bandwagon? Please.Being a lifelong Memphian, and a member of a family
where 3/4 members attended the University, my spot on the bandwagon has been reserved since my childhood. True Memphis Tigers fans know names like Win Wilfong, Baskerville Holmes, Keith Lee (the greatest Tiger ever, pictured in black and white),John Mclaughlin, Billy Smith, Cheyenne Gibson, and Elliot Perry in the late 80s, Ben Spiva, Penny Hardaway (pictured), David Vaughn, Chris Garner, Michael "Quarters on top of the Backboard" Wilson, Rodney Newsome, and Justin Wimmer of the early and mid-90's, Tic "Tac Hoe" Price
(pictured) and both his taste for 20 year old female students and his no name players that included Kelly Wise, and God knows who else, and now the current run to greatness with names like CDR, Dorsey, Rose, Anderson, and co. The Pope has been there and been a fan.
where 3/4 members attended the University, my spot on the bandwagon has been reserved since my childhood. True Memphis Tigers fans know names like Win Wilfong, Baskerville Holmes, Keith Lee (the greatest Tiger ever, pictured in black and white),John Mclaughlin, Billy Smith, Cheyenne Gibson, and Elliot Perry in the late 80s, Ben Spiva, Penny Hardaway (pictured), David Vaughn, Chris Garner, Michael "Quarters on top of the Backboard" Wilson, Rodney Newsome, and Justin Wimmer of the early and mid-90's, Tic "Tac Hoe" Price (pictured) and both his taste for 20 year old female students and his no name players that included Kelly Wise, and God knows who else, and now the current run to greatness with names like CDR, Dorsey, Rose, Anderson, and co. The Pope has been there and been a fan.Now with the Tigers advancing to the school's 3rd ever Final Four, the Tigers' basketball 
tradition is being put in the national spotlight. Unfortunately, the Tigers are considered the "Clampett's" that have been invited to a party of royal American families like the Rockefeller's (North Carolina), the Carnegie's (Kansas), and Stanford's (UCLA), as one Newsweek writer put it this week. While the Tigers have no where near the tradition of their Final Four co-members Kansas (3rd winningest program of all time, notable players included Adolph Rupp and Dean Smith, 13 Final Fours, 2 NCAA Championships), North Carolina (2nd Winningest team of all time, 17 Final Fours, 4 NCAA Championships), or UCLA (5th Winningest team of all time, 18 Final Fours, 11 NCAA Titles!), the Tigers do have tradition of their own.
tradition is being put in the national spotlight. Unfortunately, the Tigers are considered the "Clampett's" that have been invited to a party of royal American families like the Rockefeller's (North Carolina), the Carnegie's (Kansas), and Stanford's (UCLA), as one Newsweek writer put it this week. While the Tigers have no where near the tradition of their Final Four co-members Kansas (3rd winningest program of all time, notable players included Adolph Rupp and Dean Smith, 13 Final Fours, 2 NCAA Championships), North Carolina (2nd Winningest team of all time, 17 Final Fours, 4 NCAA Championships), or UCLA (5th Winningest team of all time, 18 Final Fours, 11 NCAA Titles!), the Tigers do have tradition of their own. Here is a brief synopsis and history of the University of Memphis basketball program. I found it a fantastic read, even though its on Wikipedia. Who can forget the 24-0 run to start the game against hated rival Louisville in 1989 at their place? Or what about the overtime game against Arkansas in 1996, with the fabled "hand-check" by Chris Garner? Some great moments growing up for me, to be sure. There is a more detailed history of U of M basketball on the Memphis website, by clicking here and here.
The Tigers are entering their 3rd Final Four (1973, 1985, 2008), and their first under John Calipari. The Tigers have been a competitive program through the years, despite the fact that they have never been able to settle into a solid conference. The Tigers have moved from the Missouri Valley Conference (1966-1976), to the Metro Conference (1976-1992), then the Great Midwest Conference (1992-1995), and currently Conference USA (1995-present). Each of these conferences has been considered a second tier or lower level conference in basketball, creating a stigma that the Tigers and whatever gaudy record they might have mean nothing compared to major programs.
Despite the Tigers run through less than major conferences, the program and University has not sat around and waited, but has been trying to up their conference affiliation. The moves in 1976, 1992, and 1995 show that. If the Tigers would have been in the SEC or another major conference (which someday I believe they will), I believe the program would have a few more Final Fours and maybe even a national championship in the trophy case.
This weekend, just like last weekend, will see the discussion of two major stigmas about the 
Tigers. First, the aforementioned "Conference USA sucks - how good can the Tigers be?" discussion. This is pretty much a true statement in and of itself. But when its used to define or measure how good Memphis is, this thought process becomes ignorance. Good teams are good because of what they do, not who they play. Playing weaker competition has many benefits many forget - like building confidence, and honing your game under more favorable conditions. Any comentator worth his salt will give another reason for not liking Memphis besides conference affiliation.
Tigers. First, the aforementioned "Conference USA sucks - how good can the Tigers be?" discussion. This is pretty much a true statement in and of itself. But when its used to define or measure how good Memphis is, this thought process becomes ignorance. Good teams are good because of what they do, not who they play. Playing weaker competition has many benefits many forget - like building confidence, and honing your game under more favorable conditions. Any comentator worth his salt will give another reason for not liking Memphis besides conference affiliation. The second stigma is more interesting, and one that the Pope thinks might be up for a socialogist
to discuss. There is a stigma that Memphis plays "streetball" and has players that are "talented" but not necessarily smart. Why? To some, their style of play might not be as graceful or traditional as the other final four teams. To others race might be a factor. Memphis has all African-American players. Memphis is a largely African American populated city. Memphis is rather unknown, as a city, University, and as a basketball team. What do people do when they aren't very familiar with something? They generalize and use stereotypes. So when a person watching Memphis for the first time sees the all African American team with "Memphis" on their jerseys, some people more quickly think of "streetball" or "playground basketball".
to discuss. There is a stigma that Memphis plays "streetball" and has players that are "talented" but not necessarily smart. Why? To some, their style of play might not be as graceful or traditional as the other final four teams. To others race might be a factor. Memphis has all African-American players. Memphis is a largely African American populated city. Memphis is rather unknown, as a city, University, and as a basketball team. What do people do when they aren't very familiar with something? They generalize and use stereotypes. So when a person watching Memphis for the first time sees the all African American team with "Memphis" on their jerseys, some people more quickly think of "streetball" or "playground basketball". 
Streetball? Please. This team is efficient (9 turnovers or less in every tournament game), plays swarming lock down defense on the perimeter, passes very well, and has been working the shot clock of late, taking many shots with under 10 seconds to go after a good halfcourt posession. Dont be fooled - these guys are talented, smart, and have a very distinct method to the madness that ensues on the court.The Pope is rooting for the Tigers. Why? Because watching the Tigers do what we knew they 
could is so sweet. Because proving the doubters wrong never gets old. Because becoming the first team that Dickie V has picked against incorrectly 5 rounds in a row would be awesome. Because this city needs attention drawn to its fantastic basketball tradition, beyond the negative attention that the Memphis Grizzlies have provided recently. Because watching this team win over basketball royalty would go a long long long way towards breaking the stereotype that only major conference teams can win titles. Because winning unites and brings an often divided city together. Should be a great weekend of basketball. GO TIGERS!! Enjoy the team tribute video
could is so sweet. Because proving the doubters wrong never gets old. Because becoming the first team that Dickie V has picked against incorrectly 5 rounds in a row would be awesome. Because this city needs attention drawn to its fantastic basketball tradition, beyond the negative attention that the Memphis Grizzlies have provided recently. Because watching this team win over basketball royalty would go a long long long way towards breaking the stereotype that only major conference teams can win titles. Because winning unites and brings an often divided city together. Should be a great weekend of basketball. GO TIGERS!! Enjoy the team tribute video PS. Oh, by the way, the Tigers have the 2nd best fight song of all colleges, period!
