Hours of practice everyday for a couple of minutes of playing time every couple of weeks might not sound worth it, unless you’re Nathaniel Root.
The former walk-on doesn’t see the court except for the final few minutes of games — and that’s only if Memphis has a sizeable lead, but Root, who will play his final home game this Saturday when No.24 Memphis (19-5 , 10-3 in Conference USA) takes the court against the Cincinnati Bearcats (15-8, 7-5 in C-USA), said he couldn’t ask for anything more.
“It’s been a dream come true,” Root said. “Ever since I was young I wanted to play here.”
Root, whose name is more likely to be shouted from the student-section than by the PA announcer, said he appreciates the fan’s support.
“Every game I hear (the crowd yell ‘Root’) and I appreciate it.” Root said. “It’s good to know that people like me and want to see me play.”
Root is one of four Memphis seniors playing their final games at The Pyramid. Earl Barron, Chris Massie and John Grice will also be honored before the game.
Barron said it doesn’t seem like it has been four years since he came to The University of Memphis.
“I can remember when I first stepped onto the court at Midnight Madness four years ago,” the 7-footer said. “It doesn’t seem that long ago, but now it’s coming to an end and I’m just going to try and finish things out with a win.”
Barron said he has no regrets about his decision to play at The U of M and said he wouldn’t have changed anything that he’s done since he’s been here.
“I wouldn’t do anything differently,” said Barron, who is 34 points shy of being the 37th player to score1,000 points. “I don’t regret anything I’ve done.”
Grice missed a lot of action and lost a year of eligibility because of grades, but said he was happy with his decision to not give up on getting his grades up and returning to the team.
“I’m glad I stuck with it,” Grice said. “To make sure I have the will power to stick with something and that when I see something good I can stay with it.”
Grice said he couldn’t think of a team he’d rather play for his final home game than the Bearcats.
“It doesn’t get any better,” Grice said. “A packed house, a big-time rivalry — it’s going to be great.”
If Grice wants to leave The Pyramid with a smile on his face he knows Memphis will have to break their streak of losses to Cincinnati. The Bearcats have bettered the Tigers in the teams’ last six meetings.
Head coach John Calipari has already seen his team break down a few barriers this season, like beating No. 3 Louisville at Freedom Hall, defeating another top 10 team (Illinois) at home, and apparently set to receive a bid to the NCAA tournament. Saturday the Tigers will try to break down yet another wall.
“We know Cincinnati is a barrier for us to break, just like Louisville, on the road, was a barrier for this program to break,” Calipari said. “You remember the one-point game my first year. We were up one and at the buzzer — they throw a ball in. You remember the game a year ago when we’re up two with 6 seconds to go and it hits the rim three times and goes in.”
After bitter, last-second losses in each of the last two seasons, Calipari said the difference this year is the Tigers are playing for respect instead of a spot in the tournament.
“Yes, we have a barrier to break,” Calipari said. “But, the good news is that this is one of those pride games more than it is a significant game for our program to win.”
Calipari said he was weary of a streaky Cincinnati team that, when they have everything going for them, can dominate games.
“I’ll tell you, they’re a good team,” Calipari said. “They beat No. 12 Oklahoma State (61-50). They beat the living pee out of No. 3 Louisville (101-80). They beat the living pee out of No.5 Oregon (77-52). They have beaten teams big, so we know what we’re facing. They’re a tough team, they’re a hard-nosed team, they play unbelievable defense, they’re very, very physical and I don’t think they’ll be afraid (of us).”
Sophomore guard Anthony Rice said he is expecting a physical game when the two teams, each known for their aggressive play, lock horns this weekend.
“We’re going to come out hard just like they’re going to come out hard,” Rice said. “We’re going to bring it just like they’re going to bring it. There isn’t going to be any backing down.”
Memphis’ lockdown defense has been shutting opponents down lately, in holding the Tiger’s last four opponents under 40 percent shooting from the field.
However, the Bearcats’ defense has been oppressive all year and the 60.5 points they give up per game is 15th best in the nation and the lowest in Conference USA.
