Sports
Fired-up Tigers fizzle against Louisville
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17 Dec 2012
- Written by J.R. Moorhead, Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Rivalry games always bring the best out of teams. Rankings mean little to nothing when familiar foes take the court. And when No. 6-ranked Louisville flew into the Bluff City this past Saturday (Dec. 15), the Cardinals had to expect the unranked Memphis Tigers' best effort.
The Tigers-Cardinals rivalry dates back to before the 1960's and the two schools renewed their intense competitions last year. Memphis traveled to Kentucky last year, so the Cardinals had to come to the FedExForum this season.
When all the yelling, screaming and groaning was done, Louisville had prevailed 87 to 78. If there was any doubt that this match-up had retained its intensity, the over 18,000 fans that showed up for the game made it clear that these two teams still have a healthy disdain for each other.
Right from the tip-off, the FedExForum was rocking and it was obvious that the Tigers were feeling the energy in the arena. The Tigers ran out to a 25- 9 lead in the first 10 minutes of the game and looked the best they have all year.
The Cardinals would rally slightly, due to a heavy amount of fouls committed by Memphis (on some questionable calls). Yet, the Tigers would still take a 35-28 lead into half time.
Memphis roared into the second half with the same fervor and expanded its lead to ten points. Then in a period of about 90 seconds, Louisville converted back-to-back-to-back three pointers and the Tigers' double-digit lead had vaporized.
With about 10 minutes remaining in the game, the Cardinals took their first lead game since the first couple minutes of the first half. Memphis never got it back.
The last three minutes were highly unexciting as the Tigers were forced to foul every possession and hope that Louisville didn't sink their free throws. Louisville didn't cooperate.
The Cardinals improved to 9-1 and the Tigers fell to 6-3 on the year. Although Memphis looked as impressive as the team has in any game this season, Louisville was just a little too much for coach Josh Pastner and his Tigers to handle.
Under Pastner, Memphis has yet to defeat a top-25 team. And unfortunately, this might have been the last chance for Pastner to reach that milestone during the Tigers' regular season schedule.
And the bad news doesn't stop there. Over the weekend, the seven catholic basketball-only schools (Georgetown, Marquette, St. John's, Villanova, DePaul, Providence and Seton Hall) in the Big East have voted to leave the conference.
The Tigers, however, aren't worried about conference realignment.
"The next game is always the most important" said Pastner.
Memphis will host David Lipscomb on Thursday (Dec. 20). This shouldn't be a tough test for the Tigers. The real story will be whether Memphis can replicate the energy it brought into the Louisville game after such a devastating loss. Or will the Tigers struggle and play down to their opponents.
Photos: Adonis Thomas of the Memphis Tigers battles Montrezl Harrell (left) of Louisville and Zach Price for a loose ball. (Photo by Warren Roseborough)
Former Tigers star (and NBA stalwart) Penny Hardaway (center) and other fans flashed looks of disappointment as Memphis' lead slipped away. (Photo by Warren Roseborough)
Grizzlies fall to Hawks and multiple factors
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13 Dec 2012
- Written by Kelley Evans
It's safe to say that it was not the general consensus that the Memphis Grizzlies (14-4) would go the rest of the 82-game season without losing another game.
Saturday (Dec. 8) proved that the early season is still early, and that the Grizzlies are going to have times when they just fall short.
Loss to Illinois is fourth straight for U of M women
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13 Dec 2012
- Written by Kelley Evans
The University of Memphis women's basketball team (3-5) has been looking for a win after starting the season off strong.
Sunday (Dec. 9) was not the day.
The Tigers fell to Illinois (5-4) 73-65 at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse. Though the final points and the stat of four straight losses may not show it, the team has shown some improvement since losing two key players to injuries.
Tracking the Tigers
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12 Dec 2012
- Written by J. R. Moorhead
The True Blue Nation of the University of Memphis got what it came for as the Tigers' dominated the Austin Peay Governors on the way to the U of M's 150th victory since play began at the FedExForum.
Over 15,000 fans gathered last Saturday as the Tigers took on the in-state opponent Austin Peay.
Still mocking Serena?
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11 Dec 2012
- Written by Tri-State Defender Newsroom
Well, this was awkward.
At a recent exhibition match in Sao Paulo, 22-year-old Caroline Wozniack stuffed her tennis outfit with padding in what many are interpreting as an imitation of Serena Williams' body, and "made many in the audience laugh as she swung her tennis racket while displaying her fake assets," News One reports.
Titans tap ‘Coach of the Year’
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07 Dec 2012
- Written by Tri-State Defender Newsroom
The Tennessee Titans have named Rodney Saulsberry, head football coach of Whitehaven High School, the 2012 Titans High School Football Coach of the Year.
In a rematch of last year's state final, the Whitehaven Tigers defeated the Maryville Rebels 36-35, ending the Rebels' 43-game win streak and capturing their first-ever state championship.
Tigers adjusting to weight of heavy basketball ‘crown’
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06 Dec 2012
- Written by J. R. Moorhead
Basketball is "King" in the city of Memphis. And heavy lies the crown.
When the undefeated University of Memphis Tigers (2-0) headed to the Bahamas to compete in the Battle 4 Atlantis during the Thanksgiving holiday, not only were the hopes high, so were the expectations.
Friday Fights!: An idea with punch
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06 Dec 2012
- Written by Bernal E. Smith II
Friday night (Nov. 30) was a great night for boxing fans in Memphis!
The return of Friday Fights to the city came with a great card of boxing matches flush with all the requisite elements of big time boxing – beautiful ring girls (local models), a dynamic announcer (Leon Gray), a raucous crowd and celebrities (local and national). And all at a phenomenal under-appreciated venue!
The Zach Randolph Show
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05 Dec 2012
- Written by Kelley Evans
It was Z-bo night at the FedExForum on Tuesday.
Literally.
It really was.
The crowd was proof and so was his finish.
Randolph led all scorers and tallied a season-high 38 points and 22 rebounds. He emerged in the fourth quarter and dominated the game in overtime during which Memphis outscored the Suns 14 to 4.
Perfect ending for Whitehaven
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03 Dec 2012
- Written by Deidra Shores
The Rebels of Maryville High School were on the doorstep of their third consecutive TSSAA state title in Division 1, 6A going into Saturday night's championship game against the Whitehaven High Tigers at Tennessee Tech University's Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn.
In a rematch of the 2011 championship game, Whitehaven closed the door on Maryville's title hopes, emerging with a 36-35 overtime victory – the cap to a perfect 15-0 season.
Record-breaking $5.7 million raised St. Jude Memphis Marathon
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03 Dec 2012
- Written by Tri-State Defender Newsroom
A record 18,500 people registered for the St. Jude Memphis Marathon held on Saturday, Dec. 1. The event surpassed its fundraising goal of $5 million, with a record $5.7 million raised to support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
St. Jude is the sole charity of the event and one of the world's premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other deadly childhood diseases.
New KIPP Memphis football program is next challenge for ‘Undefeated’ star
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03 Dec 2012
- Written by Tri-State Defender Newsroom
Bill Courtney, star of the Academy Award winning documentary "Undefeated" and former head football coach of Manassas High School, announced on MemphiSport Live (MSL) Saturday (Dec. 1) that he is returning to coach high school football in North Memphis.
Courtney has agreed to take his coaching talents to charter school KIPP Memphis for their first year of varsity football.
Grizz stay atop NBA with back-to-back-to-back wins
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30 Nov 2012
- Written by Kelley Evans
It's post-Thanksgiving in the sports world and with one game left in November, the Memphis Grizzlies have the NBA's best record (11-2) after back-to-back-to-back home wins against the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors.
The trifecta came Wednesday (Nov. 28) night with a 103-82 drubbing of Toronto. And with Detroit's lowly pistons at the FedExForum on Friday, the Grizz have a good shot to take their winning roll into December.
