Spring Break
Can men's hoops pull off the upset of the year?
Mustangs will attempt to hand Tigers their first conference loss of the season
Zack Wehner, Sports Editor, zwehner@smu.edu
Issue date: 3/5/08 Section: Sports
In Memphis' first 25 games, the team looked nearly unstoppable and on its way to an undefeated regular season. However, close games against UAB and Southern Mississippi, and a loss to Tennessee have taken away the Tigers' appearance of invincibility.
If the Mustangs want to beat the Tigers on senior day, it will take a perfect game. This will have to start with SMU limiting the impact of the Tigers' two leading scorers: Chris Douglas-Roberts and Derrick Rose.
Douglas-Roberts is averaging 17.6 points per game, while Rose is averaging 14.2. If these two players are able to get going early, it will be tough for the Mustangs to rebound. Derrick Roberts will likely be charged with guarding the 6-7 Douglas-Roberts since he has drawn tough defensive assignments all season on players who play in similar positions.
Another task for the Mustangs on the interior will be to box out Joey Dorsey. Dorsey is averaging 10 rebounds per game and pulls down three offensive rebounds per game. Freshman Papa Dia and junior Bamba Fall have to stop him from giving the Tigers second chance scoring opportunities.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Mustangs will have to use all elements of their balanced scoring attack. SMU has four players (Killen, Fall, Roberts and Dia) averaging in double figures. If the Mustangs can work the ball successfully into the post, while shooting at a good percentage from behind the arc, they can expect to score more than 18 points in the first half.
In the last game against Memphis, the Tigers effectively took away the Mustangs' perimeter game in the first half.
Tonight's game agaisnst Memphis is a whiteout. Fans are wearing white shirts to support theMustangs in their final home game.
The game will take place tonight at 7 at Moody Coliseum. It will be televised on CSTV.
If the Mustangs want to beat the Tigers on senior day, it will take a perfect game. This will have to start with SMU limiting the impact of the Tigers' two leading scorers: Chris Douglas-Roberts and Derrick Rose.
Douglas-Roberts is averaging 17.6 points per game, while Rose is averaging 14.2. If these two players are able to get going early, it will be tough for the Mustangs to rebound. Derrick Roberts will likely be charged with guarding the 6-7 Douglas-Roberts since he has drawn tough defensive assignments all season on players who play in similar positions.
Another task for the Mustangs on the interior will be to box out Joey Dorsey. Dorsey is averaging 10 rebounds per game and pulls down three offensive rebounds per game. Freshman Papa Dia and junior Bamba Fall have to stop him from giving the Tigers second chance scoring opportunities.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Mustangs will have to use all elements of their balanced scoring attack. SMU has four players (Killen, Fall, Roberts and Dia) averaging in double figures. If the Mustangs can work the ball successfully into the post, while shooting at a good percentage from behind the arc, they can expect to score more than 18 points in the first half.
In the last game against Memphis, the Tigers effectively took away the Mustangs' perimeter game in the first half.
Tonight's game agaisnst Memphis is a whiteout. Fans are wearing white shirts to support theMustangs in their final home game.
The game will take place tonight at 7 at Moody Coliseum. It will be televised on CSTV.
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