Last December, coach John Calipari brought his then 16th-ranked Memphis Tigers to Knoxville for a cross-state rivalry matchup with Bruce Pearl's unranked Vols.
Behind Chris Lofton's career-high 34 points, Tennessee ran away from the Tigers early and finished with a decisive 76–58 victory. By the end of the night the often boisterous Calipari was left speechless and Tigers' junior forward Joey Dorsey had responded to his dismal 2-point scoring night with one of his trademark meltdowns, at expense of a few innocent Tennessee fans.
Since then the Tigers have lost only two games, one against then ninth-ranked Arizona and the other in last year's final four to Ohio State. That's two losses in 15 months, not to mention a 25–0 start to the 2007–08 season and the top ranking in college basketball, which has belonged to the Tigers for weeks.
This season they added freshman phenom Derrick Rose to the mix, effectively giving the Tigers an NBA-ready point guard on a one year lease to help bring a championship to Memphis.
The Vols during that same span have made a trip to the sweet sixteen, added an NBA caliber player of their own in Tyler Smith, haven't lost a home game, and have earned the highest national ranking of any basketball team in UT history.
All this boils down to Saturday night's primetime #1 vs. #2 matchup, which features not only Tennessee's top two teams, but America's top two teams.
All this boils down to Saturday night's primetime #1 vs. #2 matchup, which features not only Tennessee's top two teams, but America's top two teams.
It is easily the biggest men's basketball game ever played in the state of Tennessee, and the Super Bowl-like ticket prices are proof.
A decent seat in FedEx Forum on Saturday night is going for about $500, a really good one for about $1000, and a courtside ticket costs upwards of $10,000. Tennesseans have fallen in love with basketball and for good reason; there is no better college basketball being played anywhere in the world right now.
As the state of Tenessee takes center stage in the college basketball universe here are 5 things to watch for as Bruce Pearl's Vols look to win the state-title game this weekend, and become the first Tennessee men's basketball team to be ranked 1st in the nation.
- 5. Chris Douglas-Roberts vs. JaJuan Smith
The Tigers' offense flows through CDR. In their three major non-conference wins over Georgetown, Connecticut and Arizona Douglas-Roberts averaged almost 25 points per game. The Vols' top defender JaJuan Smith will most likely be matched up with him for the better part of the night, and if he can frustrate him early Memphis will be forced out of sync.
Smith has the ability to match Douglas-Roberts point for point on the offensive end, and if he does he can offset the Tigers' top weapon. On the other hand, if CDR gets loose like he often does the Tigers will be hard to tame.
- 4. Avoid the "Tennessee drought."
If you've watched the Tennessee basketball at all this season, then you've noticed that aggravating four-seven minute span in the second half when the Vols doze off and allow the other team to go on a 10–0 run. Any lapse on offense could spell disaster for the Vols, who will be subject to the Tigers' significant home court advantage at FedEx Forum. This translates to good possessions in the half court game and limiting turnovers by taking care of the basketball in transition.Four-to-seven minutes is all this Memphis squad needs to turn a close game into a blowout.
- 3. Rebound, Rebound, Rebound…
Joey Dorsey and Robert Dozier combine to average 18 rebounds a game, and before fouling out of last year's game Dorsey pulled down 13 rebounds in just 15 minutes. Wayne Chism and Tyler Smith will need some rebounding help from all three of the Vols guards in order to keep up with the Tigers on the glass.
Dorsey is the Dennis Rodman of college basketball, and leaving him unaccounted for on the offensive glass could kill the Vols chances at pulling the upset by giving the Tigers more opportunities to run their high-powered "Princeton on steroids" offense. Don't be surprised if Pearl uses Duke Crews in favor of Chism at times to match Dorsey's intensity.
- 2. "Threes and Frees"
Earlier this week Calipari told Tony Kornheiser on ESPN's Pardon the Interuption , " I don't really worry about free throw shooting" when questioned about his teams free throw shooting woes. Judging by his comments it's not surprising that his team is the worst free throw shooting teams of the 341 teams that participate in Division I basketball, averaging 58% as a team from the stripe.
Douglas-Roberts and Rose, the Tigers two best players and top scorers, average below 70% from the free throw stripe whereas Lofton and JaJuan Smith average 86% and 76%, respectively.
Vols fans should be encouraged by Wayne Chism's struggles at the free throw line in comparison to Memphis big man Joey Dorsey. At least Chism knocks down exactly half of his attempts from the charity stripe; Dorsey only makes one-third of his attempts.
The Tigers' shooting concerns extend to the three point line, where as a team they shoot only 33% and Douglas Roberts is there only proven long range threat. The Vols will look to prevent penetration and force Memphis to shoot from long range as much as possible.
- 1. Will Chris Lofton take over?
In a game that could feature as many as four first round picks in next year's NBA Draft, Chris Lofton will still be the best college basketball player on the court. Last year Lofton took over the game against Memphis from the beginning and the Tigers had no answer. It could happen again.
Throughout his college career Lofton has thrived making big shots in big games. He's the same player and same shooter he's always been, but the supporting cast around him carries a greater part of the load this season. Don't make the mistake of thinking Lofton is not the Vols' x-factor anymore, the senior sharpshooter still has the ability to take over a game.
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