Tigers not worth the ticket

There is a solution for the pending criminal cases, for the fistfights in locker rooms, for the academic failures and everything else that has plagued the team.

The solution isn't for the team, however. It's for the fans, and it's a simple one.

Dump 'em!

Just forget them.

For the next four months the only men's basketball in the city is played by guys with an NBA logo on their jerseys.

Don't follow the Tigers. Change the channel if you have to. Don't go to games or listen to the talk radio soap opera.

Why go through the hassle of trying to forget this very forgettable season?

Distancing yourself will save you a little time and a lot of stress. And no one will be able to call you a fair-weather fan for it either. There is a difference between supporting a team that is losing and supporting one that has lost itself.

The Tiger basketball team -- the identity of The University of Memphis athletic program and bedrock of the sports scene in this city -- has crumbled, and they're barely into conference play.

For the last couple of months, the faithful who fill the seats at FedExForum have cringed and tried to look past the bad vibe that has circled this team.

And now they can stop.

Just brush it to the side and become a Grizzlies fan until the summer. Or support some other teams on campus.

I hear the rifle team is supposed to be great this year. What about golf?

It's not like the Tigers haven't had chance after chance already. But what I don't think John Calipari and crew realize is that the fans would be all right without an NCAA appearance.

Heck, most wouldn't hold it against them if they didn't make the postseason at all.

Fans just want a team they can take pride in not only winning, but also being decent individuals and making the right decisions. That's most of the reason everybody has such affection for U of M football these days.

It's not just because they're winning. It's because they're winning the right way. They've shown character and grit, while the basketball season has produced its share of shady characters.

True or not, it's hard to cheer for a guy whose been brought up on assault charges.

It's hard to get excited about a team that might come to blows after the game.

The truly unfortunate part of the season is there are guys on the team who are doing the right things and want to be there.

Anthony Rice, Duane Erwin, Rodney Carney: they, along with some others, have lost this season because of the actions of a few. Truth be told, it was mostly the actions of Sean Banks.

When he didn't show up for the USA Under-21 basketball tryouts this summer, most bought his excuse -- he was homesick.

When he was suspended one game for a lack of effort there was a thought that maybe it would serve as a wakeup call.

When punches were exchanged between Banks and teammate Arthur Barclay after a loss at Texas, it was clear that Banks was just hitting the snooze button.

And by the time he announced he didn't pass the minimum six hours last fall to remain eligible, it was hard to feel anything but sorry for the guy.

Maybe Banks' leaving will be what the team needs. But if this team has proven anything, it's the ability to let you down, so don't pin your hopes on his ineligibility.

Instead, get out to some spring football practices or wander over to a baseball game. There's even a softball team starting, but forget about Tiger basketball.

Maybe by next fall they will get the message: The letters on the front of your jersey mean something. That who you are as a person is more important than who you are as a basketball player. That losing is tolerable, but a lack of decency is not.