The Tiger basketball team took it to the Universal All-Stars in their 96-69 exhibition win Tuesday night in front of an estimated 11,800 fans at The Pyramid.
Memphis head coach John Calipari said he was pleased to get the 27-point victory, but said his Tigers still have a long way to go before Tuesday’s regular-season opener against Wofford.
“I was hoping we would lose the game,” Calipari said. “They came after us and proved that if the other team plays harder than you, then you’re losing.
“I’m so happy (the All-Stars) came right out of the gate and went right for our jugular. I was hoping and praying they had enough energy to do it in the second half.”
Calipari was talking about the 42-41 lead Memphis held on to for dear life at halftime. The Universal All-Stars outhustled the Tigers in the first half, diving, scrapping and running the floor. Led by Chris Massie’s 10 first-half points, the Tiger’s stayed ahead on talent alone. Massie led Memphis in scoring with 19 points and added nine rebounds in 28 minutes of play.
Memphis point guard Antonio Burks, who finished without an assist, but tallied three steals and 16 points on 8-of-13 shooting, agreed with Calipari that the effort wasn’t there for the Tigers in the first half.
“I was a little nervous at first, but in the second half I came out more aggressive,” Burks said. “We knew they were good. We also knew they couldn’t sustain that emotion. (Halftime) was the first time I’ve ever seen (Calipari) get on us like that.”
Memphis responded in the second half, outscoring the All-Stars 54-28 and going after the ball on defense. Calipari said he was pleased with freshman guard Dajuan Wagner, sophomore guard Scooter McFadgon and senior forward Kelly Wise in the second half.
Both Wagner and Wise finished with double-doubles. Wagner scored 11 points on 3-of-13 shooting from the field, but dished out a game-high 10 assists.
Calipari said he had no problem with Wagner shooting 23 percent from the field.
“Wagner proved that he isn’t Superman,” Calipari said. “I want him to shoot because if he doesn’t hit, we’re tipping it in. I think Kelly got three of them.”
Wise finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds in 23 minutes. One of his four offensive rebounds resulted in a dunk off a Wagner layup that rimmed out with just under 18 minutes to play.
“Kelly was so active in the second half,” Calipari said. “It’s like you look up, and all of a sudden we’re up 15.”
McFadgon, who finished with 12 points (5-of-7), five rebounds and an assist, has been the Tiger version of Mr. Reliable through two games. Calipari said McFadgon’s steady play keeps Memphis on track.
“When Scooter’s not in the game, we look similar to last year’s team,” Calipari said. “It’s not his athleticism. He’s a steady player and he makes heady plays.”
As for the team, Calipari said he still has some tweaking to do.
“We’ve got to figure out who’s ready to play basketball,” Calipari said. “We’ve also got to figure out how to take this thing to another level.”
