In the immortal words of Hank Williams Jr., "Are you ready forsome Basketball?"
Ok, he said football, but if there had been a Midnight Madnessthis year, and Williams had been there, he might have said it.
The reason the annual Midnight madness did not happen is becauseThe University of Memphis men's basketball team was alreadypracticing for a pair of pre-season exhibition games in Cancun,Mexico.
The Tigers fared well against the host team Belize both timesthey played them. A Belize team that beat across-the-river rivalArkansas a few weeks ago.
After losing their top two scorers from last season, ChrisMassie and John Grice, head coach John Calipari is going to have tofind some more scoring options for this upcoming season, but thatmay not be as big of a problem as he expected.
In practices since returning from the Cancun trip, the Tigershave a distinct Calipari signature to them. They run a fast-pacedhigh-octane offense and defense, highlighted by lots of fast breaksand swarming defenders.
A player who is expected to lead this team, both on and off thecourt, is senior point guard Antonio Burks.
Burks's speed is what allows Memphis to run a fast-pacedoffense.
"I'm fired up," said Burks. "You know I like running and gunningbut you have got to be under control."
Control is one of the things Calipari will be stressing thisyear due to the athletic nature of this year's squad.
Newcomers Ivan Lopez and Sean Banks are the two new players whoare most likely going to see playing time, with Banks probablystarting.
Even though Memphis has lost most of their inside presence,their backcourt could be one of the best in the country, andversatile too.
"We are going to go inside through dribble drives andpenetration and we are also going to post some different guys, notjust the center," said assistant coach Derek Kellogg. "We'll postsome guards and look to get to the rim off the dribble."
The Tigers return a balanced team with Burks, Jeremy Hunt,Rodney Carney and Anthony Rice all averaging around nine to tenpoints a game last year.
"We're really athletic and fast getting up and down the court,"said Kellogg. "We're going to look to run a little bit more thanthe past."
Injuries could play a factor as this year's squad is alreadysomewhat battered and bruised.
Hunt is coming off surgery on his foot but should be healthy forthe season opening game against Wake Forest.
Almamy Thiero and newcomer Ivan Lopez are also nursing injuries,but should be healthy enough to play if needed around the firstweek of the season.
