as a senior but gained much of it back by the start of Conference USA play.

 

Memphis kept Henderson-Niles in the starting lineup in an attempt to keep him motivated, but his playing time had dipped to an average of 14 minutes in the Tigers’ last four games. Junior forward Will Coleman played most of the second half last Saturday against Gonzaga. According to a source, Henderson-Niles refused to get off the bench and participate in a team huddle during a timeout late in the game.

 

With Henderson-Niles no longer on the roster, forward Angel Garcia could see a quick increase in his minutes. Garcia, a 6-11 sophomore, made his career debut on Saturday after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament tear in his right knee. Though he only played four minutes Saturday, the Tigers planned to increase his playing time this week.

 

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/feb/08/memphis-tigers-dismiss-pierre-henderson-niles-team/

 

Can't really be mad at him. He wasn't going to the NBA, so his education always comes first. If he's behind in his grades then there is nothing wrong with leaving 8 games before the end of the season anyway. I wish him nothing but the best.

[La Bomba]

Wesley Witherspoon has been playing out of his mind as of late. Once he bulks up, he'll be a good NBA prospect.

[La Bomba]

Couldn't be more excited for next season. So many ways our lineup could go.

 

PG: Joe Jackson

SG: Elliot Williams

SF: Will Barton

PF: Wesley Witherspoon

C: Will Coleman

 

PG: Joe Jackson

SG: Elliot Williams

SF: Will Barton

PF: Wesley Witherspoon

C: Angel Garcia

 

PG: Joe Jackson

SG: Elliot Williams

SF: Will Barton

PF: Will Coleman

C: Angel Garcia

 

From what I've heard, Kendrick is a huge prospect and he'll be the sixth man. We'll still have Spoon/Garcia, Sallie, Black, and Chris Crawford coming off the bench. This team is absolutely loaded at guard.

 

And the best thing about all this is the only freshman who is a threat to go to the NBA as a one and done is Will Barton. Jackson is too small to leave his freshman year and Kendrick is still a project.

 

Really wouldn't be surprised if we have an Elite 8 appearance this year.

Edited April 11, 2010 by Sublime

[Flash]

The X factor for you guys is Elliot Williams IMO. He needs to develop that right hand because defenses are going to key in on his tendencies and take away that left hand all season long. He's your best player if you ask me but that right hand is a huge issue.

[La Bomba]

I think Williams will be much more relaxed this season if he stays. He's not supposed to be 20 PPG scorer and he nearly was this year. Most of the offense laid on his shoulders. This year he'll probably looked to as the lockdown defensive player and the first option, but I think he'll only average around 15 PPG. He's going to see much more balance on offense this year.

 

The X factor for you guys is Elliot Williams IMO. He needs to develop that right hand because defenses are going to key in on his tendencies and take away that left hand all season long. He's your best player if you ask me but that right hand is a huge issue.

That's what started happening at the end of the year. Defenses started figuring him out and he became extremely inconsistent.

[La Bomba]

Head coach Josh Pastner has hinted at the possibility of another big-man joining the squad for weeks now. Most recently, at a Tigers Athletic’s Luncheon, Pastner stated that they are keeping their options open, including transfers from other programs. In the majority of cases, a transfer player would have to sit out his first year (2010-2011 in this case), beginning eligibility the second season at the new university (2011-2012). Theoretically, bringing in a frontline transfer solves two problems. It provides an extra player to go up against the eligible big-men in practice while also filling a need in the 2011 recruiting class. Does this mean this is the set route that will be taken? No.

 

Although a transfer is a strong possibility, the Memphis staff will continue to evaluate members of the 2010 high school, prep, and junior college crop. Coaching changes have happened at an alarming rate this offseason and, as a result, so have decommitments. One example of this is 6′7″ power forward Marcus Thornton out of Westlake High School in Atlanta, Georgia. Thornton recently decommited from Clemson after head coach Oliver Purnell jumped ship for the vacant gig at DePaul.

 

By using Thornton as an example, the implication is not that Memphis will get a commitment from the Georgia forward. He is simply an example of the type of player who will become available for evaluation by the Memphis staff. Pastner and staff will evaluate the options available, taking only one player they feel like fits the needs of this Memphis squad best, whether that be a high school, prep, JUCO, or transfer player.

 

http://memphisroar.com/2010/04/with-williams-gone-whats-next-for-the-tigers/